Artist: Jackie of New York
As fall is coming I decided another artist who knows the value of a good quality scarf was in order. Aside from that she has beautiful shots of things she is truely inspired by in her new town and elsewhere.
1. Sum up your current life in one sentence.
My life is a crazy whirlwind; I never know what is coming next!
2. What do you make?
My first love is photography. I love going out and exploring new places and taking LOADS of pictures. This is the majority of what I am offering on Etsy. I hate to be idle, so I am often exploring other mediums and that has led to the knitting and crocheting. I make handknit scarves, hats and some baby items like mittens and booties. At various times, I also do some painting and drawing.
3. What inspired you to start selling your work?
I started using my photographs as a way to decorate the bland walls of my very white apartment. Everyone who came in (from friends and acquaintances to the UPS delivery man) all assumed that was what I did for a living, so I decided to sell some prints.
4. What is something you’ve always wanted to learn how to do or make?
I would love to try learning metalwork. This is one thing I have never done, despite forays in glass, wood, fabric, etc. One of these days….
5. How did you learn the (main) skill you sell in your shop?
My mother taught me to knit and crochet when I was little, and I decided to try it again a couple of years ago. Turns out, it’s like riding a bike – as soon as I picked up the needles, it all came back! The photography is self taught.
6. Where do you find inspiration in your day-to-day, or during creative slumps?
Whenever I am blocked, I have to go somewhere outdoors. I love parks or any green spaces, and places near the water are great. Since moving to New York, the Brooklyn Bridge is my new love – all the bridges are really a great inspiration; the sheer magnitude is staggering.
7. If you could be doing anything anywhere in 5 years, regardless of real life, what would that be?
If money and reality were no object, in five years I would be living in Southern Italy in a little cottage on the sea, with olive trees and rosemary everywhere!
8. Do you sell at festivals or markets? How does this compare to online sales?
I have just moved to New York, so I haven’t had much chance to get my work out yet, but I have participated in the Artists & Fleas Market in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. This is an awesome, year-round, indoor market with fantastic artists from the New York area. I was really pleased with the results.
9. Outside of your shop life, what else do you do?
I am a graduate student at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, studying Urban Planning. This takes up a fair amount of my time, but I really love it, and Brooklyn is such an inspiration for my studies. From my apartment, I can see the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges, as well as the Empire State Building – it’s an awesome and humbling thing to wake up to every day.
10. What kind of things do you have planned for the future of your business?I would like to use some of my imagery in other projects – possibly apparel or accessories. The idea is not fully formed yet; I am sure late one night, I will get some inspiration and a few weeks later you will see it in my shop!
11. What is the best piece of advice you've ever received, regarding business or otherwise?
I think the best piece of advice I have received is to just “go for it”. Even if you don’t sell a single thing, expressing yourself is SO important. You may be surprised – other people do tend to appreciate your work.
Jackie has kindly offered a coupon for you to save on both her scarves and her prints, just for reading this interview!
When you have finished your shopping, please enter coupon code SuzLuc into the message to seller at the final purchase. Do not pay until she sends you an updated invoice with your great deal!
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