When I opened my Etsy shop back in 2009…I thought it was my last chance. My last shot at taking my artwork seriously and seeing if I could ever sell my creations. I remember clearly thinking, “I can try this…and if I don’t sell a thing at least I know I tried.” Opening the shop gave me hope. Maybe things could change in my life. Maybe I was allowed to create, and be curious. Maybe I was allowed to believe in myself. Believing in myself, was something I had not really done after 27 years of living and I knew I needed to start changing my life and thinking.
One of my 1st best selling artworks, Trees as Veins. It was one of the first of a series of paintings that felt symbolic of my life and helped me process the pain I was living with at the time.
I had been going through a painful summer in 2009 in my personal life-and happened to come across a website called Etsy that allowed creatives to sell their goods online. It seemed so exciting that you could build your own virtual marketplace. It seemed to bridge the gap of trying to sell on Ebay…and be a more nuanced way to sell. For many, I have no doubt it changed their life just like it changed mine.
In a few short years I was selling full time, shipping multiple orders daily and getting brands like Target, Lancôme and many others seeking me out to commission artwork. It blew my mind. It allowed me to see, that I was always in the driver seat. One empowering change after the other I was able to see that I was the creator of my life. I didn’t have to be passive, or let things happen to me. I didn’t need anyone to define what I was creating, because I knew what it meant to me deeply and how much creating changed how I viewed myself. And that was something bigger than me. Something I felt deeply I needed to help others learn to along the way. For me, my gift will always be that I can create but secondly that I can help others know of their own self-worth and the power they have to change their lives.
Like many people who start their own company, you become a bit of a control freak. You know that mistakes cost you, and are there to teach you. And letting go of control and allowing others to help you takes faith and trust. For many years during my Etsy shop I was so afraid that my dreams would be taken from me, that I needed to do it all myself and outsourcing was not the right decision for me at the time. I was ready to hustle, and work hard. I realized quickly how gritty I was. Nothing was stopping me, even when the chips were down I still knew I was going to succeed. That type of mentality has gotten me through the highs and lows of being an artist. Yet, doing it all yourself all the time is not sustainable. I have grown tremendously since that decade ago. In ways I can hardly fathom. And as I have grown, my work has progressed tremendously. And I realize that my Etsy shop, no longer reflects the growth I have seen personally and professionally. I know what my art is worth, and I know where I am going. Change is inevitable. And I want a shop that reflects my taste, and sophisticated sensibility.
I keep telling those close to me, “Everything I have now, is because I thought about it happening. So if I change my thoughts to reflect what is next…they are already on their way to me.”
My world map series from 2011/12 became a huge best selling series in my shop for years.
I want to create less. I want to slow down. I will be charging more. Because I am worth it. I will create large artworks, and things that you have not seen me do. It will be amazing and be the breath of fresh air I need with my work. I will have a new shop, in 2021 that will be an elevated way to shop with me. When I do offer prints, they will be in limited edition signed/numbered. Originals will be larger and more high end. This is my dream for what I see next in my career.
I am working hard to be able to offer as much of a savings to my loyal customers for my Etsy Shop Closing sale. I want this to be a special time for all of us. To really honor the work I have been able to create and share with you all. Each series…is and has always been a true reflection of my life. And I have been honored to have you all support me and build me up. Each small sale has built this incredible life for me. And I cannot wait to grow and share with you the next chapter. Most of my prints in my shop I will be retiring, and they will be 40% off. There will be door prizes and 75% off originals. The originals will be posted throughout November and the sale will officially go live at 10am EST November 27th at www.jessicaillustration.etsy.com. The Etsy shop closing sale will run until December 4th. But it may change on how it all goes. I obviously have never had a sale like this, and I’m looking to hire out a lot of help for the fulfillment of the orders. It will be one of the more exciting moments of my career and a very emotional time for me. I really look forward to sharing this with you all next month.
My shop contains old and new pieces. And I am so thankful for all your support of my art over the years.