When I started my Etsy shop back in 2009, I had hopes of it becoming a successful platform to sell my artwork on. It sounded like a pipe dream…to sell what I love making to customers around the world. The first year and a half I didn’t really know much of what to do. Sales were slow but at that time, I wasn’t really putting pressure on myself to sell. I was putting pressure on myself to create meaningful things. I focused more on making artwork that allowed me to grow, express myself and have something to look forward to and dream about. The first 100 sales in my shop, which probably took over a year and a half to hit…all felt amazing. I knew my progress was slower than what others might think, but for me, I was finally taking the time to create what I needed and wanted to.
Blue Girl, one of my favorite pieces, which is now being sold at IKEA stores globally. If you would have told me that when I started my shop….that my artwork would later be sold to one of the largest retailers in the world, I would have not believed you!
The early stages of my Etsy shop were giving me hope and allowing me to heal from a crumbling decade long relationship. I threw myself into my art, when I found out my husband at the time had been unfaithful for more than half our marriage. I was moving all over the country to support his career, so I often was left alone (self-isolated which everyone can relate to more now) and creating was a huge way to get me out of bed in the morning and take the reigns of my own life and mental headspace. So, it’s no surprise that I am always encouraging anyone who asks about how I made my artistic dreams come to fruition, that you must use your own life experiences and story to help you express yourself and heal. What is art for, if it’s not for healing?
It wasn’t long after that first chunk of time, that my work got better. The more I created from my heart and the strong need to, the work got profoundly greater. People were connected to it. It became more and more emotive. I kept mentally thinking, “If you build it, they will come.” From Field of Dreams. And slowly, but surely…they did. And people began sharing the work online and in publications. Brands were contacting me to paint for them. It was all so surreal. There was a huge shift in momentum. And it all came from my heart, my work and God granting me grace to keep me going.
All That Glitters, from the early days of my shop.
My first Flash Sale, I did it on a whim and didn’t really have a platform to share about it on at the time. No Instagram audience at all yet. I just had my Etsy shop banner to advertise and made a few announcements about it. I wasn’t really sure if I would get many sales. When the sale happened, I was so surprised that I had hundreds of prints sold in one day!! I had an audience that was engaged in what I was making, and excited about it. I was texting my best friend who lives back in m hometown of Las Vegas and she was asking me how the sale went and if I needed help. Minutes later she booked a plane ticket to come help me. Ashleigh and I grew so much as friends by then making it a tradition every year since to have her fly out every year and help me for the sale. This year, because of COVID, she won’t be able to join. But luckily we will have other excuses to spend time together, since we are BFFFFFF! And I will have hired help for the fulfilling of orders to make sure we get out the art to you all as swiftly as possible!!
So make sure to mark your calendars for Tuesday, June 23rd for my Final Flash Sale in my Etsy shop!!! Here are some FAQ’s about the sale and why I am closing my Etsy shop after 2020:
1. My Etsy shop has long served me as the platform for my direct-to-customer sales. It also is the place I have been able to create personal work and have your PROFOUND support on! However, as I am growing as an artist and where I am at in my career I feel it is time to let go of my Etsy shop and embrace change to move forward. I have outgrown the platform, and I need to respect myself and honor the new change I am making. I will have a new shop built into my website, where my goal is to slow down and create larger, original works of art and only offer limited edition, signed/numbered prints. Elevating how I create and sell. The way I have been selling will no longer serve me and my energy. So that’s it in a nutshell!
2. The Flash Sale will include the new original paintings you have seen on Instagram, as well as prints and digital downloads at 50% off! At MIDNIGHT EST on June 23rd the coupon code goes into effect, which I will also announce on my Instagram to start the sale. So be sure if you want any of the originals to put a reminder on your phone. The first hour of the sale is always the busiest and originals go fast!
3. The sale ends in 24 hours. So grab what you love. As I will be retiring most of my prints after 2020. Yes, that’s also a huge thing for me to do. Change is not easy…but I believe it’s all serving me in my next step forward with new dreams and hopes.
Porch Party, one of the new original paintings for next weeks’ Flash Sale!
4. I want to thank each and everyone of you who have supported me in my Etsy shop over the years. It is hard to express in words and to fully even process what this has done for my life. I always hope that through what I do, that I can INSPIRE you to go for your dreams. Remember this when you start comparing your start to someone’s decade long successes….I AM JUST LIKE YOU. I knew NO ONE. I was not highly connected. I had about $100 to spend on art supplies when I started making work for my shop. I had rejections, failures and still do. Just remember to stick with it because art is a form of healing, self-love and self-belief and that you have the power to change your life. Don’t wait for someone to tell you you’re good enough, or talented or worthy enough. You are. And once you figure that out without anyone telling you so…YOU WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
I love you all, and can’t wait for Tuesday!!! xoxo
Jess