My name is Jessica, I live in a small town in Saskatchewan Canada, with my dog with hopes of two or three more. I post pages on here about handmade things that I create. I also keep a blog of what I’m up to and links to good things from all over.
I’ve been told that Libra’s don’t have hobbies, they just like to try all different things, I have found this to be true. I love trying new things and when I discover that I’m not half bad at it, I think I can make a business out of it. The problem is I lose interest in one thing quickly and have to move on to another. My granny is also famous for believing that I can do anything I put my mind to. We will be in the city shopping or perusing Pinterest and Etsy together and she would say “You could do that.” So I would go off and do it, then go overboard and get everything I could possibly need to set up shop. Here is a rundown of what I have started and not continued on with.
When I first moved to Saskatchewan I started a photography business. It started out as JRae Photography and eventually became Jessica Rae Photography. It actually did quite well and was well rounded with different types of photography, weddings, newborns, pets, portraits, family, etc. And I really did love it, but I didn’t like having to do it. So I eventually just stopped advertising and stopped taking on jobs. I still get requests for it and sometimes I agree.
Winters in Saskatchewan are very long, dark and cold. And since I’m not one for winter activities I generally like to learn something new (learning piano has been on the winter to do list for years) or start a new hobby. I knew a girl who decorated cakes and would post them all over Facebook. Sure they were nice enough, but for the price she was selling them for and the amount of orders she was getting, I was sure I could do better. So I did. I started Nested Bakery. I spent my evenings making fondant figures and intricate flowers and practicing icing techniques. Then I moved on to decorating sugar cookies. All I did was pin ideas on cookie decorating and watching tutorials. I made them for everyone for Christmas and then the orders started coming in for specific designs and for birthdays and special occasions. I lacked the self confidence in being able to do it so I turned them down.
I pulled out my grandma’s old Jenome sewing machine that she gave me. I got obsessed with buying fabric and started making burp cloths, baby blankets, car seat covers, aprons, stuffed animals and everything baby related because I had a slight touch of baby fever. Thus emerged Jay’s Boutiques. I made labels and sewed them into everything I produced…then I hated the name.
In between all that I got into knitting and crocheting. I made wool hats and mittens for anyone who asked for them. It consumed my evening making two toques every night. They would take about an hour and a half if I didn’t get a hand cramp. I went to make one last night and I was so bored of it I couldn’t even get one row done.
The latest and greatest is handmade soaps, lip balms and body scrubs. I enjoy making these the most. I have finally found a great affordable supplier so I can keep the stock up. My boyfriend is a cheap farmer (I mean that in the most loving way possible) and his mind revolves around ways to make money. He is the one who keeps me going with this and has my products being sold in a local salon and encourages me to reach out to other businesses. Although I hear a lot about cost margins and profitability and that’s not really my style. I pretty much used to give it all away.
I started all these different things and would start a blog specifically for them and twitter accounts and Facebook pages and I just couldn’t keep up. I don’t like to focus on just one thing at a time. So I present to you Hudson and Blake. The story behind the name will be revealed eventually.
I am just approaching my 24th birthday and I have lead an interesting life so far and I would really like to share it with you. I have travelled, loved, lost, and created. I have gone through some serious illness and have found the love of my life. We are going to get close you and I, so I hope you enjoy.