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Maker Spotlight: Jackie Barron of Flowering Fields Designs

Our maker spotlight series not only allows you to learn more about the maker, it also allows you to learn from the maker! 


Follow along and learn insight and receive advice right from the makers who make this creative maker’s market world so beautiful. 


Without further ado…


Meet Jackie Barron. Through Flowering Fields Designs, Jackie turns original pen and ink florals into thoughtful paper goods designed to be shared and treasured. Her work blends joy, beauty, and heartfelt intention in every piece.


Name: Jackie Barron

Business Name: Flowering Fields Designs


Image provided by Jackie of Flowering Fields Designs.
Image provided by Jackie of Flowering Fields Designs.

What do you make? 

I create greeting cards, prints, stickers, and totes printed from my original pen & ink floral art.


Describe your brand in three words.

Joyful, pretty, heartfelt


What inspired you to start your creative business?

I have always been obsessed with paper products, so when I began my artist's journey, it just seemed to make sense to create greeting cards with my art. I also find that upcoming markets and holidays create needed "deadlines" to help me focus on finishing my designs, and a place to show them off. ;)


What’s been the most rewarding moment in your creative journey so far?

As an artist, it is so validating and meaningful when people pause as they walk by, smile, and say how pretty they find my art. And every once in a while, there's that person that especially loves my work, and that really feeds my heart.

Image provided by Jackie of Flowering Fields Designs.
Image provided by Jackie of Flowering Fields Designs.

What’s one mistake you made early on that helped you grow?

I severely underestimated demand for my cards, printing 10 each of my original 4 designs plus 10 Mother's Day cards (my first market was early May of that year). I ended up writing "Happy Mother's Day" in calligraphy, by hand, on the cards with no messages and reprinting right away. While it's daunting to spend the money and do larger print runs without knowing if anyone will buy your stuff, by having more inventory, I'm free to do more markets, look for more wholesale opportunities, and spend less time wondering if I have enough inventory. Just about everything sells eventually, and some people will buy anything if it's on clearance.


If you could give one piece of advice to a new vendor applying to their first market, what would it be?

Don't go into it expecting it to be perfect or to have all the answers. It is definitely a learning process, and you may find that you really have no idea how your work will be perceived. I am still just shocked when people choose my original designs over the newer pieces that I think are so much better.


Image provided by Jackie of Flowering Fields Designs.
Image provided by Jackie of Flowering Fields Designs.

What does “community over competition” mean to you as a maker?

I have learned so much from the generous vendors that have shared what works for them, what markets I should look into, and just a willingness to watch each other's spaces throughout the day. I'm only partially joking when I think of my vendor neighbor as my bff for the day.


Why should someone buy from you over a big-box store?

My cards are printed on premium paper with premium envelopes and matching sticker-seals. Every card is meant to be an extension of me as the artist creating something unique and special, and of you--the person who will give this card to someone special. I kind of doubt that Hallmark is really thinking about any of us when it produces cards.


If your brand had a mascot, what would it be and why?

A butterfly, or a buzzy bee. When I show my husband a new design I've just finished, he always says, "you know what it could use... a little buzzy bee." I started adding a little bee or a little butterfly to balance a space in the design that needs something, and those butterflies grew from a tiny cartoonish butterfly to more substantial monarchs and swallowtails. As some people are triggered by bees, I think I will stick with exploring a variety of butterflies for now.


Image provided by Jackie of Flowering Fields Designs.
Image provided by Jackie of Flowering Fields Designs.

What’s one tool or supply you absolutely can’t live without?

That would be my calligraphy dip pen, which started this whole adventure.


What do you listen to or watch when working on your products or artwork? 

I almost always listen to music when I'm creating. Surprisingly, I've found that my go-to music doesn't always work for creating art. Oftentimes, words/lyrics can distract me, as well as structured songs. Piano jazz is great, world music, and a variety of dj mixes I've found on YouTube have all worked well.


Make sure to give Jackie and Flowering Fields Designs a follow over at @FloweringFieldsDesigns and keep a watch out for where to see her in person next! 

 
 
 

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