Tag Archives: philadelphia

philly creatives – andrea fairservice

andrea-fairservice-philly-creatives

 

Allow me the pleasure of introducing you to Andrea Fairservice of Song & Dance Design. Full time graphic/textile designer by day, painter/photographer/craft enthusiast by night. Between juggling her full time job and independent work as an artist, Andrea lives a very busy lifestyle, but stays centered through yoga (wow). Drawing inspiration from nature, her detailed, watercolor crystal paintings have become one of her favorite things to paint, and has garnered her great press (they’re to die for). Andrea’s etsy shop offers a variety of goodies, including art prints, custom stamps, notecards, and drawings. Check out her impressive portfolio + be sure to wander over to her Etsy shop!

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define creative.

The process of feeling inspired and acting on it.

how did you get into the business of making things?

My Mom has always been a crafty/artistic person. For as long as I can remember she would take part in local craft fairs and as I got a little older she began to encourage me to make my own things and sell them with her at her table. Over the years I’ve held onto that little spark of making and selling my creations and it’s begun to blossom into something different with my design and fine arts work.

at what point did you decide to make your passion a business, and what inspired you?

After so many of my friends and family kept telling me I really should try to sell my work and get out there more. Then, once I had a few people outside of that circle request work from me, I really felt like I could do it.

what brought you to philadelphia, and how does the city inform your work?

My senior year of college I got an internship with a toy company right outside of Philly. I was extremely lucky and they offered me a designer position when I graduated so I packed up and moved. Now I work at a textile studio in Fishtown and find that I spend more and more time exploring in the city. I find so much about the city inspiring from the different neighborhoods, to the people and changes in scenery. In college most of my peers (including myself) focused on moving to New York for designer opportunities. I never really considered Philly until, through a lucky series of events, I got my job. Now I absolutely love it, and coming from a small town up north Philly is just the right size for me.

what is the most challenging aspect of running your own business?

Finding enough time in the day to accomplish everything I want to accomplish!

how + when did you get your first sale?

My actual first sale of something I’ve made was probably at a craft show with my Mom as a child. My first freelance client however came soon after graduating college, I helped out a friend from high school design a website for a local salon. It was definitely an interesting learning experience.

has social media helped to further your business?

I’m not a big social media person. I ditched my Facebook years ago and only really tweet something if I post something on my Instagram. I’ve interacted with a few successful people in the blog/self employed world and was really taken a back by how much of a slave they were to their social media outlets. So because of that I’ve made the conscious decision to just casually stick with Instagram and my blog. Although I only really post something maybe once a day I’ve received many job opportunities with clients all over the place and have made many valuable connections through my followers. It’s also helped me take on creative projects that I otherwise may not of perused on my own, which I am very thankful of.

when did you know you’d “made it” as a creative entrepreneur? 

I’m not really sure if I will ever feel like I’ve totally made it. Just because I know as I grow my goals will grow with me.

what projects are you most proud of?

The originals I’ve made for clients always hold a special place in my heart. Recently I finished a series of watercolor birthstone paintings for a family and I also just collaborated with a local artist to hand letter a Ketubah for her niece’s wedding that I was so honored to be a part of.

what drives you most as an independent creative?

The practice of always learning something new. Each new project is an opportunity for me to learn and grow as an artist and professional and I love that about the field I’m in.

 

please check out andrea elsewhere… etsy | blog | instagram | pinterest

**philly creatives is a regular feature…browse the archives here**

bon weekend

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Happy Friday friends! I’m sharing our fun adventures in Philly over on the Little Hip Squeaks blog + IG feed today, I hope you’ll follow along! We had a day of carousel rides, miniature golf, and yummy treats. I hope you have a fun fall weekend planned…why does October always go by so quickly?! Too fast for me. Here are some links for your weekend reading…

BON WEEKEND!

playlist – ode to fall

instagram vs. real life

common grammar mistakes

thrifted + wicked halloween recipes

four ways to ace a black kitchen design

philly creatives – sarah stone

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Meet Sarah Stone – graphic designer, artist, fellow redhead and hard-working mama (we’ve bonded over the last two especially). We first met online thanks to mutual friends and a love for all things design. She has a clean and modern aesthetic, and a knack for making her clients’ dreams a reality! Her portfolio is varied and includes logo/brand identity, social media campaigns, packaging design, and more. Most recently she has started offering workshops at her studio, and has an upcoming modern calligraphy workshop + brunch with Christie Jones of bedsidesign (click here for more information). Be sure to visit her blog for design inspiration and photos of her little redheaded lady Eva…so sweet.

 

explain your business and the idea behind it.

I own a boutique design studio called cleanline studio. I typically work with small-scale, mostly female creative clients in design related fields like interior design, blogging, photography, etc. I love really getting to know my clients before the process starts to ensure that result is even better than their original vision. I also blog, create stationery, and now host creative workshops in my studio!

how did you get into the business of making things?

After I left my advertising agency job, I really wanted to diversify the way I make money and create some design work that isn’t dictated by the interests of a specific client. That’s why I started my stationery shop. I’m a pretty artsy crafty gal in general; I like to sew, paint, make jewelry, etc. and it’s possible that I’ll stock such items in my shop in the future.

at what point did you decide to make your passion a business, and what inspired you?

I left my ad agency job when my daughter was almost two, because I was sick of the brutal commute and lifestyle of the advertising world. Ironically, I devote more hours to work now than when I had a salaried job, but my time is spent on projects I truly enjoy. It’s better for me, and the flexibility of being self-employed is better for my family.

as you’ve developed your business/brand, what has surprised you most?

The amount of time I spend sending emails, writing proposals, meeting new clients, and networking really shocked me in the first year of owning my own business. In the ad agency world, I almost never interacted with clients. I’d go to work, sit down at my desk, and do JUST design work for 8+ hours a day. Now, I maybe spend half of my day designing. I actually like working with clients, so this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, just something to be aware of when setting your rates.

when did you know you’d “made it” as a creative entrepreneur?

I’m not sure I’ve had that specific moment just yet, lol. Honestly, being a creative entrepreneur is a rocky road. On slow weeks I question if this is the right business for myself and my family, then other weeks I’m on top of the world because of an amazing opportunity that’s presented itself thanks to my business or blog.

how has social media helped to further your business?

Tremendously! I think it can be pretty tricky to break into an online client market and social media is a big help with that. I’ve found social media to be a great way to expand my blog and website’s reach, and meet creative entrepreneurs whom I’ve been able to collaborate with since starting my business.

what brought you to philadelphia, and how does the city inform your work?

I’m originally from about an hour north of Philadelphia. I went to SCAD in Savannah, Georgia for college, and it felt like a natural progression to be in Philadelphia after graduation. I am constantly inspired and impressed by the art and design community in Philadelphia. From co-working spaces, to art galleries, to fantastic blogs, to incredible designers of all shapes and sizes, Philadelphia has got it going on. In the eight years that I’ve lived in the city, I’ve seen such growth in the independent design community and I feel that I really feed off of that momentum.

where do you work from? tell us about your office and/or studio.

Since the beginning of the year, I made the commitment to myself to get a studio space outside of the home. In February, I moved into an awesome, light-filled space in Fishtown. It’s large and quiet with a cute lounging area, whitewashed brick walls, high ceilings, and open floor plan that make it ideal for blog and product photography. I’m also planning to start using the space for occasional creative classes in the fall.

what does a typical work day look like for you?

It actually varies quite a bit throughout the week! Mondays and Fridays I’m in my studio all day. I try to get in by 9AM, and I stay til about 6:30. During that time, I’m blogging, designing, emailing, sipping coffee, and skyping with clients. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, my daughter is in preschool until noon, so I’m only able to put in half days of work. I am a total list-maker which enables me to stay organized and on schedule when I have limited time. On those days when I don’t have a full 8 hours in the studio, I’m often on my laptop in the evenings after Eva’s in bed. It’s a little crazy, but I make it work!

what inspires you?

My garden, photography, vintage botanicals, fabric, pinterest, street art, fine art, and sculpture (to name just a few). I find inspiration comes when you least expect it. Sometimes it comes from the most predictable place like a design magazine, and sometimes it comes from a tiny flamingo painted on a fire hydrant near my house. I just never know until it happens!

 

please check out Sarah elsewhere… facebook / twitter / instagram / pinterest / bloglovin

**philly creatives is a regular feature..read the archives here**

calling all philly creatives!

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Hello friends! I’m anxious to get back to featuring philly creatives on a regular basis, so in addition to the people I’ve already invited, I’d like to open it up for submissions! If you’re a creative, in any field, and living in the Philadelphia area, please get in touch so we can connect…I’d love to meet you (whether in person or via email)! I continue to be inspired by the talent here, and the supportive community surrounding it. I enjoy sharing stories of artists and entrepreneurs…they are always inspiring. For immediate inspiration, you can check out my archives + twitter list! Also, pay a visit to the awesome new project by husband and wife team Jen + Dave Cooper, South of Brooklyn. They’ve already featured some amazing creatives, including my friends Shauna Alterio + Stephen Loidolt! I guarantee you’ll be inspired.

merci…I look forward to hearing from you!

philly creatives – jahje ives

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As an artist, entrepreneur, and Philadelphia native, it’s only natural that I thought of  the talented Jahje Ives to inaugurate the Philly Creatives series. Her childhood was rooted in creativity, and she was destined to become a maker. While nesting with her first child, her business was born, and her artistry is evident in each of her handcrafted creations. Her innovative designs have helped to advance the industry of baby + kids design, which is something I am also personally passionate about. I’m lucky to call Jahje a friend, and she is just as lovely and gifted as she appears online. She is truly an artist in every respect, a successful business owner, and proud mother of two…I hope you enjoy learning more about her background, inspiration, and creative journey. A big thank you to Jahje for her enthusiastic participation!

 

explain your business and the idea behind it.

My company is Baby Jives Co which creates heirloom mobiles inspired by the magic and wonder of childhood.  My background is in painting and sculpture so I often think of the mobiles as props or sculptures. I tend to pay attention to the smallest detail and want to make works that can grow up with a child or simply exist in any home.

at what point did you decide to make your passion a business, and what inspired you? 

When I was pregnant with my first child I searched for a unique mobile that was not made of plastic or covered with cartoon animals. I didn’t find anything I liked so I decided to make one using fabric that I had been hoarding for years (I love fabric!). After it was done many of my friends who were having babies asked me to make them mobiles too. I thought, hmm this may be something so I registered my shop name with Etsy shortly before my son was born in January 2009 but it took me almost a year and a half to get things ready (and to get my son sleeping). I opened my shop in August 2010.

what is the story behind your business name?

Baby Jives was our nickname for the baby when I was pregnant. We didn’t know if we were having a boy or girl so we simply referred to the baby as “baby Jives” which is an abbreviation of our names – Joe and Jahje Ives. Then our son was born, got a real name and I kept the name Baby Jives for my business.

what brought you to philadelphia, and how does the city inform your work?

Birth brought me to Philadelphia. I was born outside the city in Doylestown and then shortly thereafter my parents moved to Narberth. I was raised there then decided to go to University of the Arts for my bachelors degree in Crafts. So I am a Philly girl, born and bred. That said, I’ve never really thought about how the city might inform my work. If anything, visiting places with my kids like Morris Arboretum and the Azalea Gardens by the PMA (two of our favorite spots) do inspire me when I head back to my studio.

how did you get into the business of making things?

I went to school at University of the Arts for Crafts and then Tyler School of Art for Painting so I’ve been studying to be maker for years but it wasn’t until I was laid off following the birth of my son that I decided I wanted to try being a maker full time. Before his arrival I had been an adjunct professor at Tyler, teaching video and drawing and a part time assistant at a construction company. I decided to make the leap into my forming my own company and have never regretted it.

what inspires you?

My children. I want to create things that make their eyes light up and that will last…to be handed down to their kids years from now.The things I cherish most are those that are imperfect and have a real sense of the person who made them.  I have always loved making things – it’s just part of who I am. When I bring my kids into my studio they always smile and reach for my mobiles. Knowing that my work elicits that kind of response is what keeps me going on those late nights when I am running on fumes.

how has social media helped to further your business?

I love social media…sometimes a bit too much as I have to purposely lose my phone to disconnect. You can find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and I use them all in different ways. I use Twitter mainly as a platform to talk to other businesses owners and friends – it’s like a virtual water cooler for me. Facebook used to be my main way to connect with customers but as they have made it harder in the past year to reach your customers and now make you pay for your posts to reach a larger audience, I use that more to post articles about Baby Jives Co, show pictures from customers and share select images from Instagram. The newest for me is Instagram-I joined last fall and I have worked pretty aggressively to grow my presence there with amazing results. Right now I find that I get at least one sale a day from Instagram and this month was my busiest ever which I know was a result of it, since I was doing a giveaway each week with other brands I love to celebrate my 3rd year of business. I post a mix of business life with studio shots, behind the scenes, new release images and my personal life, focusing on more universal family moments and always keeping in mind to make it my best photos (not just every shot I take of my kids being cute).

when did you know you’d “made it” as a creative entrepreneur?

This past year I’ve had my mobiles featured TWICE in Pregnancy and Newborn Magazine which was pretty thrilling. Even more so because they had simply found me, I hadn’t sent them a press kit or anything.

what advice would you give to someone considering a similar path?

I just celebrated by 3rd year of business last month and shared 3 things I think have contributed to my success, but I think the most important aspect of my success is being original. If you want to gain notice in this very big world filled with amazing people you need to have a clear vision of who you are and what you are not.

what is the most challenging aspect of running your own business?

When you are just starting out you have to work almost non-stop. Knowing where to draw the lines and when to stop working is hard for me, especially since I choose to work from home and to work in pockets of time around my kids and family. Sometimes I have to deal with some major guilt when I have to ignore everyone and ask to be left alone so I can work.  I started my business so I could have the freedom to be home and actively raise my children while pursuing a creative life but sometimes I feel like my business is the loud attention hog and my kids have to wait while I deal with it. As I grow part of my development involves figuring out what I can and need to delegate so I can reclaim so of the family time that I miss when I get totally consumed. But even with that I know that I wouldn’t trade this for anything right now.

 

please check out Jahje elsewhere… shop / blog / etsy / twitter / facebook / instagram / pinterest