We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jennifer Hine. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jennifer below.

Hi Jennifer, thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

My business started extremely small in 2012 when I made myself a jewelry holder. It was simply a block of wood covered in scrapbook paper with some hooks attached. It was something I needed, and always being crafty led me to making my own. I had showed the product to some of my friends, and they told me I could probably sell it. I opened up an Etsy shop thinking I might sell a few, but actually ended up being fairly successful! Ever since then I had the goal to grow this into something bigger. I focused on functional art with key racks and jewelry holders. I did this for many years as I didn’t have the tools to do much more than that. I started with having Lowe’s cut down all my wood for me, to finally getting a miter saw where I could do that on my own. It wasn’t until February 2022 that I got a scroll saw, and it opened up my options significantly. I could now do all the ideas that had been in my head all these years. I started on art pieces and custom signs, which is now my focus. It’s amazing being able to look back to my small, 10-inch jewelry hangers and see how it’s grown into what it is now. I now can make large, detailed art pieces and custom signs with all kinds of dimension and detail. Bringing other’s vision to life and being able to make such detailed art with my two hands is a joy!

Jennifer, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have always been interested in art and just being creative. I grew up with a very creative mom and we would constantly be working on craft projects together. I can’t remember a year we didn’t make gifts together for my teachers and friends. I dabbled in a lot of different types of crafts throughout the years, but it was when I made myself a jewelry holder back in 2012 that the idea for this business was formed. I created it for myself, as I often did when there was something I needed, and was told I should try to sell them. I started doing that on Etsy and became more successful than I thought. Although I really didn’t have any of the tools I needed, this was my first dip into working with wood. I always had ideas of being able to add 3D elements to my key rack / jewelry holders but just never had the tools. Ever since my first sales, I always had the best time with the business side of things. I love the customer service and the process, not only making the product amazing, but also the experience a good one for the customer as well.

Since those first years, my business has evolved now that I’ve collected more woodworking tools. I now focus on custom wooden business logo signs, nursery signs, family signs, and wood art. I can now make signs of any size, color match, and add dimension. The best part of what I do is that I can bring customer’s custom visions to life, or come up with something amazing when I have the creative freedom. I can take a business logo and bring it to life in a dimensional work of art.

What is unique about my signs is that everything is truly handmade. I don’t have any machinery cutting out for me; I cut everything out with a scroll saw. I spend hours shaping elements to give them dimension and often a realistic look. When you get a custom from me, you are truly getting a one of a kind keepsake made from my own two hands.

How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.

I started my business on Etsy and have now opened up my own personal website. I also will sell directly through social media like Facebook marketplace, Instagram etc. I think directing traffic to your own website is absolutely the best way to go, but I’m also of the belief that you should be spread out wherever you can to get yourself started. Etsy is a great place to start with handmade. It takes some research to figure out the photography, SEO, and descriptions, but it’s a good starting place. The con of Etsy is the fees, but if you are pricing your work accordingly, you should not have a problem. The fees are there because Etsy is doing the work to advertise for you, and drive people to your shop. It can get you started in making and selling things while you are building your website. Once you get your own site going, direct everyone there through your business cards, social media, etc. and go from there! One day I would love to do everything through my website, but love the help I have now from other avenues.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

My biggest advice for social media is to be consistent and engaging. You are going to have videos that absolutely flop. Don’t let it get you down! I find that I have the most success on social media when I am engaging with others. This includes responding to every comment I get, and making an effort to comment and support other creators as well. I can tell when I slow down on engagement, my own engagement takes a dip as well. Another piece of advice, just be yourself! People want to see you, and they are following you for YOU. Eventually people watching will be buying to support you. Just show off yourself and you will attract the right crowd. Similar to selling in multiple places, I would also post to multiple social medias to see where you best get results. There are apps where you can download videos and post them to other places without watermark. Play with different styles of video to give variety and just have fun with it!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.elegantquirk.com
• Instagram: ElegantQuirk
• Facebook: ElegantQuirk
• Twitter: ElegantQuirk
• Youtube: ElegantQuirk
• Other: TikTok: ElegantQuirk