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

Alright, Julie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I was in high school and I was making clothing, casual resort type of clothes for men and women and painting tropical themes on the fabric. I painted shells, fish, palm trees/sunsets, and the biggest seller was the surfing themed mens shirts with big waves of Hawaii. This is when I knew that I wanted a profession in the fiber arts.

My college years were spent in fashion design studies and business related courses. Since I was focused on my dream I learned all I could regarding a self employed career in fashion.

I worked for as many people in my field that I thought could teach me what I needed to know. I studied what worked and more importantly what did not. I’ve never stopped the learning opportunities, workshops and lectures.

One of these jobs was a company that hired artists to paint on their clothing sold in their many shops. I painted upwards of 100 garments a week. At one of the artists meetings at this company the manager asked if anyone knew how to paint on silk. I had no idea how to do this or that it was even possible, I raised my hand and said, “Sure! I do!” I had a week to show them my work, how hard can it be, right? I designed my first hand painted silk dress and was hired for their silk garment division. I learned a lot but they did not pay well. I had to move on.

I caught the attention of a textile design studio in NYC, I painted on silk, hand painted designs for fabric which in turn would be used to print the bolts of fabric used for the production of clothing. I’m not exactly designing the entire dress but I loved it and I was prolific and in demand for the swim wear industry, resort wear and mens Hawaiian shirts.

Then along came the internet and digital designs. This opened the already very competitive US textile design market to the world. The competition was extremely tough so I decided to learn Photoshop to stay in the game. I did this for a time but quickly discovered that not only was the competition fierce but the commission was cut in half. Artists in Asian countries charge less- American dollar vs. the Chinese yen for instance. I was selling 25% of my work completed and earning half of what I was getting per design. As an artist/designer I valued my work more than what the exchange was offering.

Since I love textile designing and fashion designing equally I decided to use social media to show the world what I can do. Once again I was in the middle of a pivot. What does the market need? What do they want? What can I do to help others achieve their goal? I posted my work and explained the process, I did art shows and entered “Calls For Artists”. One particular call that I answered was for 9′ banners of hand painted silk for the US Botanical Gardens, in DC. Of the 12 banners needed for the exhibit they choose 3 of mine! I painted 3 9′ banners on silk of tropical orchids. It was at this opening that I met 5 business partners. We formed a group “Silk Synergy” and we hung our banners and sold silk scarves at orchid shows around the world. I used my photoshop skills to format the art to scarves for printing.

Today I am formatting my work for use in my own clothing line and I am hired to format others art for their clothing lines. I design the textile design and the garment depending on what the client wants, I do small runs of 50 pieces or less so they can test the market for profitability and demand. I source the fabrics from here in the US and abroad. I source cut and sew factories and coach the entire process. I speak the artist language to ensure a smooth process. Some days I sew a prototype some days I paint, some days are spent formatting on the computer. Its always an adventure.

Knowing what I know now I think that the process needs to move at its own pace, I did not force anything. I learned how to bend with the winds so to speak. I think that staying focused and not quitting is key to speeding up the process. You also need to adapt to the conditions of your market, know what is going on so you can predict any changes you need to make. Don’t be so focused that you miss the world around you. Mistakes happen. For me the biggest mistakes I made was in trusting people in what they promised. I have learned discernment and patience. Learn what opportunities are true and which ones to let go of. I now trust myself and my gut feelings.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

About me. I am a daughter of a seamstress and an artist, but mostly I am a product of my father’s career. He worked for IBM and we moved, a lot. My biggest influence was our stint in Italy and the trips we took to neighboring countries. I was young and the impressions of art, music and architecture has stayed with me and has shaped my view of culture. Another big influence from my father’s job was my time in South Florida where I developed my love of the tropics, in and out of the water. It has filled my head with endless subjects to paint.

I have raised a family of 3 children and recently added a granddaughter to our family. I enjoy being a dog mom, biking, yoga, reading and crafting and of course spending time with my family and friends.

I offer to artists the service of creating products from your art. Mostly in the form of a clothing line but also accessories such as scarves, wraps, tote bags, head wear, baby blankets. Basically anything made from fabric can be customized and adorned.
I design using your art a repeatable seamless printable piece of art using your art as the basis for the elements of the fabric. I place it on the item on the screen to show the scale and placement of the design so we can make any changes before it goes to production, reducing the costs greatly.

I source the production and speak the language to communicate to the factory what the many needs are for the finished product. We choose the fabrics to be used for printing, negotiate the costs and the minimum quantity.

I help you determine the retail price and I give advice on the product making sure that there is enough profit in the margins.

I help you discover your story to create the brand that represents you the best.

I suggest and recommend the many sales avenues to try, the pricing and advantages to each.

I will point out when I think there are too many foxes in your path, helping you to stay focused and on brand.

I help to create the content for your social media ad campaigns.

I will always listen and will not suggest unless asked. I honor your space and your own intuition.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the flexibility is has afforded me in each stage of my life which enabled me to stay away from indoctrinated ideas and beliefs to remain highly creative.

I’m a square peg who was never forced to try to fit into a round hole. Not only have I discovered the path to knowing who I am but have been able to explore the many avenues of my creative force unencumbered. I live my life with intention and purpose choosing my way and knowing how to support those around me with the same, allowing them the space to create their worlds.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

The resource of education and knowing when to admit you don’t know something is crucial for a small business. Education comes in many forms and I definitely would have developed relationships with mentors. I had a wonderful, supportive and brilliant father which is great but not the best choice for a mentor. A mentor should be someone who is emotionally detached, who can see the situations clearly. Be honest about the things you can and should hire out, you do what you do best, which is to refine your craft to the best you can be.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.silksynergy.com
• Instagram: julianneatl11
• Facebook: Julianne Jennings
• Linkedin: Julie Jennings