Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Emily Grimes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Emily, thanks for taking the time to share your stories 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?

Hi I have worked in the medical industry for 7 years, I went into hospital pharmacy right out of high school. There I mixed IV compounded drugs/ chemo for patients all over the hospital. During my time in pharmacy I was saving money to put myself through a Dental assisting program. I spent three and a half years in dentistry. During all this I was running a small business/hobby that was keeping me busier then I imagined. I started this small business after I lost my grandfather that was dear to me in 2016. I started this hobby in 2017 making jewelry out of my grandpas memorial flowers. I posted them on Facebook and did local markets showing what I did and I grew larger then I could have imagined. In 2018 I started doing craft/vendor markets of jewelry and other artwork from flowers I grew or pressed myself. I turned to online selling and that was an incredible experience. Today my artwork has reached physical hands in 5 different countries and almost 47 states! In 2020 I started dabbling into preserving wedding flowers, that was the most fun ever! In October 2022 I quit my job in the medical industry to launch my business FULL TIME! It was the best decision I have ever made for my body, mind, and soul. Each day I work so hard to display my passion and drive in every piece of artwork I make. Today I work with almost a dozen wedding venues in my area preserving their brides wedding flowers forever. I still preserve memorial florals as well into jewelry, keepsakes and functional artwork. My biggest advise for anyone with a dream, of any age. Do it, do it , DO IT! You deserve it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I have always been the crafty/artsy person. Growing up I always painted, sculpted and more mixed media arts, I also got my hands into a little silversmithing. I never knew a life without art. When I was little my dad would always draw something every time I did and I felt like that was really where my inspiration started. He kept a 3 ring binder full of random doodles and so did I. I wanted to be just like him and display his artwork. I was spoiled fortunate growing up to have the support from my family, my peers, and my art teachers! Now that I’m a fill time artist I always get asked “how do you plan your days?” “how do you keep yourself on a schedule or grounded every day?” Every day I wake up grateful for where I am at and how far I have come. I make my coffee and jump strait to responding to emails of clients and and future clients! I love routine when it comes to how I keep my schedule full and busy. One day I will dedicate to pressing flowers from bouquets dropped off the day before. Or the next day I will do nothing but pour resin, and doing all the final touches. I love days where I have to be so intriquet and specific, I am a perfectionist at heart. My downfall is never giving myself credit, rarely for anything but I’m also working on trusting and loving myself through every day. I catch myself some days saying, “wow way to go Em, you did that!” I guess you could say my goal always is to make that person smile when they pick up my artwork. That’s the feeling I get when I create, it a warm bubbly feeling that is so hard to describe. When you sit back and look at what your two hands and mind have created. You see that reflect in the persons face when they pickup your artwork and decide that piece is for them. My mission would be to make people happy, naturally Im a people pleaser. Preserving memories, from a loss of a loved one or from a wedding someone has always dreamed of is what my heart wants to do. Seeing the comfort in that person when they receive their pieces makes it all worth it. I love when a challenge is offered by a client, you know its going to be fun when you hear “I know you probably have not done this before, but can you do something like this?” and 90% of the time I am so eager to jump in and do it already.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Share their work! In the world we live in today, social media controls everything. Whether it is sharing a story, reposting a shared piece of artwork, or purchasing something you love. All of that goes a very very long way.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Giving yourself the deserved credit. Through the years you really do realize the lack of empathy the world has for artist of all types. Even in high school, on the first month of 9th grade you’re pulled in the counselors office to have the “what do you want to do when you grow up” question is asked. When I told him, “I want to be a full-time artist doing what I love.” All I heard in response was, “well let’s pick something you will actually go somewhere with.” As a 14 year old that crushes your entire soul. After that I wanted to prove him and everyone around me that doubted me wrong. Every year I stayed late or went home to my own art space and worked and worked and worked till I did it. there were many tears and frustrations shared, but also some of the best artwork I’ve ever created. Today I still have those people that can’t be pleased but at the end of the day, that is my motivation to be the best version of myself as an artist. I guess you could say, his negative words have been my biggest motivator.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.southernsagejewelry.com
• Instagram: @southernsagejewelry
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southernsagejewelry/

Image Credits
Myself, and Elisha Roland Photography