We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jamie Fipps. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jamie below.
Jamie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
Over the years I have worked on countless jewelry projects, many of which I recall and think of fondly. Few of the items in the past have gotten quite as deep and meaningful as once I got into taxidermy. Lately, in my studies and practice, I’ve had friends come to me asking to preserve their precious pets (snakes, lizards, rats, beetles, etc.), so they may continue to keep them close even after they pass away. It is with this new craft along with my previous work with Bones and Crystals that only reaffirms my feelings of beauty in afterlife. The body decays, but the love, memories, and respect always remains. Learning and creating with a mix of jewelry, bone painting, and taxidermy, helps me show and spread the joys and sorrows of life even after death.
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.
My mother and I started to make jewelry when I was very young, and with our spiritual roots, we started incorporating nontraditional pieces. We use bone and crystal to show our love for all things that are of the earth. We vended with different witch/oddity festivals and shops, as well as other small businesses. When we started, there was not much of a market for taxidermy, bone, or metaphysical shops, but now the retail climate has changed and become much more inclusive and accepting of things outside of the norm. Branching out, we made space for our own little creations. With my friend’s and family’s unending support and the advice of other small businesses, I’ve finally been able to open up my own little shop, a place for me to share my passions I’ve worked toward for my whole life!
From earrings and necklaces, to spiritual supplies, stickers, and lip balm! The one constant that I started with and have always made is crystal earrings! I’m a total sucker for pretty rocks and want to share that obsession with anyone I can. I most recently started working more on paintings on ethically sourced bones, mainly found in the woods behind my house. I’m determined to share the beauty of the end with people, let them know that even in the darkest moments beauty can still be found.
Contrary to what most people growing up have told me, starting your own small business is very challenging, though I did get help from friends and family. Starting a small business is not cheap. It is expensive, labor-intensive, and incredibly stressful. After the paperwork and legal strings, there’s also the constant impostor syndrome of comparing yourself to others that no one really talks about. It’s hard sometimes to continue and to not undervalue yourself, or even sell your products for much less than they are actually worth. Don’t get me wrong, it is so worth it once you surround yourself with wonderful people. When you realize that it’s okay for people to not like your work, but it’s something you made and should be proud of, your outlook on the destructive criticism cycle will vastly change. I’ve unfortunately been around many people before who would continually put you down, criticize your work in an effort to make themselves feel better, or even resort to stealing customers from each other. My advice? Cut contact. Once I left those people behind, I was finally able to really let loose and create so many wonderful pieces I am beyond proud of. My friends now continually hype me up, help me when I’m struggling, and remind me that I’m good at my job and should be proud of where I am.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
As I write this, I have just finished a market, during which a wonderful customer had a conversation with me about their pet. As a budding taxidermist, I get many people now coming to me about their pets as they grow old or sick. Taxidermy is a way to memorialize and hold onto your memories longer, and can actually help with the grieving process. Whether its to keep the bones, whiskers, fur clippings, or other, some people just need a little something to hold onto their loved one a bit longer.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
The absolute best resource that I have come across over the years has truly and genuinely been the other small business owners around me. I have been absolutely blessed to be able to become close friends with, and even in some situations coworkers with other small business owners! Other owners will have some of the best and sometimes completely unheard of advice and information that you will only learn about through experience and/or word of mouth. I have learned something I can only express as “market booth first aid”. If a tent is falling apart, I know how to fix it. Someone forgot shelving? I have extra solutions. If theres problems with gashapon machines or small mechanical malfunctions, I can now fix most if not all of them! When grandmothers say to keep a small sewing kit and bandaids in your purse, it comes in extremely handy for markets. The possibilities with masking tape and a random piece of metal are endless.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thescavengersshoppe.com/
- Instagram: @thescavengersshoppe
Image Credits
Photos all taken by myself.