We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jasmine Jelsema. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jasmine below.
Hi Jasmine , thanks for joining us today. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?
To be honest, I couldn’t recall the first dollar I earned from my art. So, curiously enough, I had to scroll back through the sold orders list on Etsy. It was nostalgic and fun to relive how and where this started. The very first few sales pages were from crystals, tarot decks, and plants. But then, I saw them, a pair of big gold hoops with pink, blue, and yellow wire-wrapped aura quartz crystals hanging from them. The first dollar I ever made was from a pair of bold earrings to my cousin. Many of the first sales I made were to family and friends.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am a healer and creative. After studying alternative medicine at Evergreen State College, I began teaching as an outdoor nature preschool teacher. Teaching was so much fun and I continued to do it for 8 years. I loved creating art with my class, telling stories, singing songs, doing yoga, and always pulling inspiration from nature. One of my greatest passions is learning. I am a certified yoga teacher, sound healer, usui reiki master teacher, crystal healer, laughter instructor, Zumbini instructor, herbalist, wildcrafter and currently studying to be an ayurvedic health coach. In 2019, I became a mom, and in 2020, for reasons we all know, my hours as a teacher were cut back and I had a lot more time and energy to do things I love. Spending every moment with my little boy, creating, and learning. At first, I narrowed in on selling crystals, plants, tarot cards, and other thrift-store finds. But, that slowly evolved into creating with the crystals that I had purchased to resell. That is also when I began studying toward my Reiki certifications. I’ve always enjoyed making my own jewelry and must have been inspired by a Pinterest post or something when I first started making art with crystals. My little guy and I were walking around downtown when he was just a year old, and he walked right up to a store I had never been in. I had assumed it was a spa or salon. When we were inside I was surrounded by crystals, yummy smells, and eclectic art. Trying to make conversation with the owner because my child had just walked into her store, I asked, “How would someone begin selling their art here?” Tasha was so open and kind. I don’t even remember if she asked me to send her pictures, or just told me to bring some of my things in. Because I am pretty sure it was the next day that I brought in a few earrings and necklaces. That time I walked in, I was greeted by Alexis, who made me feel so welcome and proud of my creations. All of the self-doubt and criticism I had just escaped my body. Mystic Movement and its creators Tasha, and Alexis were huge pivotal supports in my success as a creative. They helped me price my work, shared ideas and inspiration, and gave me a space to offer reiki and yoga. I seriously am not sure if I would be doing what I am doing without them. Since then, my work has expanded and will continue to expand. I am done feeling the pressure to niche to one specific style or piece. I think that some of the greatest artists made art out of anything that they felt inspired by and could get their hands on. Some of the most recent pieces I have been dabbling in are resin sun-catchers, jars, trays, rings, pyramids, and paint pallets. Some of my favorite jewelry pieces to make are earrings, necklaces, bracelets, anklets, and rings. I also love to make infused candles, work with fabrics/clothes, and always try new resin molds. The resin world is endless! What fills me with the greatest sense of pride is creating a life in which I am able to live fully from my heart space. I am honored to be channeling my inner creative energy, connecting with others, growing, healing, and celebrating life. My goal is to inspire minds, enrich spirits, and uplift souls. Whether it be through an energy healing session, a piece of jewelry, or a candle, I want to share the feeling of being powerful grounded, confident, seen, and loved. My work is to create space for intuitive self-healing.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
A few of my favorite books that I always have to recommend are Tools Of Titans by Timothy Ferriss, Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Kimmerer, and The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. A podcast that significantly impacted my philosophy is the Wake Up/Wind down by Niall Breslin.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Being a creative allows me to live fully from my heart space and be led by intuition. Being able to fall into the energetic flow of life and the seasons allows me to feel a sense of ease. Creating art is just so in alignment with what I have always loved to do. I remember being in first grade, we had an assignment on what we wanted to be when we grew up. I always wanted to be an artist. I could look at the pictures in my favorite kid’s books for hours. We just have to remember that every moment, every breath is an opportunity to live fully who we wish we could be. Follow your heart calling-its what we are supposed to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: jasmineapothecary.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/jasminejelsema
- Facebook: Jasmine.Apothecary
- Linkedin: jasmine-jelsema
- Youtube: JasmineJelsema
Image Credits
@envisionaryem