Inside the Studio: An Exclusive Interview with Jessica Moore of Simple & Sylvan.
Who or what inspires your designs and creations?
As a person passionate about our natural world, learning about our landscapes and about those that call these beautiful places home is what inspires me. My curiosity about learning about the layers of our ecosystems impacts my work; as an educator, I want people to not only love my work, but perhaps learn from it or remember an experience that they had that connects my piece to that memory. I am a full-time RVer, and have been on the road making art in beautiful places for the last 7 years. Part of my travels includes volunteering in public lands, which offers me a longer term stay embedded in national parks, national forests and other recreation lands. My backyard and views out of my trailer include changing aspens, rock formations, historical forts, stunning mountains, dazzling coastlines, and delightful desserts.
How do you stay motivated and inspired when faced with creative blocks?
As a creative, I can't help being into everything. I take the hint from a creative block to go do something else, and inevitably, something breaks free. While my focus has been on layered wood, I also photograph these stunning places I've spent time in. My mom is an avid cross-stitcher, and I had the ah-ha moment to incorporate embroidery with my photography and then incorporate the piece into a kit. I also knit, am a novice in watercolor, illustrate, teach nature journaling workshops, and today, if the weather holds, I am going to work on cyanotype.
Any tips for time management and organization?
My tips for organization living and working in a 210 square foot home is that I have to think small. Because of that, it helps me tap into the traveler's mind. Many of my markets are gateway communities for these beautiful places, and visitors are packing suitcases and may have to consider what souvenirs and keepsakes they can fit when they return home.
Time management for me is different, being closer to nature; I tune into the day, how light affects me and how my body reacts - I've shirked the 9-5, I simply work better later in the morning into the evening.
What challenges did you face when starting your handmade business?
When I started my business, I was balancing a part-time job plus adjunct teaching. I needed equipment and flexibility to test my concepts and designs. It's a challenge to balance what you want to do with what you have to do sometimes. I think that as creatives, no matter what our external constraints are, we have to figure out how to budget time for creative play.
Can you share any advice for creating engaging content that resonates with your audience?
I am finally getting off the ground with creating content, something that I hadn't focused on previously, and feel excited to share. I have been not only sharing my pieces in the environment that helped to inspire them but also sharing moments in these beautiful places, as well as my life on the road.
How does customer feedback influence your work?
Customer feedback most certainly influences my work. It's usually the beginning of a conversation where I create a unique piece for their customers that reflects a special feature in their landscape, a beloved animal, or favorite flora found in the area.
Can you share a memorable customer interaction or story?
My first foray into wholesale was a discussion with the shop manager at Chiricahua National Monument, we met when I was a volunteer for the park. The conversation was fluid and led to a collaboration where I delightfully created custom items for their visitors based on my inspiration from being in the park for an extended period of time.
How did you get started in creating handmade items?
After a layoff, I did something a little non-traditional. At 38, I went to be a Girl Scout camp counselor for the summer. I spent 8 weeks as the camp photographer capturing the joy of camp. I spent my days outside watching campers challenge themselves with rock climbing, paddling in the lake, exploring arts and crafts, and telling good stories around the campfire. Not only did I re-engage my connection to the outdoors, I started to watch the colors change throughout the day and how the environment shifted with the light. This is reflected in my layered wood pieces and the work that I continue to explore. Going to camp changed my life.
What are some common misconceptions people have about handmade businesses?
I think many times people don't understand the soup-to-nuts process of the concept, prototype, iteration, and finishing it takes to get to a final product. So often these days, everything has such immediacy and is not close to the creative process that it's easy to see the end result without knowing the steps to getting there.
How do you balance your personal life with running your business?
Currently, I'm fully submerged. Creative life intersects with my business, and while I try to consider 40 hours in a working week, those 40 hours can be fluid. A hike to a beautiful vista that leads to the next piece or leading a nature journaling workshop are both work and pleasure. Then there are days where accounting, marketing, and production need to wind into place.
How do you prepare your product line or pitch for a boutique or store?
I want to make sure that I follow the guidelines set out by the shop and set aside specific items that may work for their clients.
Can you describe your experience with trade shows, vendor shows, and/or craft fairs?
I was doing 26 art shows a year prior to transitioning to wholesale. Because of my dedication to the outdoor space, I and my business are members of the Public Lands Alliance, and the Museum Shop Association, and attend both of their trade shows.
What advice would you give to someone looking to break into the wholesale market for the first time?
Make sure that you really research your numbers for pricing. I have had a few stumbles along the way, there's so much to account for! Remember, we're always learning.
If you weren’t an artist, what career path do you think you would choose?
My previous career and education were in graphic design. I continue to work as an educator teaching art foundations and graphic design at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, and my work absolutely encompasses those skills I used in my career in corporate design. If I hadn’t gone to camp, I would certainly have remained in that industry. I am passionate about design and community, and I was AIGA Colorado President from 2015-2017.
Tell us about yourself!
I have my MFA in Integrated Design from the University of Baltimore, and my undergrad is in New Media Production from Emerson College.
I am excited to report that I have volunteered over 2000 hours in public lands. I have traveled through the Rocky Mountains, down to Big Bend in Texas, out to Delaware, and up to Alaska and back, putting just about 200,000 miles on the truck in 7 years. I have a 26-foot travel trailer that has large windows to take in each new backyard view. On my list, I have 2 more states to cross off - Wisconsin and Hawaii. I think for one of those, the trailer may have to stay on the continent. My dog is my co-pilot. Yuki is a 10-year-old Shiba Inu / Chow Chow mix.
