This Woman Has the DIY Job That You’ve Always Dreamed of

Aug 02, 2015

Does your dream world involve beautiful blooms popping out of every corner of your home? Backdrops made up of peachy peonies, darling dahlias and other such buds? Well, you’re not alone. And guess what? All of your paper flower dreams are about to come true. We’ve got a brand new online class up on Brit.co today. Introducing DIY Paper Flowers, taught by Jessica Pezalla of Bramble Workshop! Read all about the class here, and scroll on to learn all about this dreamy maker.

A classically trained artist and sculptor, Portland-based Jessica spends her days creating one-of-a kind retail displays, event decor and custom art installation. She’s designed for Hermès, Target and Anthropologie. Basically, she makes pretty things for a living, and yes, it’s basically her dream job. She works in a wide range of mediums, but always tends to gravitate toward paper and textiles.

I spent an afternoon with Jessica at Flora Grubb (aka the floral mecca of San Francisco) and chatted about what inspires her, what it’s like to have a job that involves creating art every single day and what she does when she’s not making insanely beautiful things. Oh, and we found out that we both spent a year as artists-in-residence at the Vermont Studio Center, a small artists’ residency program in the middle of nowhere in Northern Vermont. Talk about a crazy coincidence! Now, let’s meet this maker.

What inspires you? Why do you love to design, create and make?

I’m most inspired by the natural world and depend on hiking and camping to recharge and give me energy for my studio work. I also love working with other people and find inspiration in collaboration, with both clients and fellow makers.

What’s one piece of advice you’d share with other makers?

Set aside time for photography of every single project, even if it will be professionally photographed. Document your work with as much care and consideration as you put into making it.

Tell us how technology has changed and supported what you do.

Instagram has been an amazing tool for connecting me with other creatives and new clients. I love posting images of work in progress and feeling the support and encouragement of this community. In another sense, I think the prevalence of technology in today’s world has had the effect of creating more value for the hand-crafted, and that’s the foundation of my business.

What’s on your studio playlist?

I love listening to podcasts (“On Being” is my current favorite) and folk-y musicians such as Annalisa Tornfelt, Andrew Bird and Patrick Watson. The soundtrack of my studio practice definitely tends toward the peaceful and contemplative.

How do you get into the creative flow? How does it feel?

At this point it’s really easy for me to get into the creative flow — it’s my job! Usually it’s all about preparation (usually the day before) — buying materials, organizing the work space, setting out tools. When I’m creating something new I need to work alone, usually in the morning. I have the ritual of putting on my work apron and making tea. Then it’s just about letting go of distractions (Instagram!) and letting myself play and experiment. It’s usually a little slow-going at first, because of the pressure and worrying about a client’s expectations. But then I’ll stop worrying about coming up with a “great” idea and just relax into the process. After I have the initial idea, there’s a lot of experimentation with different materials, refining the process, and streamlining the workflow. I really love the problem-solving involved in this part of the process. I make a lot of prototypes before I pick the direction and can start directing other people in the production of the project.

What do you love about teaching people to make? And inspiring people who don’t think they are traditionally creative?

There are so many things that I love about teaching workshops! It’s exciting to teach a favorite craft and I’m always inspired by the originality of everyone’s creations. There’s a feeling of easy camaraderie and collaboration among the students. Spending a few hours crafting with a group of people is my idea of the perfect social event!

What is the story of how you got to where you are today?

I have always known I wanted to be an artist, but it’s taken some time to make that my career! I have a BA in art from Oberlin College and an MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute. In 2009, I spent a year in Vermont at the Vermont Studio Center artists residency program and was able to immerse myself completely in my art (mainly sculpture and installation.) After this amazing year I moved to LA and re-evaluated what I wanted to do with my life. I realized that I had to find a way to use my skills as an artist full time and that showing in galleries wasn’t the right path for me. I worked briefly at Anthropologie as a window display designer and this taught me the basic skills needed to start Bramble Workshop. My first job (and lucky break) was designing a window for Hermés, after being recommended by a friend. They took a chance on me and that window captured the attention of a creative director in Paris. We have been working together since. At the same time, I started creating custom event decor for the wedding design company Bash, Please. These two high-profile clients allowed me to start Bramble Workshop and tap into the niche market for hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind objects, decorations and installations. I’ve found a career that is the perfect blend of art, craft and design.

Be sure to sign up for Jessica’s DIY Paper Flowers Class to learn all about creating your own beautiful blooms. Happy making!

25 Confidence-Boosting Quotes by Outrageously Inspiring Women

We love an inspirational quote. The right set of words can guide us through a case of the Mondays (and any day, for that matter). A expertly expressed feeling reminds us that we're all more connected than we think. And who doesn't love reading something that makes you laugh and cry at the same time?

As part of International Women's Day (which we celebrate year-round), we've gathered some of our favorite quotes by a bunch of our favorite women. Scroll through, pin 'em to your motivational boards, and share favorites with any woman in your life who could use a digital pep talk.

Keep the courageous, confident, and creative vibes flowing today, and all days!

This post has been updated.

Not Close With Your Family? Here's How To Have a Joyous And Connected Holiday Season

Last year, some of us celebrated the holidays apart from our families for the first time. COVID has brought with it many changes, some of them arguably positive (like increased flexibility to work from home), some difficult (such as the realization of vastly different political and social views between family and friends), and some horrible (obviously, the health implications of a global pandemic). However, for some of us, celebrating the holidays without family members isn't exclusively due to COVID. In addition to so many of us living in different areas than our families of origin, some of us simply don't have close bonds with the people we grew up around. Sometimes, this can cause loneliness.

If you're not close with your family members, the holidays can be a difficult time. This is doubly true if you don't have a close circle of friends to call upon. But make no mistake, if this sounds like your situation, you're not alone — there are thousands of other people going through the same struggles you are. We sat down with Irad Eichler, founder of Circles, a website that connects people who are sharing similar struggles, like heartbreak, grief, or loneliness. Here are some of Eichler's tips for coping — and even thriving! — during the holiday season when you're not planning on spending it with your family, for one reason or another.

Don't Fall For "Perfect Families" On Social Media

Laura Chouette

The first VERY important step to having a joyous holiday season when you're going it alone is to stop believing the narrative that others' family situations are perfect, Eichler says.

"Remember people only post a moment in time, and only the moments when they look their happiest and best."

In addition to the fact that everything you see on social media is curated for the 'gram, it's also important to remember that by focusing on what others have and you lack, you risk failing to see the great things at play in your own life.

"These holiday periods can become a time of focusing on who and what we don't have, rather than who or what we do, and can cause a negative spiral into depressing and dreadful feelings of inadequacy," says Eichler.

Gratitude is the reason for the season, after all. So instead of only seeing the negative, try some gratitude journal prompts to help you focus on what's actually really wonderful about your life right now.

Make An Effort To Deepen New Connections

Joel Muniz

While it may seem like everyone has friends and family to spend time with during the holiday season, that doesn't mean no one is available for deepening a blossoming relationship or new friendship.

"Make a list of people you can or would like to connect with, and try to reach out to at least one of them," advises Eichler.

Reaching out doesn't have to mean a big plan or an hour-long conversation. Even a quick text letting a friendly coworker know you're thinking about them can go a long way toward deepening the relationship and moving it in the direction of closer friendship.

Don't have an acquaintance in mind? Then it's time to make new acquaintances. What's more in line with the Christmas spirit than attending a Meetup or event full of people eager to make new friends?

"Join groups with similar interests to yours, such as hiking, baking, or games. Push your boundaries and be brave - you might find new people who have much in common with you."

Give Back

Priscilla Du Preez

The holiday season is a great time to focus on giving back to your community, and coincidentally, acts of generosity and kindness are known to reduce loneliness and help people feel happier. One study found that knowing a few of your neighbors and doing small acts of kindness for them — such as cheering them up, listening to them, mowing their lawn, providing advice about local business recommendations and job opportunities, and chatting over the fence — was statistically correlated with feeling less lonely and having a lower risk of depression.

Helping out elderly neighbors can be a particularly gratifying way to give back.

"Notice older lonely people in your neighborhood or community who might have no family at all, and offer to help them," says Eichler. "These can become mutually meaningful connections, and help you 'adopt' a grandparent."

Connect With Others Online

Thought Catalog

Finally, use the Internet for its highest and best purpose: to connect people. Whether you're using Meetup to find in-person events, digital forums for having conversations about special interests, or programs like Circle for getting support from others in your situation, the opportunities to create new connections are practically endless.

"There are many interest groups that can be found digitally, where or any person can connect with others in the same life stage, going through the same challenges, or who would like to explore the same interests," Eichler states. "Meaningful connections can be formed easily in these circumstances. The Internet enables us to find and connect to people all over the world who fit this, and to whom we can become more easily attached, as we are able to find people with the exact interests that energize us."

If you're struggling with loneliness, you're not alone. Connect with our digital community of makers and creatives here at Brit+Co by following us on IG and signing up for our newsletter!

This post has been updated.

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This Mom Designed A Double-Duty Bag With Family Outings In Mind

Office Depot® OfficeMax®

None

Mom entrepreneur Diane Le designed a blanket/backpack combo with her family hikes and picnics in mind, but after testing the concept, she found it had broader appeal. Not sure where to start the manufacturing process, she asked for help. Thanks to our partnership with Office Depot OfficeMax, we are sharing Diane's founder story and how she learned through Selfmade that networking gets you everywhere.

B + C: What motivated you to start MiniAlps? What problem are you trying to solve for your customers?

DL: For me, it was a product I really wanted for my own personal use and it just didn't exist. I love spending time outdoors with my family but outdoor blankets are so bulky to carry. I remember going on a day hike with my husband and daughter and I had to carry a backpack on my back with our water, food, diapers, sunscreen and supplies and then I had to carry our picnic blanket on the front and hold my dog's leash all while hiking. It was just too much.

I thought "Why can't an outdoor blanket actually be a carrying bag and it can do double duty by carrying my things as well?" That's when MiniAlps was born.

B + C: How has the company evolved since your initial "aha" moment?

DL: Originally, we were only focusing on moms who really liked multitasking products but after testing the concept, we actually found out that late teens and 20-somethings really loved the idea of a stylish blanket/backpack duo. It was perfect for picnic outdoors, wineries, music festivals or just being on the go.

B + C: What startup challenges have you faced along the way?

DL: We've had two really big challenges. First, neither Sharlene Bisram (my co-founder) nor I had ever launched an apparel or outdoor product, so there was a really big learning curve for us in terms of fabrics and performance. We bought so many fabric samples just to make sure we had the right materials. The second was manufacturing. Manufacturing during COVID times has been tricky. We aren't able to travel to meet manufacturers in person, production times are much longer than normal, and shipping times are very delayed.

B + C: What strategies helped you overcome them?

DL: Networking and asking for help has been the best strategy for us. Whenever we run into a challenge, we've reached out to our networks to just ask "Does anyone know someone who knows XYZ?" and we've met many amazing people that way. I think there was a session in Selfmade that talked about that exactly - that being able to network effectively was one of the best ways to grow a business. I'm a big proponent in paying it forward as well. If there's some help someone is looking for, I'm happy to share any information or potential leads with them.

B + C: What would you say are your top successes so far?

DL: Designing a product I'm really happy with is probably my favorite success so far. We've gone through seven different iterations before landing where we are and I'm pretty proud of what we've created. Our bag is everything we wanted it to be: stylish, minimalist, modern, and incredibly practical.

B + C: How have you approached marketing your brand and raising awareness?

DL: We're a startup so we have very limited marketing funds. It's been a fun challenge to figure out how to build our brand on almost no budget. We use Canva for a lot of our branding materials. For awareness, we are active with promoting to our local community and utilizing social media and social ads to drive traffic to our target market.

B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?

DL: It really does start with mindset. When we had the first course about mindset, I was really confused on why we weren't focusing on more "business" type things first. But as I started building my business, I realized how important it is to be in a positive, winning frame of mind before anything else. It helps you weather all of the ups and downs of startup life.

B + C: Who and what inspires you?

DL: I have so many people in my life that I admire, it's hard to narrow it down! My daughter Camille was born with a rare disease and disability and she inspires me to beat the odds everyday. I also have to shout out to my mentor Sarah Grover, who is just a brilliant marketing and branding guru and Nurit Raich, who has been my incredible coach through a lot of life's challenges. It truly takes a village.

B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?

DL: Just get started! Don't let the fear of failure stop you before you even get started.

B + C: What's next for MiniAlps?

DL: We're opening up for pre-orders on our first production run very shortly! Sign up for more information at minialps.com.

B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot OfficeMax scholarship to Selfmade done to help you grow your business?

DL: It has been so helpful to have the support of Office Depot OfficeMax scholarship! It was only through the scholarship I was able to access all of Selfmade's amazing resources, from the networking to the coaches to the sessions, it's been a combination of motivating, inspiring, and supportive. I couldn't imagine launching MiniAlps without Selfmade.

B + C: How have Office Depot OfficeMax services/products helped you accomplish more in your business?

DL: It's honestly not possible to start a business without the right tools and Office Depot OfficeMax has been my go-to source. Their printing services in particular are fantastic; it's high quality, affordable, and a quick turnaround.

Thank you Diane for sharing your story! You can follow MiniAlps at minialps.com and on Facebook.

Need help bringing your idea to market? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach your customers with confidence. Learn more at Office Depot's Selfmade page.

Want to join the next Selfmade cohort? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.

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Zach Bryan & Brianna Chickenfry's Break Up Is COMPLICATED — Here's What To Know

Zach Bryan and Brianna "Chickenfry" LaPaglia's explosive breakup is everywhere right now. From his seemingly one-sided social media posts to all the bombshell revelations she keeps dropping, it's clear this split is NOT amicable. Both parties are dropping tons of lore, info, and everything in between — including new music?! — right now, so it makes sense if you can't keep up. Luckily, I'm here to help break this breakup down for you! Here's everything you need to know about Zach Bryan and Brianna Chickenfry's relationship...or lack thereof.

Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

October 22, 2024 – Zach Bryan Announces His Breakup With Brianna Chickenfry

On October 22, 2024, after some recent speculation that Zach Bryan and Brianna Chickenfry split up, Zach took to his Instagram stories. The country star said, "Addressing something: Brianna and me have broken up with [each other] and I respect and love her with every ounce of my heart. She has loved me unconditionally for a very long time and for that I'll always thank her."

He continued, noting, "I have had an incredibly hard year personally and struggled through some pretty severe things. I thought it would be beneficial for both of us to go our different ways. I am not perfect and never will be. Please respect Brianna's privacy and space in this and if you have it in your heart, mine too."

To wrap it all up, he closed by apologizing to his fans. He said, "With everything I am and to anyone I let down, I am sorry. I try my best in everything. I failed people that love me and mostly myself."

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

Brianna hopped on her own Instagram stories shortly there after. She posted, "Hey guys I'm feeling really blindsided right now. Gonna hop off social media for a while and attempt to heal privately, when I'm ready I'll be back and ready to talk. I love you guys so much thank you for all of your kind words. Remember you are so loved and everything's always gonna be okay 🫶"

The Brianna got on Youtube next, posting a raw, emotional video about the situation. Sitting on the floor of her bathroom, she opened up as much as she could in the moment about her breakup. She said, "I just woke up to Zach posting on his Instagram that we broke up and I had no idea that post was going up. He didn't text me, he didn't call me. I just woke up to a bunch of texts, like, 'Are you okay?'"

Brianna, with her teary eyes and red face, explained she's been crying for "five days straight." She said, "I'm at the point where it's like, how can you give someone everything and love them so unconditionally, like through stuff that you shouldn't because you just love them and you want them... like you see the good in them?"

The internet personality said that this is all "so embarrassing" and "really, really heartbreaking." She elaborated that the couple broke up on October 21, but wanted to process on her own and "didn't want it to be public."

Much like her Instagram story, she told her audience that she'll come back when she's ready.

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

November 7, 2024 — Brianna Claims Zach's Emotionally Abusive, Wanted $12Mil NDA

Well, it appears this week, Brianna decided she's ready. On Barstool Sports' BFF's Pod November 7, 2024, Brianna gave an inside look at the breakup unlike any other. Not only did she claim Zach was abusive, but she also alleged that he offered her a $12 million NDA to "not talk about the relationship."

After saying it's been the hardest year of her life, she said. "I'm still scared right now because I'm scared of him. My brain's rewired and I'm scared to make him mad and last week, I didn't want to talk about it 'cause I was scared."

Brianna then described the alleged emotional abuse. She noted that everything was cyclical and that he would build her up only to break her back down again. "There was always another excuse as to why he was treating me so poorly and why I'm crying myself to sleep every night, why he's screaming at me," she said. "And then you wake up, it's the apology, it's the 'I'm going to be better like I need you in my life,' but if you've been through this — I don't expect people to understand emotional abuse if you haven't been through it. I hope you never have to go through it but if you've been there you know what I'm talking about."

Not only does Brianna allege she was offered an NDA, but she said that other women that came before her had to sign their own agreements. She declined the offer because she didn't want to "sign away [her] experiences and what [she] went through to protect someone that hurt [her]." She also wanted to share this experience for other women who've suffered something similar.

And when it comes to the logistics of losing out on the famous lifestyle and alleged $12 million? She said, "It was never about the money — I was with the dude because I loved the dude."

Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival

November 8, 2024 — Zach Quit Touring Amid Abuse Allegations

On November 8, 2024, Zach posted on Instagram — where he clearly loves to share all his big news — that not only is his new single "High Road" out today, but that he's also ending his tour early. Read his full statement here:

After not being home for a year and a half I drove out to my mothers gravestone in the dead of night a few days back on familiar Oklahoma roads and I came to realize just like in the past, that she never would call me again

Told her I quit touring because I got accepted to get my masters in Paris next year, I told her I was back in Oklahoma, told her about all my best friends in New York and all the nights we howled with the moon, told her about the immeasurable laughter my band and me have shared these last five years, all the calluses on my finger tips, every tear shed, told her about making it on The Rolling Stone and most importantly told her about porch swinging with my beautiful sister.
I wrote the chorus for this song a month or two back and finished it when I realized I was blessed with all these things.

I figured it was about time I released it.

Thank you guys for listening to ‘This Worlds a Giant’ last night and thank you to all the people who love me; who have truly carried the weight with me.

Seems that all these Quiet Dreams have gotten much too heavy but I’m home now and I’ll hold you through the pain.

High Road is out today and I appreciate all of you"

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83 Budget-Friendly Finds Under $30 That'll Have You Gifting Ready This Season

Discover 83 Amazon products under $30 that are nothing short of pure gold. From stylish fashion finds to the latest beauty trends, these steals offer exceptional value without compromising on quality. We always ask, what's better than the perfect gift? Well, it's the gift that also doesn't break the bank! We're confident you'll find something in here to at least appease a few loved ones this holiday season.

Thanks for reading about our favorite finds from across the internet! FYI: We participate in affiliate programs and may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.