Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Long.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I would say the pandemic inspired my journey into the arts. Before the pandemic, I was working a 9-5 job as a visual merchandiser and was beginning to fall out of love with my job.
Art has always been something I wanted to dibble into but never really had the time nor the energy to explore my imagination. However, with the rise of the pandemic and stay-at-home protocols, I was forced, due to mostly being bored to get creative with my time, and bam! One trip to Target led me down a path I never imagined.
The introduction of JazzOriginalz goes something like this. I was scrolling on Instagram and came across a photo of Kanye West in a denim jacket that was covered in sharpie marker. I thought the concept was cool and figured I could do the same but make it my own. I was inspired and excited to finally have something to do with my time other than binge-watching Netflix shows and eating, so off to Target it was. I picked up a six-pack of markers and went to town on my jacket.
Sidenote: I make YouTube videos for fun filming my daily life and sharing some of the ups and downs I’ve encountered within my journey and figured it would be cool to give my audience something different and decided to film the process.
I made the video showing start to finish the steps I took to achieve my all-over sharpie denim jacket and the feedback was amazing! I was instantly flooded with requests from my audience to make them too a custom denim jacket and man was the love overwhelming. With so much love at that time, I felt confident enough to quit my 9-5 job and focus solely on my denim jacket inquiries. But just as quick as the orders flooded in is just as quick as they began to slow down.
See working for yourself, in the beginning, is exciting to know that you don’t have to answer to anyone, you are your own boss and you create your own schedule but on the flip side, it’s hard to keep your head in the game when the money isn’t flowing in like it once was. I’d listen to a lot of podcasts to keep me motivated and to keep my eye on the prize but it was hard, and hell it still is.
But when tough times come, so does a need for change. It was time to pivot, to show my range to those who supported my brand and to show that I could do more than denim jackets, that I was a true artist. I thank my mom for that push, for had it not been for her I probably wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now.
So let’s get into that. How did I enter the world of custom handbags?
In short, it all started off with one of Saweetie’s lives where she said and I quote, “If he not giving you no Birkin, if he not paying for your bills, throw that ni**a back to the streets…okay”.
I read the comments of that live and was inspired to create a message most felt. As I stated above, my mom is the one who inspired me to make a change and that change happened to involve a Birkin-inspired handbag and I had to do it! I took a leap, painted in white “Fuck a Birkin” coordinated a small photoshoot with my mom as my model, and posted it to the internet. Not everyone got with the message or understood the point of it but I didn’t care! I continued to push my message regardless of the opinions of those and then one day a TikTok of mine went viral elevated my business and gave me the exposure I was praying for.
Nonetheless, it was a happy mistake and I would encourage any and everyone to just create, you just never know what could come of it!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it has not been a smooth road, it’s been a lot of trial and error, a lot of re-evaluation, and a lot of pep talks to myself in the mirror. Often times I want to give up but I remind myself that what I’m experiencing at that time is temporary and I will get through it. Giving up is the easy way and I wasn’t raised that when times get rough, you just walk away. To get through it, you have to go through it.
Most of my struggles have been financial and time management. I’m a one-woman show doing it all alone and I struggle with creating an equal balance within my business and personal life.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Some may say I’m an artist but I’d like to call myself a creative. I love all things creative and enjoy the process of creations in all categories of life. I’d say I specialize in graffiti artwork and am known for my custom “Fuck A Birkin” handbags.
I’m most proud of myself for not giving up and for continuing to push my message through my art. Honestly, I’m not sure what sets me apart from others. I really just be doing shit and people happen to rock with it.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I think sharing my story has equated to my success. I’ve documented my journey from the moment I quit my 9-5 to the moments that have led me to where I am today. People feel connected to me and inspired by the journey to see the growth and to know that if I can do it so can they.
Pricing:
- X-Small (20cm) $195
- Small (25cm) $225
- Medium (30cm) $295
- Large (35cm) $325
- X-Large (40cm) $395
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jazzoriginalz/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ-nTeUFaQ65g3Q-mG_O2hA
