Check Out Katie Jackman’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Jackman.

Hi Katie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
It all began in 2018 when I wanted to decorate our large awkward dining room wall on a budget. As newlyweds, we invested into our vinyl cutter and created our first sign, a large piece that still hangs in our dining room today! Eventually, Light&Lantern turned into a side hustle to help financially during my maternity leave. We created a small batch of Christmas signs and filled custom requests for friends and family. It wasn’t until 2020 that our side hustle became a small business as covid hit and I was furloughed from my job as a sonographer. A new dream came to mind to create custom keepsakes combining my love for ultrasound with signs. Now we create several painted keepsake signs, miscarriage memorial keepsakes and other home decor! It has become our passion, a hobby that we both get to do together to create beautiful pieces others will cherish for a lifetime.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
As a mama of two young boys three and under, my time is limited. I spend naptime and after bedtime creating our pieces. This limits us in some ways but it’s also a great flow for our family.

Another limitation has been walking away from my dream career to stay home with my boys. I loved my job but felt the call to stay home while they are young. Though a hard transition, it allowed me the ability to pursue our small business and dream new dreams.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Our signs are handmade from start to finish! From the backing, the pine-stained frame, the design, the hand-wrapped and tied with a bow. Every detail is carefully thought through!

My favorite pieces have to be from our keepsake collection. These include our ultrasound keepsake signs, custom footprint signs and miscarriage awareness keepsakes. I’m an ultrasound tech, so being able to use my clinical with my creative side is very rewarding. I can look at an ultrasound and take the very most detailed and recreate it!

The footprint signs are dear to me as both of my boys were in the NICU. The footprints they took at the hospital were what I held each moment I couldn’t be with my sons. I love recreating footprints that have been smudged, placed on a logo or have writing on them and turning them into a piece that parents will cherish for a lifetime.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I do all my sales on Etsy. I love the platform and it is easy to use for buyers! You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Sharing our pictures or videos is the best way to support us!

Email us at [email protected] to collaborate! We love working with other small businesses.

Pricing:

• Ornaments roughly $10-$25
• Signs $35 +
• Shipping is free

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: lightandlanternsd.etsy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/light_and_lantern/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LightandLanternSD