Life & Work with JESSICA PILLEN of MURPHY NC

Today we’d like to introduce you to JESSICA PILLEN.

Hi JESSICA, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have always had a creative side, always. Dabbling in the arts in various genres of my life led me to have a plethora of hobbies. I always say I don’t need another hobby! And then I have one.
I fell in love with these unique, custom hats. Hats. I seen popping up in the fashion industry. So I purchased one from a local artist so that I could develop a beautiful fall photography portfolio of my little girl. And looking at that beautiful hat, I knew I can make one. So I did.
I didn’t even have to buy a single thing, I had everything I needed. Next thing you know there are custom hats all over my home. Hanging of the lamp shades, the mantle, filling our closets. My husband asked me what I planned on doing with the hats, and that’s when I decided to sell them. I developed a huge falling very quickly, doing custom designs for people and selling my own designs. Next thing you know I’m doing craft shows. Then pop-up shows. Then local boutiques. And it kind of just took off from there.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would say initially my sole proprietorship had smooth sailing. The biggest challenges was time management maintaining a healthy life balance. When you’re passionate about something that brings you so much joy, you want to do the best you can for your clients. At times spending up to 8 hours designing a single hat, I had to consciously make decisions that would not leave my own personal needs and the needs of my family on the back burner. I feel like once I was able to find that balance, and my own style developed, I was in a very good place.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a full-time Critical care registered nurse. I have worked in this professional career for over 15 years. I have dabbled in many different medias of art through my life. I am a picker and a reseller of vintage, and I focus on upcycling high quality vintage home decor. I also curate and sell authentic Native American jewelry. I have been an avid collector at Native American arts my entire life. My custom hats often incorporate vintage native bead work hat bands, genuine gemstone cabochons such as turquoise, and I upcycle vintage Sterling native jewelry pieces on my hats regularly. I think one of the things sets me apart from many others. Like, certainly not all, is that I focus on community rather than in competition. I want everyone to do great! I support other artists, whether it’s helping them promote or sharing industry tips to help them get ahead.
With my Native American jewelry business, I focus on educating others about the fine arts and the importance of supporting them, and not importing stolen designs from mass producing overseas suppliers.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I like best about Atlanta and its surrounding areas are the amazing opportunities to thrift and second hand through so many wonderful businesses that are often charitable for great causes. Anything that does not go into a landfill, is a win! Helping others see the beauty and high quality craftsmanship and arts can be very fulfilling!
Thing I like least about the Atlanta area, the traffic!

Pricing:

• Custom design hats range in prices from $79 to north of $300. Depending on the type of hat and the brand, as well as its embellishments and the time put into it.
• Authentic Native American jewelry prices from $20 to $10,000. Depending on the artist, the era, the size, and the type of stones.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peaksandwavesdesignsbyjess?igsh=cnVoMXFncXEwajVn
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17kjEGCh3G/
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/share/1ChZvMNv3j/