Recently, I had the fun opportunity to interview Jess Marie of Pine and Boon. I always enjoy being able to hear more about an artist's creative process and the real life struggle between paying the bills and doing what they love. Hearing a little more about the person behind the product always inspires me to do my part to support as many local artists as I can. Jess Marie makes beautiful products and her enthusiasm for what she does shines through in her work.

1. Tell me a little bit about what a typical day looks like for you.

A constant juggle. I wake up, or I guess my husband tries all sorts of silly tactics to get me out of bed…I sit in front of my special daylight lamp and meditate for five minutes. Coffee and meditation ground me for the day. My husband and I carpool to our day jobs, so that we can then carpool home to our second jobs, our studios. I usually go mail a few orders or run supply errands for Pine & Boon on my lunch break. Once home, we hurry up to make dinner so we can get back to work in our studios. I may sit with my cat Moneypenny for a few minutes, just to have some cuddle time. I usually have a bunch of bags and pouches pre-cut so I can just assemble and package during the weekdays. Winding down time starts around 10:30 pm. I stay up pretty late, usually midnight, because I want to squeeze in as much personal time as possible after a packed day.

2. Describe your work in two words.

simple and artful

3. Do you remember making your first sale, if so who was it to and how did it make you feel?

Yes I do! I sold a little Dot Card Pouch (http://www.pineandboon.com/product/polka-punch-card-pouch) to a friend. She was so excited and truly believed in the work. She had to have it before going abroad for a year in Jerusalem. It made me feel good my little pouch would be traveling so far in such good hands.

4. What makes you love the place you live?

The Northwest is so wet, green, and gray. I used to have a love/hate relationship with Seattle because of the weather, but I really do think the lifestyle you can live here is so rare. Since I was a kid, I knew Seattle was the perfect place to really be who you are unapologetically. You really cannot lose touch with your humanity in this beautiful landscape, and the politics of the Northwest follow suit. That to me is SO worth the rain and gray skies.

5. As a creative person, how does your environment influence your work?

Well, just like your work can change, so can your environment. I think it is important to listen to what you need in a creative space. It is easy to get in a pattern of working once you feel comfortable. But sometimes you can get too comfortable with the distractions you might build in. I sometimes try and turn the radio off sometimes, just to work in silence, and truly sit with myself in the studio. It is important to not be afraid of that, and for a long time I was.

6. What has been your favorite part of leading a creative lifestyle?

The people. Even though I give up a lot of my social life to make work, I also look forward to meeting other creatives when I am out. I have met some really loyal and caring art friends through my artist husband. Our friend circle is a resource at my fingertips. If I need to learn Photoshop or help with html code I can shout that out on my Facebook and get so many replies.

7. What do you consistently draw inspiration from?

Vintage and craft. I come from a family of serious thrifters, so I have become really good at spotting the gems. I look at the endless materials and colors of everything from a large span of time. It is so different than walking into a boutique and just seeing a current trend. My family is a big source of inspiration as well. I grew up making pine-needle baskets, painting watercolors, and knitting with the matriarchs of the family. There is always of hint of craft in my work, and I think there always will be.

8. How do you overcome creative dry spells?

Pine & Boon is me overcoming a creative dry spell! Haha! I went to school for art, and I just never could keep up the momentum of making work like I did in college. I think sitting in your studio looking at a blank piece of paper was too much pressure for my delicate early-twenties self. I always crafted on the side, and I was always teaching myself new things. Thus, I decided to focus on my craft, Ever since making this shift I have always been full of ideas and have yet to lose momentum. That does not mean I do not have to overcome challenges, I think it really is more challenging for me because there are so many details to think about.

9. Did you always know you were going to be an artist?

Yeah, I think so. I spent hours and hours by myself drawing and crafting growing up. I also loved fashion and costume. I sometimes think I should have worked in a trade like my brother instead of going to a university. We are both so good at seeing something in completion and figuring out how it was made.

There are times I wonder why people are not artists, and what they do with all their free time? I do not think I realized when you choose to be an artist you forever choose to work two jobs at once. One to support yourself, and the other you hope will be the one to support you someday. I did not imagine it would be such a hustle.

10. If you could be doing anything else right now what would it be?

Kayaking somewhere beautiful and maybe doing a little yoga on the beach. That is SO Seattle! Did I really just say that? Yes, yes I did.

Dear readers, now you have an opportunity to win your very own suede zippered pouch. Simply visit Pine and Boon's website and then leave a comment with your favorite product and which color zippered pouch you would like to receive if you won.

Entries must be received by Monday, March 31st at 12pm PST. Good luck!