Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Dunn.
Hi Jasmine, 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?
As with everyone, 2020 was a hell of a rollercoaster for me! I was inspired to start doing resin art and acrylic pouring after being bored after my cliche pandemic breakup. I had a lot of free time on my hands and I had always seen resin art on Instagram but never really understood what it was or how people were doing it. I started browsing through the hashtags that people used and decided to give it a go one weekend. I ordered some basic, affordable products on Amazon and started with ashtrays and flowers, really thinking nothing of it. There’s really not much how-to information on resin so it was a series of trial and error. I started experimenting on October 10th, 2020 and signed up for my first market to take place December 6th, 2020. My first market went really well and the validation and praise I got from people was very surreal considering I had no idea what I was really doing. To make it long story short, I continued to sign up for markets every weekend and it was getting to be too much to balance with my other two jobs. I was a full-time social worker for the homeless and also worked at a shelter for homeless veterans 20-25 hours a week. Six months into resin, I quit my job as a social worker and decided to pursue it full-time. I’m extremely passionate about this creative side of myself and sharing my art with others. I always knew I’d have my own business, but I didn’t expect for it to happen so quickly and I certainly didn’t expect for it to be within art. I’ve never been a creative person in the past and always toyed with different mediums like paint and drawing, but needless to say, the vision was never accurately manifested. I’m grateful to have come out on this side of the pandemic and be thriving in my business, learning about myself and my craft every day.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
All in all, it’s been a pretty smooth road. The art world is super welcoming and I’m extremely grateful to have started this journey in Austin because people here really want you to win and support small businesses. There are so many opportunities to grow here and I only wish I started my business earlier. There’s definitely been some business-related challenges and learning curves as both having a business and being an artist are new identities for me, but nothing that I haven’t been able to overcome through research, trial & error, and support from fellow artists. If I had to name the biggest challenge, it would be the inconsistency of income. I’m really a person that values stability but entrepreneurship completely ripped that blanket of comfort from me. Some weekends, I can make more than I did in a month as a social worker, but the next I can make nothing. I wouldn’t really consider this a struggle, but just a part of being a new artist and motivation to grow my business.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Resin is my main medium but I like to think that I don’t have a niche. I make ashtrays, an assortment of other trays, jars, incense holders, floral water pipes, wall hangings, commission work, etc. I started doing acrylic paint pours shortly into my resin journey and I like to apply paint pours to canvases, wood and anything that I can find at a thrift store. I’m most proud of my array of offerings and my ability to successfully manifest commission/custom work. When people come to my table, they often say they’ve never seen resin art like mine and I think what sets me apart is my use of color. I consider the energy of my work as being classy with a psychedelic twist.
What does success mean to you?
Success can of course mean a lot of different things. Related to my business, I would define success as being able to afford the life I want to live comfortably without financial worries and waking up every day doing what I love and am passionate about. I believe there are levels to this and I’m definitely in the early levels of my journey, perhaps level 2 of 5, hehe. I’m also really looking to expand and do more large scale commission work and wholesale for individuals and establishments if anyone is interested.
Pricing:
- Ashtrays – $25
- Resin Trays – $40
- Acrylic Paint Pour Nesting Trays – $60-100+
- Water Pipes – $115-250
- Canvases – $30-200
Contact Info:
- Email: flosearthship@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.flosearth.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flosearth/
Image Credits:
@swatcasso @futurefrontfest @catiegl.art
