Today we’d like to introduce you to Janet Pitcher.
Hi Janet, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Growing up in a very artistic family, I have always had an interest in art. My family’s talents in jewelry making and quilting have influenced how I create my millefiori botanical jewelry. I approach each of my designs as wearable art. In my early years, I created clothing designs and jewelry with found objects spending days in Santa Barbara bead shops collecting treasures to complete my creations. When I discovered polymer clay as an art medium I began sculpting flowers and beads and spent many years selling, teaching and writing tutorials. When I began designing costumes for my daughter’s musicals, within a few years I was asked to design professionally for local theater companies. Creating and design are my passion and I love the opportunity to collaborate with other designers to bring theater to life, so creating a jewelry line that would fit into my schedule was important. My Petal Pushers line of jewelry is just that.
I am able to create costumes for the stage working with many wonderful people to bring our story to life, as well as use my hands and talents to create my Petal Pushers jewelry. Each piece is hand-sculpted, and my work is available in stores and galleries across the US and Canada.
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?
Running your own art business is difficult often because as an artist, I also need to handle marketing, accounting, and more. Having the ability to create and also to find work can be challenging. The biggest challenge is choosing the projects to say yes to and managing my time. One of the biggest obstacles recently was due to Covid. When quarantine hit, all theater shut down and all of my customers canceled their outstanding jewelry orders. Without any work, I looked for something to do, so making masks became my pastime. I designed masks to donate to medical staff, then began to sell them. My retail partners also appreciated the ability to sell my masks, and I was even able to design them for the theater! We are now transitioning back into both theater and my jewelry is brightening store shelves across the country again.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My Petal Pushers jewelry design is very unique and recognizable wearable art. My floral jewelry is created by blending clay and building the design into a millefiori cane, then reducing the size of the cane with my hands, slicing and sculpting by hand to create each flower. The ability to create many different colors, flowers, and designs set my work apart making each piece carefully handcrafted one petal at a time. My work in costume design is a true labor of love. I have a reputation for my ability to help build actor’s characters in costume and love collaborating with the rest of the artistic team to create art on stage.
I guess what sets me apart from others is really that I am creating all the time. Whether for the stage or to compliment someone’s wardrobe, I am always designing, planning, dreaming, creating!
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
As discussed earlier, besides learning what I can do to help others, I have learned that when we work together as a team we can do anything. I have learned that art is important, community is important and people want to gather together and celebrate art. I have also learned how to manage getting work done using technology, meetings on Zoom and virtual art shows have helped grow both of my businesses!
Contact Info:
- Email: Janetspetalpushers@gmail.com
- Website: Www.janetspetalpushers.com
- Instagram: @janetspetalpushers
- Facebook: Petal Pushers- by Janet Pitcher Designs
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy3vf9o-Re0
- Other: Petalpushersbyjanetpitcher.indieme.com
Image Credits
Ken Jacques Pam Davis
