Hi, I'm Jessie, the heart behind Jessie's Artistic Design Emporium (JADE). My creative journey began at age five with a camera in my hands, capturing the vibrant colors of the world around me. Photography became my way of freezing time, preserving memories in vivid detail that I could revisit whenever I wanted. Each snapshot held more than just an image—it held the emotions, smells, and moments that made life special.

As I grew, my creativity blossomed beyond photography. I started making and selling crafts, fueled by the support of family and friends. But as a tween, I hit a wall—people expected more sophisticated creations, pushing me to expand my skills. Without formal teachers, I turned to the internet, teaching myself crochet and cross-stitch. My mom, a left-handed crocheter, did her best to guide me despite our opposite-handedness, and through persistent practice, I found my rhythm. Drawing came next, inspired by a stunning tree sketch my dad created. He taught me that patience is the key to great art, a lesson I carry to this day.

My grandmothers were also artists, each with their own flair. My mom’s mom painted breathtaking landscapes, capturing the scenery she loved, while my dad’s mom adorned porcelain teapots and plates with delicate flowers, occasionally dabbling in canvas. Their creativity runs through my veins, though high school sports and academics temporarily pulled me away from art. Still, I found solace in writing poems and short stories, honing my voice, and never stopped snapping photos.

In my teens, I launched Aces Scrapbooking and Photography—complete with business cards I still cherish! It was my first taste of entrepreneurship, blending my love for photography and scrapbooking. But as a young dreamer in high school, I had so much to learn. Life got busy, and college business classes didn’t stick—I craved income over debt. My creative pursuits became hobbies, until a devastating blow: my computer and photography storage drive were stolen from my car. I posted fliers, begging for just the storage drive’s return, desperate to reclaim years of memories. No one responded, and the loss stung deeply.

For years, I poured my energy into crocheting, though my wandering creative spirit often pulled me to new projects before finishing the last—like most crocheters, right? I chased a fresh start in Georgia for six months, hoping for a new path, but a misunderstanding sent me back to Washington State, heartbroken on a bus ride home.

Life took new turns. I became a mom, briefly explored a healthcare career, and during this time, my dad suggested a rebrand for my business. When he proposed Jessie’s Artistic Design Emporium (JADE), it clicked instantly. I dove in with flyers, business cards, and big dreams, but setbacks led me down another path.

That path brought me to Texas—a new world where I finally felt at home. I moved to date my now-husband, Ty, carefully planning my fresh start with a job, an apartment, and a great school for my son. After a year and a half, as my mom battled cancer, she made one last trip to Texas, and Ty proposed. His unwavering support has reignited my passion for JADE.

Today, I’m chasing this dream with renewed energy, armed with lessons from every triumph and stumble. I’ve learned so much about art—crochet, photography, scrapbooking, and beyond—and business tools to make JADE thrive. My vision is to create, teach, and inspire, sharing my love for art with you.

Whether you’re a fellow creator or just starting your artistic journey, I hope JADE can spark something in you. Let’s make, learn, and grow together—here’s to capturing life’s colors and crafting something beautiful!