Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeanette Egan.
Hi Jeanette, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started my business in August 2015 just as a side hobby making Christmas ornaments while I looked for a job after being laid off. After the holiday season, I decided I really loved doing it and went at it as a full-time artist. I participated in craft shows, sold online and I began teaching workshops a little over 2 years ago at two locations.
There will be monthly workshops at 5 locations by 2022. I’ve spent the last year focusing on moving towards wood burning on more sustainable and rapidly renewable materials such as gourds and utilizing as much salvaged wood and reclaimed Bamboo for projects. Anything to help reduce our carbon footprint.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of my biggest struggles along the was really just trying to figure out where I wanted to be as an artist. Should I create trendy items that I thought would sell or just be true to myself and let my tribe find me? I participated in almost 100 craft shows before things began to fall into place.
Being myself and letting things flow in their own natural way has been liberating. Teaching workshops has been very rewarding and has allowed me to grow in unforeseen ways. My customers have truly been inspiring as well and there have been many moments when I’ll get the request “Can you make this?”
It forced me to expand my horizons and truly develop a “Challenge Accepted!” attitude.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a wood-burning artist. I specialize in hand-drawn wood burned florals but have been known to create items in a variety of themes, I would burn gourds, bamboo, and custom commissions. I’m most proud of the pieces that I created that spoke directly to someone’s soul. I’ve had several instances that resulted in hugs and tears because the person looking at it knew exactly what I was feeling when I made it.
They stop. They stare. I silently watch as they let it sink in. Then when they finally turn to me, our eyes lock in recognition. Usually, there is no explanation needed. In two cases there were hugs, tears and what passed between us was more than a purchase. It was understanding. They now knew for sure that they are not alone.
I can’t convey how it feels to know that there will always be things that I may make that are made for one specific person. I’ll hold onto those pieces until they find the home to which they belong.
So I guess, what sets me apart from the others is that I try not to create for the sake of creating just to have inventory. I can hold onto a piece of wood for years before it tells me exactly what it wants on it.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Strong-willed, creative, fearless. I didn’t follow the crowd, much to the chagrin of many of my friends. I always seemed to be on a mission whether that was another band to join or writing poetry. I never considered that I couldn’t do it. And if I did discover that it was indeed impossible, I changed course and hit the ground running.
I was heavily into the band and played Piccolo and Flute through most of my youth and still play today. I grew up in The Bronx, New York before relocating to NC in 1997. I always yearned for the more rural life I had while I lived in Puerto Rico as a child.
Contact Info:
- Email: jnegandesigns@gmail.com
- Website: www.crossbreezepyrography.com
- Instagram: @j.egan_designs
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/jnegandesign
Image Credits
Jeanette Egan
