This is part of our series of features in which we interview vendors to find out more about what makes them tick. Up this week, Jessica Wilkeson of Jessica Wilkeson Design Studio.
1. What got you started in your business?
I have always worked on the side for friends and family, but my business didn’t come to fruition publicly until June of 2013. I designed a custom wedding map of the location my husband and I got married to give him on our 2nd year anniversary. It was hand printed on cotton, the traditional second year anniversary gift. I posted it on my Etsy shop and before I even had a chance to give it to him, I had a sale. From there the rest is history. I have been working with couples all over the world and loving every minute of it.
2. What’s your specialty? What kind of weddings do you love to do?
I’m a graphic designer and artist, so all of the little things are my specialty. Signage, menus, print decor, guest books, invitations, favors, etc. I am breaking into jewelry making, glass etching and engraving and laser cut wood as well— think his and her wine glasses, personalized glass coaster favors, custom laser cut card boxes, unique laser cut leather and wood jewelry, etc.
I’m a down to earth kind of person. I love when people break from the mold and do something creative for their wedding that shows their individuality rather than just following suit on what everyone else does. I’m also really big into destination weddings and travel themes, obviously.
3. What’s one thing you wish more couples knew when they started planning their wedding?
Invitations set the tone for your wedding. From the moment someone opens the envelop to the time they step into the reception, it should all be cohesive and well designed. I do not recommend having multiple people work on the print pieces of a wedding. For example, don’t have someone design your wedding invitation suite and then someone else (read: family member) do the table number indicators and try to make them look like your invitations. It never works.
4. What’s your funniest/most stressful/most poignant/most rewarding story or moment in your business so far?
I create a lot of custom wedding maps for people either for their actual wedding as a guest book or after they have been married and are celebrating their anniversaries. The most rewarding moment to date was getting a message from the husband who sent his artwork directly to his wife who was stationed in Japan and he was here in the States. When she received it she was so touched she cried. Thousands of miles apart, but I was able to create a special moment for them while they Skyped their anniversary together.
Razor sharp wit and cutting sarcasm.
Learn more about Jessica on her Hitchburgh profile.
http://hitchburgh.com/features/vendor-spotlight/meet-jessica-wilkeson-mapmaker-designer/