Check Them Out: Enduring Arts

Today I'm sharing a lovely Etsy shop, Enduring Arts! 

Jodi is the owner of this uplifting and inspirational shop where she creates gorgeous paintings and artwork! 

I had the opportunity to interview Jodi and find out more about the shop:

Give us the scoop on your handmade shop:

First of all Happy Birthday to you, Moriah!!!

Okay, a little about my store... I create paintings and designs with a special meaning in mind and I hope they will have a lasting impression on the viewer. Currently my Enduring Arts shop offers original paintings and drawings, fine art prints, art blocks and notecards.

What inspired you to start selling your products online and how long have you had your shop?

My husband introduced me to etsy and pushed me to open a shop in 2009. I was pretty clueless at the beginning and didn't have much inventory. Last year I decided to take my shop more seriously and it has been gradually growing ever since.

Is this your job or hobby?

I put a lot of time into my business... it is hard not to think about it or work on something for it. Currently I've been keeping busy with customer requests, such as designing their favorite verses, customizing a color for them or even painting a custom portrait. These jobs always keep things interesting. Although I think of Enduring Arts as my job, I also work from home as a graphic designer for a corporate company. (It is nice being able to count on a steady income and it makes my Enduring Arts job more fun since I don't have to worry so much about the financial aspect of it.) While doing these two jobs I'm also a full time mom to an ambitious 3 yr old daughter. It is a lot to juggle, but I wouldn't want it any other way!

What inspires you to be creative?

My daughter and husband, personal experiences/stories, my faith, and other talented artists all inspire my creations. I grew up with a very talented artistic mom, so she inspired me at a very young age and it only continued to grow. I also like to think God gave us special talents for a reason, so we should put them to good use.

Aside from your shop, what other creative things interest you?

I really like DIY projects. Turning something that doesn't look like much into something pretty/useable is so much fun. My husband and I have been working on renovating our second home. It's been a ton of work but so worth it. We save a lot of money by doing most everything ourselves and the home is much more unique. I also like to dabble in other creative outlets like crocheting and sewing... although I still have so much to learn in those areas.

What advice do you have for other online shop owners?

I have learned it takes a lot of work and time to succeed with an online shop. Continually adding new quality items is just part of it... self marketing is HUGE! You need to have really good photos of your items with a good product description so prospective customers get a good feel for your items. You also need to make sure your shop is getting seen so any networking is a plus. Always be unique, create from your heart, believe in yourself and the hard work will eventually pay off... that is what I like to tell myself anyway! :)

Let's get personal: where do you see yourself in ten years?

Painting beautiful pictures, enjoying time with my family... just loving life. If you are interested in seeing more of my artwork and and how my journey unfolds you are welcome to follow along here: enduringarts.blogspot.com.

Thanks so much for sharing your awesome shop with us, Jodi!

Be sure to check out Enduring Arts for yourself today!