Meet Jillian Maifert of Nest In Progress in Frisco

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jillian Maifert.

Jillian, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve always had a love for design and doing creative projects around my home. A few years ago, I started an Instagram account, @our.nest.in.progress, as a way to share projects around the house. I was working for Anthropologie at the time as a Visual Manager and it was there that I was introduced to ice dyeing – using ice and powdered dyes to create beautiful watercolor-like patterns on fabric. I fell in love with the results and was hooked! I started dyeing my own fabrics just for fun, and in 2018 I decided to open my Etsy shop and sell the pieces I had created. I started by mainly selling wall art and home decor pieces, but my shop has now evolved into dyed apparel pieces as well.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There have definitely been challenges, but each one has given me the opportunity to grow from it. I’ve had unsuccessful art shows, but those showed me how to improve my product, setup and planning so that the next show will be better. Balancing a full-time job and a family with running a creative business is a consistent challenge. A lot of my evenings and weekends are spent making items for my shop or working on custom orders, so I dye outside as often as I can so that I’m not secluded from my family. Sometimes my kids want to help me or dye their own clothes and that makes it all worth it. I love that they want to be creative too!

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Nest In Progress – what should we know?
I love ice dyeing because the results are a surprise every time! The process uses fabric covered with a layer of ice, then powdered dyes are sprinkled on top. As the ice melts, it pulls the dye into the fabric, melting the pigments together. Even if the same colors are used on two separate pieces, the results will never be exactly the same. For my shop, I dye fabric and rope that I use to create one of a kind wall hangings. I also dye apparel pieces, mainly robes, dresses and caftans, that are all unique pieces and make a wonderful gift or a nice way to treat yourself!

This year I’m working on ways to be more sustainable, like collecting rainwater for the ice I use and working with natural dyes. I love using avocado pits to dye natural fabric, it creates a lovely soft pink!

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
There are so many supportive members of our creative community! In 2019, I became a member of Etsy Dallas, a nonprofit group of creative entrepreneurs who support makers in our community. In my first year with this group and still today, they have been extremely supportive, sharing experiences, advice, giving feedback and helping each other grow.

My customers are some of my biggest cheerleaders as well. When someone comes back to buy from me more than once, or when someone sees a piece in my shop and they know it’s the perfect gift for someone special, that’s what keeps me going!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.etsy.com/shop/nestinprogressdecor
• Email: nestinprogressdecor@gmail.com
• Instagram: @our.nest.in.progress

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