Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacqueline (Jackie) Pelcastre.
Hi Jacqueline (Jackie), we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been interested in art ever since I was in elementary school. Every elective I chose always included art and to this day I still use a lot of what I’ve learned. I started this business right after 2021, I started with making cord necklaces which turned into slowly learning new techniques and bringing back methods I was taught in school like linoleum prints and stencils. From there I started teaching myself how to do chainmaille and the rest is history! I’m always learning and teaching myself new ways I can incorporate my art into clothing and crochet items as well! I love finding new ways to expand my art and bring it into my business whether it’s to inspire someone or to even do a collaboration with another artist!!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not every path is easy, I’ve had moments of artist block and uncertainty on continuing a business. I feel what has always kept me moving forward is reminding myself that there’s only one of me out there. Anyone can do chaimaille or linoleum but it’s what you’re making with them that sets you apart and sure, I’ve seen countless designs with the same weave but they each are always different by how they were made! That’s what I love about making chainmaille, always seeing how someone else did it differently and it’s beautiful! Seeing work from other artist always inspires me to do more and has been my motivation for a while. When I feel like my work is nothing different from others or that no one is interested in them, I’m reminded by the people who always come back to admire my work and by those who I look up to who tell me to keep going! So I try to not let these negative thoughts get in my way of making art.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Aside from my small business, l work as a shift lead at Walgreen’s which isn’t an artistic career but l enjoy what l do as it helps me learn what to do in situations where people are unhappy or finding a common ground with coworkers. l’ve only been with the company for half a year so far and yet a lot of people have said l’m a hard worker and am a great listener. l believe what sets me apart from others is always to do my best and find the good in each situation, this has helped not just me but others who l have worked with when things get overwhelming.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Perseverance for sure, because no matter how many times l feel down there was always an up in every situation. l believe this thought process is what helps me not only get thru my business but also thru my daily life. it helps me feel grounded and that even though l always want to make more than l can, l now know its okay if l cant. l use to set such high expectations for myself and my business that l found myself being so disappointed in myself and feeing unhappy with where l am but l come to learn that its okay to fail and that there is always time to work on my art when l can.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muerto.moonlight/?hl=en
- Other: https://linktr.ee/muerto.moonlight
