thisislocaltalent
A fine idea for a unique business
Jessica Hughes, 22, an artist from Dunstable is the entrepreneur behind Keepsake Baby Artwork; producing highly personal and memorable keepsakes by creating fine artwork using children's hand and foot prints.
Jessica explains her motivations; "I wanted to show people they could have a one off Fine Art painting with meaning, for the same cost as the mass produced prints so many people buy from Ikea and the like."
A keen artist since attending Mansfield Upper School, Jessica poured her heart and soul into the subject and achieved a BA (Hons) degree in Graphic Design from the University of Bedfordshire.
It was a chance occasion that inspired Keepsake Baby Artwork. After presenting her sister, Sam Webb, with some paintings produced using the prints of her two children, Jessica received great feedback. "Sam said other people would pay to have me do paintings with their children, so I started asking around family and friends."
Promoting herself via social networking sites and by producing her own website, Jessica has generated a lot of interest in her work. " I have had support from all of my family and friends, not only with spreading the word, but also with things like the wording of my website and taking photos of my finished paintings."
Entrepreneurial ventures can be difficult to get off the ground, but Jessica has been lucky in some aspects; "The biggest problem with starting your own business is getting that first customer. I was lucky that I could use the paintings I did for my sister as sample work."
Sam Webb was so impressed with Jessica's paintings that she approached her to do more. "I purchased prints on behalf of the children I work with and have given them as Mothers' day presents. I wasn't sure what to expect of the process but Jess was really good with the kids and as I had [ordered] more than one print she came to my house, which was really handy. Jess only took 4 days from taking the prints to posting the finished pieces back and they're lovely - really pleased [with them]!"
Jessica tells us that her next step is to meet up with some Dunstable based mums and tots groups with the aim of doing some group work. Happy to be earning money from doing something she loves, Jessica intends to keep working hard at it. "One day I would love for Keepsake Baby Artwork to become my main job!"
Jessica's website is available at www.keepsakeart.webs.com
