One thing I love to do is to share the love and share of our favorite vendors. These are people we have worked with over & over again. The ones who are consistent, and amazing, and SO worth looking into for your own wedding! So, we’re starting off this new “Favorite Vendor” series with someone who I think EVERYONE needs to know!

Let me tell you about my friend Julianne!

For starters – she is one of the most talented people I know! She is a chalk artist and creates the most beautiful art. From signs for weddings, to custom designed signs for your walls at home, to ornaments around the holidays – she does it ALL. She even teaches chalk art workshops for those people interested in learning how to do chalk art themselves!

She is kind, and brave, and one of the most encouraging people in my life. She is a champion of others and will always support the other people who are doing brave things. Choosing to leave her full time job in order to pursue her passion and take her business full time is something I admire in her and I have LOVED watching her business grow. SHE IS INCREDIBLE. Also, she’s SO funny. Cooks amazing food. Has the most fun children & a husband she adores. I just really love her!

Meet Julianne.

I asked her a few questions about her life & her business –

because I know you all will love her just as much as I do!

1.)TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF!

I am thinking you probably want the good stuff, right?? Here it is…the best of the best….breakfast is my favorite meal. I prefer savory over sweet (breakfast or otherwise…). I love hair products and it can almost be guaranteed that I will buy whatever is used on my (naturally grey) hair during my appointment. I am almost 40 and STILL trying to stop biting by nails. I love God and try to love people. I admittedly fail at loving people on the daily. My husband and I have been married for almost 14 years, and I’m still crazy about him. I am mom to two children who might be the dictionary definition of “polar opposites”. I LOVE (all caps) show tunes, and frequently imagine myself starring on Broadway. I am the (self appointed) queen of a group of people known as “indoorsy”. Give me all of the fleece blankets and hot coffees and rainy days. Bliss.

2. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE BEFORE YOU WENT FULL TIME WITH YOUR BUSINESS?
There were 2 and 1/2 years between the time I took my first order to the time I quit my job. After 17 years in the mortgage business, it was the scariest decision ever. And it has turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made too!

3. WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?
Oh man…so many things! But I think best thing is that after a long day, when I have spent 8 hours drawing on chalkboards, and I sit down to relax, do you know what I like to do? Chalkboards. I love it that much. When I was little, and people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I said “artist”. But I NEVER, in my wildest dreams, thought that would come true.

4. WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?
Balance. When you do what you love, and get to do something you are truly passionate about, it’s hard to turn that off. I could spend 20 hours a day on my business…drawing of-course, but also answering emails, doing quotes, looking for inspiration, brainstorming product ideas, learning new techniques, maintaining my social media accounts… I am, however, Mom to two little girls and they are a large reason why I took the leap to owning my own business. I wanted to be more available to them. So making sure that I don’t schedule myself with too many work things is one my biggest struggles…

5. WHAT ARE THREE THINGS YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT EVERY DAY??
Coffee, music, and coffee. Oh wait. Did I say that already?? Probably my car. I am a kid taxi.

6. WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR DREAMS FOR YOUR BUSINESS?
This one is tough, because I have a lot of dreams floating around in my head…but probably the most urgent one is to take things digital. I don’t think I will ever stop doing actual chalkboards because they are my first love, but I would love to be able to produce (quality) digital work.

7. What is one piece of advice you would give to a creative entrepreneur?
Don’t give up. When it seems like everyone else has their act together; when you don’t know what your next gig will be; when you think everyone and their brother is doing what you do…don’t give up. You know that saying that comparison is the thief of joy? That is so, so true. I can’t tell you how many times I have created something I love only to open instagram and see the most perfectly lettered pieces and immediately the self doubt creeps in. I mean, I have been in there so many times!! But what other people think of you is THEIR business…You do you. No one else has YOUR voice, will produce YOUR content, or will have YOUR stories to share…The table is long enough for all of us; PULL UP YOUR CHAIR.

One – don’t you just want to be friends with her?!? She’s pretty great. Also. Her work is stunning. The photo above is a sign we have on the wall right by our bedroom door & it makes my homebody heart just sing. SHE MADE IT WHILE I WAITED. That’s how talented she is. And she’s currently working on a few other custom pieces for my house. Can’t wait to show you!

Now – go give her some love on your favorite social media platform! But – insider scoop – her Instagram Stories are the BEST.

You can find her here! : 

Website : https://www.somethingtochalkaboutjd.com

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/somethingtochalkaboutjd/

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/somethingtochalkaboutjd/