When I moved up to Portland a few months ago, I was lucky to be able to easily transfer jobs. But I knew I wanted more than just retail experience on my resume. I needed to be creatively challenged and was particularly interested in helping with large-scale handcrafted displays. Through Instagram, I learned that Jessica of Bramble Workshop was also moving to Portland! So I put her at the top of my list of people to contact. We had coffee at the cutest little cafe, chatted for a while, and ta-da! I began interning for her shortly afterward. I didn’t think creative connections could be made that easily, but perhaps I hadn’t tried hard enough in the past.
Through Bramble Workshop, Jessica creates beautiful detailed window displays, backdrops, and installations for events and companies. To give you an idea of her work and process, here are some photos I grabbed from her Instagram:
We usually meet up about once a week at her studio and work on whatever backdrops or projects need to be done. Other times, we just get coffee and brainstorm creative craft and business ideas.
While writing my list of creative businesses and people to contact in Portland a few months ago, I was seriously expecting the worst outcome. I thought every effort was a shot in the dark. But by sending that brief email to Jessica, I ended up with a fun, creative internship and a wonderful new friend. Even if you live in a small town where nobody has heard of a blog (those towns are real), I want to encourage you to be brave and look for those people with similar interests as you. :)
To see the rest of Jessica’s work (and a few projects I’ve helped out with!), visit the Bramble Workshop website or follow along on Instagram.
Paige @ Little Nostalgia says
How cool. And this goes to show that you should always reach out to people because you just never know. :-) How long are you going to keep working with her?
Jennifer | Earl Grey Blog says
I’m not sure but as long as my work schedule allows it, I plan to keep on helping when possible! :)
Jillian says
These are so awesome. What a wonderful experience, Jennifer :)
Edi says
What a fun job! I’m glad you found a connection so quickly.
Jennifer | Earl Grey Blog says
Thanks Edi! :)
Alex says
All of those installations look so beautiful and unique. Congrats on snagging that wonderful internship. Yes, sometimes we need a reminder to be brave and go for it!
Jennifer | Earl Grey Blog says
Thank you! There are so many emails I’ve almost sent to people and then backed out on. So happy that I followed through with this one. :)
Daisy @ Simplicity Relished says
That sounds amazing!! Her work is beautiful and I’m so jealous you get to collaborate with her:)
Lauren says
How cool! What beautiful work, and a great reminder to take chances and reach out!
-Lauren
Abby says
This is awesome! The work she does is so inspiring and beautiful. I love blogging, but I haven’t figured out the path I want to take with blogging yet. Before I moved back to Minneapolis I emailed a food blogger I adore about internship possibilities and she was so open to it! I interviewed with her in person a couple weeks ago and tomorrow I start my internship with Pinchofyum.com
I thought I was weird to email bloggers about interning, but you did it too and it turned out awesome!
Jennifer | Earl Grey Blog says
That is amazing!! So glad you were able to set up an internship with her! I just went over to her blog and it is incredible. Hope you have a great start to your internship tomorrow! :)
JC says
Congrats! That’s a big deal. I hope you are learning a lot.
Jennifer | Earl Grey Blog says
Thanks JC! I definitely am!
chelsea says
So amazing!