The Road Less Travelled

Joanna's story is an inspiring reminder that sometimes the road to your dream career may not be a conventional one. Despite studying finance at university, her love for flowers eventually led her down a different path. Starting her business wasn't easy, and it took four months to make her first sale. However, fuelled by her passion and determination, Joanna persevered. Over the years, her floral art gained a loyal following, and her business began to flourish. Today, seven years later, Joanna has found her true calling in creating wedding heirlooms. Understanding the significance of a wedding day, she endeavours to capture the essence of a bride's bouquet and transform it into a cherished keepsake that will be treasured for a lifetime.

Meticulous Craftsmanship

Joanna's work is a testament to her patience and dedication. Each botanical piece she creates involves meticulous pressing of stems and petals, a process that takes 6-8 weeks to extract moisture and preserve their natural beauty. It can take up to 4 months to complete a single piece. Her patience and originality are part of what makes her hand-crafted pieces so special – and sentimental.

The magic happens in Joanna's home studio apartment, where she breathes life into her creations. The Gallery J is a heartfelt expression of her personal memories and experiences, featuring a range of resin earrings. Each piece is unique, as Joanna uses a slow-curing resin that allows her to rearrange the flowers and remove any bubbles. The entire process of crafting a pair of earrings can take up to 3 weeks.

Balancing Passions

While The Gallery J is Joanna's passion and creative outlet, she also dedicates her time to a non-profit organisation that helps young people develop creative skills. This involvement in the organisation is incredibly important to her, as she finds joy in witnessing their growth and success. Thus, she has chosen to work part-time on her business, allowing her to pursue both endeavours with dedication and fulfillment.

Overcoming Challenges

As with any entrepreneurial journey, Joanna has faced her fair share of challenges. In the early stages of her business, work consumed her entirely, leaving little room for balance. However, she recognised the importance of self-care and finding smarter ways of working. Through perseverance and a commitment to her well-being, she achieved a better work-life balance. Taking breaks, spending time in nature, and cherishing moments with loved ones became essential ingredients for her creativity to flourish.

Future Goals

Looking ahead, Joanna envisions a bright future for The Gallery J. Her first goal is to find her dream studio space, where she can expand her creativity. Imagine a warm and welcoming space where she can host workshops, high teas and artists' meetups, wouldn't that be the dream?

Her second goal is to collaborate more with fellow creatives.

"Of all the things that have brought me joy in my creative journey, collaborating with fellow creatives takes the cake! Not only have these collaborations resulted in some of my closest friendships, but they've also been a huge source of inspiration and learning for me. I'm truly grateful for all the wonderful people I've met and worked with over the years. Looking back, I can trace the roots of many of these relationships to collaborations that started with a simple conversation or email exchange. And as I look ahead to the rest of this year, I'm excited at the thought of more collaborations and the magic that they can bring."

Embracing the Market and Community

Perth Maker Market holds a special significance for Joanna. It was the very first market where she sold her handmade products, and it provided her with community and inspiration. Meeting talented makers and creatives who shared her passion and dedication left a lasting impact on her. Through the market, she found her tribe, and she is so grateful for the relationships that have developed through shared love of creating.

Where to Find The Gallery J

You can find Joanna at her website at https://www.thegalleryj.com/ where her new Mother’s Day Collection has just gone live.

You will also find The Gallery J at our Sunday market on the 21st of May from 9.30am to 3.30pm at Goolugatup Heathcote, in Applecross.