Jak. Natural Designs

Plantable Cards! ‘Handmade with in BC. Thank you for supporting a small business.’ This message has been included in my packaging from the start of my business and it’s heartfelt with every single parcel I mail out.... But I wasn’t loving sending it out on a piece of paper. Environmental sustainability is a huge part of my business and one that I’m constantly trying to improve on. With my new seeded cards, you can enjoy the message, rip it up, plant it and grow wildflowers! #sustainableliving

There’s a popular tourist destination in BC near Lillooet, overlooking Seton Lake. The road forms an asymmetrical horseshoe and every time I look at this handle, I’m reminded of the stunning lookout point. Thus, this board is ‘Ferra’ - meaning horseshoe in Basque. In Basque, because studying other languages allows me to mentally ‘travel’ the world. This serving board makes me think of summer adventures and how any regular road trip can be turned into one to remember. ... There are two Ferras up on my website - this one in cherry and one in curly maple! https://jaknaturaldesigns.com/collections/serving-boards #intentionalliving

I am so completely honoured, humbled and thrilled to announce that @jak.naturaldesigns is a TOP 5 FINALIST in the Best Solopreneur category for the @smallbusinessbc Awards! I’m over the MOON to have made it to the final round of the Awards among 25 other incredible and hardworking small businesses. I am so so grateful for your votes, shares and love - without which I wouldn’t be moving on! I originally started out this journey as ‘I wonder if people would like to buy so...me of the things I make’ and next thing you know - I’ll be giving a @cbcdragon style *virtual* business pitch to a panel of business experts! I have so much love for each and every one of you for your overwhelming support and helping me get to this point in my business. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for being here. If you would like to stay up to date on the exciting upcoming events, turn on post notifications for @jak.naturaldesigns or head to @smallbusinessbc for more info. There you can also check out the other businesses who have made it to the next stage - they’re all amazing! In the meantime, I’ll be prepping on how to stay coooool as a cucumber in front of the fiery panel of @smallbusinessbc Dragons! #locallove

Silky, smooth + dreeeeamy cottonwood [also known as mappa] burl. #oneofakind

THANK YOU thank YOU!! To everyone who took a moment out of their day to vote for Jak. Natural Designs and to each and every one of you that helped spread the word of my nomination! I wouldn’t be in the TOP 5 Best Solopreneur Finalists if it wasn’t for your love and support .

When I’m not in the shop, you can find me out here! I’m making a point this year to spend at least one day a week in the mountains, unplugged and doing what I love outside of woodworking. Big mountain snowboarding is what brought me to Blue River, and the more I explore this area I call home and develop the skills to get up the mountain - the better the ride down becomes . #madeinthemountains

Wrappin’ up the first week back in the shop post holiday break and it feels so so good to be back at it! There’s something about the fresh start of a new year that has me feeling so inspired! That and - every podcast I listen to telling me how to be the ultimate version of myself. Any must listen podcasts or audiobooks you guys recommend heading into this better and brighter new year?! #hello2021

Merry Christmas to all! May your holidays be relaxing, cozy, fun and filled with many moments of laughter + joy. See you all in the New Year! - xo Jackie

A very big thank you today and everyday to my amazing, hard-working and fun retailers! They’re all independent + locally owned small businesses who go the extra mile to stock the best products. Not to mention, the kind of customer service that always makes you feel extra loved. This year would’ve looked a lot different without their support. ... Kamloops: @mainstreetkamloops @5beanbrewbar @ourfootprintsco Kelowna: @shopfunktional If you’re in need of some last minute gifts, they’re all open today until early afternoon! #handmadeholidays

It has been really incredible watching the #supportsmallbusiness movement gain momentum and grow throughout the ever crazy year that is 2020. Not that the concept of supporting small business is a new one - but as we’ve watched new businesses hustle hard to stay afloat, other businesses adapt and evolve into something new and businesses we’ve loved for years close their doors - it’s a concept that is more important now than ever before. Today in my stories, I’m highlighting s...ome of the many extraordinary artists, makers and small businesses I simply adore. The list ranges Canada wide from my local city of Kamloops, to Vancouver Island over the Rockies through the Prairies to the East Coast. Let’s make this #smallbusinesssaturday a good one .

The face you make ~ a couple days ago ~ when you finish your last commission of 2020!! While it would be easy to caption this with something lighthearted and festive, it would also feel inauthentic. I’m not going to lie - December and the majority of November have been a real struggle. As a good portion of you know, we moved houses at the beginning of this month. What a good portion of you don’t know - is this has been our 6th move in 3 years, (home, workshop, office + all) d...ue to an unusual rental agreement and a downright housing crisis in our town. This year we moved into an unfinished suite, which has proven to be especially difficult on top of the holiday rush. In the grand scheme of things, I’m very aware of how my hardships compare to the struggles of those less fortunate. And being regularly inspired by my friends and fellow artists, @kerrylangloisart @sheebsdesigns + @crtrdesigns , who use this platform to be completely real - I think it’s important to highlight the fact that even though you feel like your struggles aren’t bad enough or don’t compare, it doesn’t mean they’re not real. It has been one hell of a year for everyone and it’s feeling like a dream to be in the homestretch! I have been constantly inspired by the artists, the small business owners, the families, the people riding this out alone - really everyone, who have taken the sour lemons of 2020 and turned them into lemonade. As this year comes to a close, two things are for certain - we truly are all in this together and the support for the ‘little guys’ is stronger than ever. While life is feeling particularly unsettled and overwhelming - I have so much gratitude and so much space in my heart for everyone who helped make this tearful December one to look back and smile about.

Happy #smallbusinesssaturday to all you hard-working, local-loving, beautiful folk! I only have one set of these walnut salad servers still available over in my webshop! Perfect for leafy greens, stir fry stirring and cheeky bum smacks here + there to keep the snackers at bay . #madebyhand

13 of these lovely charred bebes are en route to Illinois! #handmadeholidays

The launch of my updated online store is finally HEREEE! If you are having any issues opening the link or checking out, please please don’t hesitate to let me know! Things with the switchover have been a bit finicky so I’m expecting a couple bumps along the way. On a side note anyone else feel like when you copy + paste even one line of code on your website, you’re suddenly a genius programmer? #smallbusinesslove

If you missed it in my stories earlier this week - I am SO PUMPED to announce that you can now find my products @shopfunktional in downtown Kelowna!! @shopfunktional is a woman-owned oasis of quality handmade products, statement jewelry, fun + funky home decor and sooo many plants! I’m thrilled to be stocked in such a beautiful shop! Not to mention - one that has nearly TWO decades of experience supporting the incredible makers British Columbia + Canada has to offer. #locallove