Where are you from and tell us a little about yourself?
I’m a young artist from Raleigh, NC, and I’m currently a college student majoring in English and creative writing. In my shop, I sell hand-sewn, one-of-a-kind fantasy art dolls and my collage work. I’ve been hand-sewing dolls since I made my first sock doll at age 8, and that interest has evolved into the much more elaborate dolls I make now. I have been experimenting with collage elements as a part of my artwork only very recently, but I really like the direction that is headed!
I also love books, and I work at my local library. Tolkien, Shakespeare, and moody fantasy novels (and kid’s fantasy novels – they’re fun!) are a few of my favorite reads. I also enjoy 80’s rock, reading in the bathtub, changing my hairstyle, and shopping at Goodwill.
Why did you start your Etsy shop?
I’ve created things for as long as I can remember, and before opening my etsy shop, I didn’t have many venues to share those creations. One day I had put up some photos of one of my art dolls on my personal facebook page, and a friend who used to sell her work on etsy commented on it and told me I should check out the site. Her comment really gave me the confidence and the push I needed to start selling my work. As a busy (and broke!) college student, etsy is also great because it gives me an opportunity to make a little money just by doing what I love!
How did you come up with your Etsy shop name?
I chose the name “The Free Folk” because a lot of my work is inspired by fantasy and folklore themes, and “the free folk” is an old Celtic term for the faeries. It also makes me think of hippies and folk art, which I think fits me and my work pretty well too! “Jordan Rou” comes from a nickname that my favorite aunt used for me when I was little. She actually wanted my parents to name me Jordan Rou (or some variant of that – Rue? Roo? Roux?), but I ended up with the sensible middle name Rebekah instead.
What is your favorite item in your shop and why?
My favorite item in my shop is probably my Victorian Steampunk doll, Madapple Grimoire. He’s thematically very different from the rest of my art doll work, but probably the doll that I spent the most time making and coming up with a story for. He seems to really have his own (rather secretive) personality, and if he was a character in a book, I would definitely want to read more of his story! I put more detail into him than probably any other of my dolls – he has multiple accessories, including a top hat, backpack, pocket watch, and an owl friend!
Do any of your pieces have a memorable story behind them?
Almost all of my pieces have some sort of back story, which I make sure to tell when I list them on etsy. One of my favorites is the story behind my elven archer doll, Falkon, who was inspired by all the time I spent playing “elf girl” in the woods as a child. My brother and I wanted working bows and arrows to use in our games, and we spent years trying to figure out how to create a bow which would actually work out of a stick and twine. We finally figured out how to use a stick that was still green inside, and to bend it as we strung it, to create force on the string. We also found out that bamboo made the best arrows, because it was light and flew straight. Falkon has his own bow and arrows, made using the same techniques and materials I used for my own back then!
What was your first piece you sold?
My first piece I sold was my art doll “Widsith”. His name means “Far Traveler,” and he wears an outfit that looks as if it was sewn out of leaves and flowers of the forest, and carries a staff with a friendly bird friend perched on it!
Where do you get your inspiration for your pieces?
As a total bibliophile (and certified nerd), a lot of the inspiration for my work comes from books and folklore. I also love old maps and charts, and learning about other cultures. This love comes out more in my collage work, which features a lot of maps and found objects. Every collage that I make also features a compass rose – at this point in my life, “finding my way” is an important issue for me!
Why should people buy handmade?
I believe that people should buy handmade because it’s so special – each piece is unique and has its own story. I can find things on etsy that I could never find anywhere else, and I love it when people include a back story in the description of their item. Also, buying handmade is so much more personal than buying from a store. Many people who sell handmade really take the time to get to know their customers and make sure that they are happy, and as the customer, you can be happy knowing that you helped to support someone’s dream of making money by doing what they love!
Any advice on selling things handmade?
Be unique! “Standing out from the crowd” can be really hard. Do what you love, and be confident in doing what you love! If you’re excited and confident about what you make, other people will be too!
Do you have plans for expansion?
I would love to eventually expand, but I’ll need to become better established and finish school first!
Any other sites you can be found on?
You can find more pictures of my work here, on the Art Dolls Only website:
http://artdollsonly.com/index.php?option=com_comprofiler&task=userprofile&user=146&Itemid=24
While you’re there, check out the work of some of the other members – there’s some really amazing dolls here!
Anything else you would like us to know?
I’m really excited to have been recently accepted into etsy’s FAE (Fantasy Artists of Etsy) and ADO (Art Dolls Only) teams! Both are juried teams, so being accepted as someone who still considers themselves a “beginner” is really an honor! If you’re curious about FAE and ADO, you can learn more here:
FAE team: http://www.etsy.com/teams/5932/fae
ADO team: http://www.etsy.com/teams/5603/ado-art-dolls-only
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** I did not receive any monetary compensation for my review and the above opinions are 100% my own. I am not responsible for the mailing of the prize so if it is not received I can not be held responsible. Although I will do whatever is in my power to make sure you do receive it.**
62 COMMENTS
eclairre
14 years agoMy favorite item is Lord of the Rings original collage – Autumn in Rivendell.
eclairre
14 years agoEntered the (Jewelicide) giveaway. eclairre(at)ymail(dot)com
Ravenfeather
14 years agoI love Madapple Grimoire and also Falkon the Elf, also The Naturalist art collage, which I find very inspiring, as well as The Dream Journal altered notebook. Jordan is a truly inspiring artist and creator. I would love to be included in this giveaway; my email is: bhcampbell(at)btinternet(dot)com
shelbers434
14 years agoI love your Steampunk boy as well as Ironsider
snugles4433@hotmail.com
Ravenfeather
14 years agoI hearted The Free Folk shop on Etsy
bhcampbell(at)btinternet(dot)com
manthas24
15 years agoI entered for your $25 Gift Certificate to Amy Adele
manthas24
15 years agoI entered for your Handmade Flower Stud Earrings
manthas24
15 years agoI entered for your Smiley Cookies
manthas24
15 years agoI entered for your Denim Print Gift Bag
manthas24
15 years agoI entered for your $25 Gift Certificate to Little One Books
manthas24
15 years agoI entered for your Nutcracker Drum Gift Basket
manthas24
15 years agoI entered for your Milson Road Daily Portrait
manthas24
15 years agoI entered for your Swavoski Ring from Chunky Bling
manthas24
15 years agoI entered for your $35 Etsy Gift Certificate to Leila's Lily Pad –
manthas24
15 years agoI follow you on Twitter @manthas24
manthas24
15 years agoI added you on FB
manthas24
15 years agoI follow you on GFC manthas24
manthas24
15 years agoI have you bookmarked – that is where I found the giveway
manthas24
15 years agoTweet http://twitter.com/manthas24/status/11174293245272064
manthas24
15 years agoI get the free folk feed on google reader
manthas24
15 years agoI hearted the free folk on etsy – manthas24
manthas24
15 years agoI also like the OOAK fantasy art doll, Elven Archer Falkon FEATURED ON FRONT PAGE OF ETSY
manthas24
15 years agoI like the miniature fairy dolls The Pixie-Doodles
Anonymous
15 years agoSeptember Ride
LOVE IT
singingthing@wilk4.com
Ravenfeather
15 years agoJust finalised the purchase of Madapple today and cannot wait to see him and his little owl!
bhcampbell(at)btinternet(dot)com
Ravenfeather
15 years agoI've just 're-tweeted' you.
bhcampbell(at)btinternet(dot)com
Ravenfeather
15 years agoI have also grabbed your blog button and applied it on my own blog, which you can view here: http://theenchantedgrovecraft.blogspot.com
Your button is a little way down on the right hand column.
bhcampbell(at)btinternet(dot)com
Ravenfeather
15 years agoI am in the process of making a purchase from Jordan's store – Madapple Grimoire will soon be making his way to the UK 🙂
bhcampbell(at)btinternet(dot)com
jordan
15 years agoRavenfeather let me know that she's in the UK, but would be willing to pay for the shipping if she could be a part of the giveaway! I don't mind if no one else does… Shipping to the UK shouldn't be hard! 🙂
Anonymous
15 years agoi LOVE the art dolls, espeecially Pearl the Pirate Princess. What a talented artist! kimbarsness(at)yahoo(dot)com
Ravenfeather
15 years agoI also love Tatiana Queen of Fairies with her very regal expression and the raised eyebrow. She is very lovely colours.
bhcampbell(at)btinternet(dot)com
Ravenfeather
15 years agoJordan herself let me know about this giveaway, after I had contacted her through Etsy, letting her know how much I admired her work.
bhcampbell(at)btinternet(dot)com
Ravenfeather
15 years agoI have started following your Blog, with my Google account – username Ravenfeather
bhcampbell(at)btinternet(dot)com
Ravenfeather
15 years agoI hearted The Free Folk shop on Etsy
bhcampbell(at)btinternet(dot)com
Ravenfeather
15 years agoI love Madapple Grimoire and also Falkon the Elf, also The Naturalist art collage, which I find very inspiring, as well as The Dream Journal altered notebook. Jordan is a truly inspiring artist and creator. I would love to be included in this giveaway; my email is: bhcampbell(at)btinternet(dot)com
shelbers434
15 years agoI love your Steampunk boy as well as Ironsider
snugles4433@hotmail.com
eclairre
15 years agoEntered The Free Folk. eclairre(at)ymail(dot)com
eclairre
15 years agoEntered the (Jewelicide) giveaway. eclairre(at)ymail(dot)com
eclairre
15 years agoEntered "Meet Allison
(AllisonBook)" giveaway.
eclairre
15 years agoMy favorite item is Lord of the Rings original collage – Autumn in Rivendell.
LadieJaye and Elegance Boutique
15 years agoWow way cool designs!
LadieJaye and Elegance Boutique
15 years agoWow way cool designs!
LadieJaye and Elegance Boutique
15 years agoWow way cool designs!
Give it to me Tara!
15 years agoLove the steampunk doll w/the owl:)
http://www.etsy.com/listing/59755961/ooak-steampunk-fantasy-art-doll-madapple
graphicdesignbytara@cox.net
Renee, aka mamacooker
15 years agoAn amazing artist.
Elephant Trunk Studio
15 years agoI found this giveaway from an Etsy forums post in the Promotions section. 🙂
Elephant Trunk Studio
15 years agoI'm following Gurgle's blog now.
Elephant Trunk Studio
15 years agoI hearted Gurgle Turtles Etsy shop. 🙂
Elephant Trunk Studio
15 years agoThe Key to Lothlorien is really cool!
Elephant Trunk Studio
15 years agoHi! I really like September ride. 🙂
aquariann
15 years agoI found this giveaway from Jordan's post on the Fantasy Artists of Etsy team!
aquariann
15 years agoI'm following your blog via GFC!
aquariann
15 years agoI'm following your blog via Networked Blogs! Here's mine – http://apps.facebook.com/blognetworks/blog/the_art_and_tree_chatter_of_aquariann?ref=mf
aquariann
15 years agoI hearted the Free Folk!
aquariann
15 years agoI like all of her items! Pearl the Pirate Princess is my next favorite.
aquariann
15 years agoLovely interview! I have to agree with Jordan – Madapple Grimoire is my favorite, too. 😀
underwater at aquariann dot com
jhitomi
15 years agoI found this giveaway posted on my daily email from Giveaway Scout!
jhbalvin at gmail dot com
jhitomi
15 years agofollowing this blog on gfc as jhb.
jhbalvin at gmail dot com
jhitomi
15 years agoI also love the Dream Journal altered book, it looks like a great gift for someone.
jhbalvin at gmail dot com
jhitomi
15 years agoI love Mauve, the fairy art doll. It's an incredible amount of work that goes into these dolls! Everything is lovely to look at.
jhbalvin at gmail dot com
jordan
15 years agoThank you so much for featuring me! The post looks wonderful! 🙂
Eva/ Lady Artisan
15 years agoGreat interview, Jordan! I love your Steampunk boy as well as Ironsider (yep, I do love the bad boys). And I, of course, had to heart your shop 😀