Meet the Maker AP - Earthly

By Jenny Vickers Chyb

The Asbury Park Bazaar's "Meet the Maker AP" series highlights local and regional artists and makers that you can find at our upcoming Valentine's Market taking place Saturday & Sunday, Feb 11 & 12, from noon to 5 pm in the Grand Arcade of Convention Hall in beautiful Asbury Park!

Today's #MeetTheMakerAP is Jacqui Jacques of Earthly. Jacqui designs handmade and botanically dyed textiles with flowers, herbs, leaves, and plant pigments. She wild-forages and carefully selects plants as well as uses upcycled fabrics to cause minimal strain on our planet's resources. For the Valentine's Market, extra sensual items will be in full force! Botanical panties, sheer silk tops, and kimonos for sexy lounging, but she'll also have hand-dyed yoga pants and apparel, so be sure to stop by and pick up that perfect gift for your special gal (or treat yourself!) on Sunday, February 12th!

1) How did your business get its start?

I studied both apparel design and textiles, so it sort of naturally led me to create Earthly.  I love the art and style of fashion, but I am really here trying to encourage sustainable practices in the fashion industry.  I see Earthly as more of a lifestyle collection and a collaborative guide to what’s really good!

2) What motivates you as an artist and maker?

I’ve always had my intentions of creation focused on making things that contribute to the health of our planet and all it’s beings. Trying to practice and promote sustainability within the most wasteful industry on earth (fashion), is extremely daunting.  But I figure, if even a handful of people support my earth-friendly goods, this small change could ripple into bigger effects.  I have huge dreams for the things Earthly, and other eco-conscious businesses like it, could do.

3) Where did you grow up and where do you live and work now? What is your favorite part about living there?

I grew up in Shrewsbury mostly.  I ended up living in the Bay Area and hopping around Europe before I spent 2016 in Asbury.  The community here is so electric, so supportive, I tell everyone “people there just *get it*”.  Earthly has been in business for about a year now, however, I feel like the second I entered the AP world is when it became real.

4) Walk us through a day in the life in your work space.

My creative process always depends on what is available to me in terms of local plant-life, or what friends / florists have donated. Every step of creating is like a meditation for me. Each piece of the long process is a work of art.

No day is the same, no piece of fabric comes out like I expect it to.  Every day is messy, covered in flower petals, pigments and dirt. Constantly ushering tiny insects outside ;)

5) What are you most looking forward to at the Asbury Park Bazaar this Valentine's Market?

Roller skating, like what! That’s dope.

6) Why should people shop small / shop local for Valentine's and year round for that matter?

There are so many reasons! But I’ll keep it simple and say by supporting us, you are doing something direct and tangible to make the world a better place!

7) What are you Valentine's weekend plans other than selling?

Hopefully I’ll be jumping into a puddle of rose petals at some point

8) If your planning to join us at our Roller Boogie in Convention Hall, what would be your perfect roller skating outfit?

If I could look like any of them!