Name/Location
Lisa Jennings/ Houston, TX
Education
B.S. Advertising, University of Texas at Austin –Hook ‘em horns! J
Current City/Hometown
Houston, TX
Tell me about your work in one sentence.
I make invitations, announcements, and any sort of paper goods that celebrate “life’s biggest moments!”
Describe your normal day.
Well my ideal day would be to work on my business full time – that’s the goal! However, for now, I also work a full time job that has nothing to do with special events! It just makes me well-rounded, right? I must say that even though I don’t work on my business all day every day, I am constantly thinking about it. …so while, I’m at my “real” job I often find myself jotting down ideas or taking a quick break to look something up. In a moment the thought could be gone and then I’ve just let an opportunity pass me by! …I really have the most random ideas at the most random moments, so you gotta do what you gotta do, right?! I then spend most of my nights and most of my weekends bringing ideas to life. This could mean working on a client’s order or just randomly putting something together that could be used someday. …It’s going to be a miracle if I don’t have all of my children’s birthday parties planned until the time their 10 – and I don’t even have children yet!
What are your passions?
This – Invitation design is by far one of my biggest passions. I have always had a passion for ANYTHING creative. It started with t-shirt painting (yes, I was a child of the 80’s) and led to many random, creative projects with my best friend, Angee. I really wish we still had that putt-putt golf course we made out of a shoe box! We used a broken strand of twist beads (remember those??) for the golf balls. It was really cool!
Aside from invitation designing, I also love working out and baking (you have to do one to do the other, right)?! I’m pretty passionate about my husband, my nephews, friends and family too! …oh, and TCBY Peanut Butter Delight yogurt. Don’t get me started. I would buy the whole tub if they would let me!
What are your goals?
To eventually expand my business outside of my blog. Etsy will be my first stop! (Seriously, I could waste away an entire day perusing Etsy if I had the time. The site never ceases to amaze me)! That’s my short term goal. My long term goal is to eventually get enough business that I will be able to do this full time. J I would love to expand it into an event planning company as well. I’m telling you, I’m obsessed with special events. I love, love, love looking at wedding websites and seeing people’s “real weddings!”
Who are your creative influences?
When I think back over my life, I have to say that my dad and my best friend, Angee, have probably had the biggest influence on me creatively. I remember my dad drawing these cartoons for people at work, and working around the house building stuff. …and then there were always the school projects. He would always get so into it with me and help me bring my ideas to life. One in particular I remember is a hair accessory organizer made out of PVC pipe. Again, I was a child of the 80s – “Caboodles” were big business! The project was to invent something, so I put my own spin on the “Caboodle” and created this thing – ugly as it was – to hold hair dryers, curling irons, etc. It had a handle and there were 6 PVC pipes that were open at the top so that you could store stuff in them. To top it off we spray painted it purple. It was SO ugly, but creative for a 5th grader nonetheless! I definitely wouldn’t have been able to do it without my dad’s help!
Are there any other relevant experiences that shaped who you are today and what you do?
Working in advertising, living in NY, and getting married are the 3 major things that have shaped me into an invitation designer. Although I wasn’t on the creative side of advertising, working in the industry definitely had its influences on me. Seeing a campaign go from concept to execution really makes you notice and appreciate the thoughtfulness and creativity behind it. I think the same way about invitations – there has to be thoughtfulness and creativity behind a design to make it unique and memorable. …and then, well, NY – ‘nuff said! It’s the fashion, advertising, you-name-it capital of the world. There is just so much creativity going on around you all the time. All of the industry parties I attended may have had a little something to do with it too! I definitely think that’s where my fascination with events came into play. …And then lastly, my own wedding. That is probably the one biggest influence on my invitation business. It’s what made me decide to go forth with it! I spent countless hours planning our wedding and loved every single second. I knew the planning wasn’t something I wanted to give up when it was all over. …thus, Social-o-logy was born. J
Is there anyone that you really look up to as an inspiration?
My friends and family have all shaped me to be the person I am today. It’s amazing the inspiration I get from my nephews as well. Everything is new and exciting to them. Stepping back and thinking like a 5-year old from time to time can really put you in the creative spirit! Aside from people I know, I would say various artists, invitation designers, event planners, etc. inspire me. I could spend HOURS looking at people’s blogs. I randomly come across them as I’m searching around online and I become hooked! Sometimes all it takes is seeing someone else’s idea to inspire my own!
What motivates you on a daily basis?
Blog searching!
What are your websites/social networking links?
I can be found at www.social-o-logy.blogspot.com and on facebook under Lisa Holt Jennings. …an Etsy site and Social-o-logy Facebook coming soon! (Note that the blog is a work in progress too)! J
That invitation is adorable!!! Gina, I mentioned it before, but it is so great getting to learn about all of these amazingly talented people!!!
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