Today we’d like to introduce you to Abby Jensen.
Hi Abby, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have always been a creative artist who desires to design and serve others through art. However, not knowing I would thrive in a creative position, I got my degree and spent quite a few years working in Law Enforcement. Year after year I grew more solemn and cynical until it eventually led to full blown depression. Facing the worst of humanities crimes and brokenness, I had lost hope and most of my joy. After moving to North Carolina for my husband’s Academic work, he challenged me to find my passion again through prayer and listening to the Holy Spirit’s plans for me.
After another year or so in the Corporate world, it finally got through to me! I had lost who I was; who God designed me to be: An artist who has a heart to serve others! That is what brings me joy and fullness of life: living in God’s designed purpose for my life! I immediately began researching, “Creative artist Jobs near me”, “Freelancing with artists in the Triangle”, “How to switch from the corporate world to the artist world?”. I was so driven with energy towards this revitalized purpose in life! Eventually, through the help of my church community and close wedding industry friends, I found out I could freelance with wedding professionals on the weekends while I stayed at my full-time job. This was the perfect step for the next few months while I soaked up as much knowledge of the industry I could and also paid my mortgage and bills on time.
Through my new connections in the wedding world, I managed to network with a large selection of talented wedding professionals, mostly florists and planners. It was during these weddings that the dream of doing this full time was born. I specifically remember getting to put the flowers on the cake at a wedding, while the planner and baker were preoccupied, and “something (literally) changing within me”! I knew it was flowers; it was always flowers! Growing up in a gardening family, where I spent my childhood summers planting vegetable gardens, or beautiful peony bushes with my grandmother in the mountains, or playing in the fields at my great grandparents flower/veggie farm, I always felt safe in the dirt and leaves. It was something familiar to me and the best form of experiencing God’s creativity and artistry at work! In that moment, and throughout countless nights in prayer and meditation, I knew for a fact that was the next step; to figure out how to share my love of nature and art with others, and specifically on the most celebrated day of their lives: The Wedding Day!
It has been almost 3 years since the epiphany and I am living in the Goodness of God! Jensen Creations NC has grown so much and is still growing each day! I have had the honor to serve some of the most amazing couples and get to hear their heart warming love stories and testimonies to my service! I am the happiest I have been in a very long time and now instead of looking at the clock and wondering, “when is the day over so I can go to sleep and escape?”, I know say “What a blessing it is to be designing a garden fairy wonderland wedding at 2pm on a Thursday afternoon! Thank you God!”. I spend most of my time now-a-days curated new business ideas to explore creativity and color, dancing to my favorite Maverik City worship music in my studio while designing, setting up and installing my designs at gorgeous weddings with the most beautiful couples, and truly being present each day I am alive!
I have been so blessed by The Lord to have been given a second chance to be alive! He has brought me out of the shadows and into the light, and all I can do is give Him my business and honor Him with it! It is only by God that I am here right now and Only God has blessed Jensen Creations into what it is today; a creative space for couples to experience the joy of wedding florals and the beauty of art through a heart of worship!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Learning and growing are key aspects of building a business, and neither are possible without a heart of faith. There have been multiple times where my faith was tested and there will be more times where my faith will be tested. Whether it’s struggles regarding finances, security, belonging, etc.., there are bound to be temptations to give into fear.
One of the ways I combat this fear is to 1. Give it to God in prayer, and 2. Filter the fears with a lens of The plans God has for me. If God got me this far and did not leave nor fail me, why would he now? Usually the further I get to God and His presence for strength the more I experience pressure for either side to worry or doubt or be afraid. But that’s exactly when I let God fight those battles for me and not give in to fear! If I live each day knowing it is Only by God that I am here and it is Only with God that I will keep moving forward, then that is the only faith I need in order to keep pushing!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a Wedding and Events Floral Designer! I create beautiful nature inspired fresh flower arrangements for lovely couples on their wedding day! I also work with clients to customize their color palette and vision to truly reflect their love story and personality through flowers! This includes curating a list of florals that reflect the temperature of the palette, the texture of the style, and the feel of their vision! I have always been an artist through all mediums, and it always comes down to temperature, texture, and theme to create a piece that communicates a clear message!
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I always ground my soul in The Word of God and worship music. I am always singing in my studio and love the energy and joy I feel through worship! I love the nuggets of wisdom I get through reading God’s words and truly feeling their connection to my life and my prayers. While I enjoy multiple genres of music, movies, and entertainment, no other word or music can make me feel this much joy and peace in my life and no other thing do I cling to for life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jensencreationsflowers.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jensencreationsnc/
