Passionate mother from Spalding gains more than 85,000 followers on TikTok after pursuing her love of art

A passionate mother who used art as a way to overcome post natal depression is hoping to inspire a younger generation with her TikTok account – which has 85,000 followers.

Jade Cundy, 33, of Spalding, re-discovered her love of art after having her son in 2016 and used the hobby as self therapy technique to help her through a difficult period in her life.

She said: “I have always been into art since a young age but I was always told during my time in education that I could never have a career in art and for a long time I listened to what those people said and didn’t do what I really wanted to do.

“After having my son, I started art again as a self-therapy thing when I struggled with post natal depression.

“I was making milestone chalkboards for babies, which got quite a lot of attention on Instagram. As a result of that post, someone contacted me in 2018 and asked if I would paint on her leather jacket for her wedding day.

“I said yes, and from then onwards I was able to quit my office job and create a full time business.

“It’s so bizarre but amazing at the same time. To think that it all started at my little dining table and now my designs are being worn by people all over the world.”

Jade founded her business, Painted Love Customs, and began experimenting with different designs. Inspired by tattoo art, she now creates bespoke and personal prints on leather jackets, Dr. Martens, bags and trainers.

Following the attention of her work on Instagram, Jade decided to upload videos on TikTok – which is another social media platform.

She said: “It was never my intention to fall into the wedding sector, it just kind of happened. During covid, businesses like mine really struggled, especially because no one was really getting married.

“I joined TikTok in 2021 and this helped me get my work out there. Since then I have been able to ship my products nationally – I have people in Australia wearing my designs and the project I am working on at the moment is going to Las Vegas.

“Without TikTok and the pandemic, I don’t think I’d still be doing what I’m doing – TikTok really did save my business.

“It’s a real pinch myself moment, like wow, people are actually wearing my designs that I have created – It’s mad.

“Imposter syndrome is real, especially when working in the creative industry. It is something which is so hard to get over and when I receive success, I don’t feel like I deserve it at times.”

After her experience during school and college, Jade hopes that by making TikTok videos, she will reach a younger audience with a hope to inspire them.

Jade said: “I wish I was encouraged more at secondary school but I think the way things are going in the right direction nowadays. I never went to university or studied art, I just wanted to do it and decided to give it a go. There are a lot of young people on TikTok and I want to show them they can do it. If they genuinely have a dream to do it, just give it a go.

“I am hoping to inspire my followers and I have previously received comments from people telling me that I have inspired them. I think it is also really important to show my customers and followers the behind the scenes of how it all works.”

Jade explained how some of her designs can take between three and four days to complete. She said: “The process starts when people get into contact with me through the website or social media and I always ask them to send me a mood board of what kind of vibe they want. I then create a ‘mock up design’ and the customer will either approve it, or we will spend time improving it to however they want.

“They will then send me the item they want me to paint. I am always encouraging people to up-cycle old jackets or something that might be gathering dust in the wardrobe.

“The projects I love to do most are when there are hidden details a customer wants me to include in the design which is special to the person who is going to wear it. Everything is hand painted and even when I get two designs that are similar, they will both be individual.”

Some of the videos on Jade’s TikTok account include day in the life vlogs, painting, behind the scenes and more.

She added: “It has been amazing. There are strangers out there who are so supportive and it’s been amazing. I never expected to have the amount of followers on TikTok and it’s nice to have that community out there.

“For anyone who is thinking about getting into TikTok or they need more confidence to start up a business, I would say the main thing is that you need to show your personality. Believing in yourself does wonders and if you pretend to be confident, you will gradually start to feel more confident.”

All of Jade’s designs can be viewed by visiting the Painted Love Customs website or Instagram page.