Positively Inspirational: The Wearable Art of the Antiques Shows

In this monthly series, local realtor Andrea Schutter Riebeling does a Q & A with local business people about what inspires them. This month’s interview is with vintage vendor Courtney Jansky.

1.) What is your business?

My name is Courtney Jansky, and I am the artist behind Suede and Honey. I am originally from San Antonio. I specialize in different mediums but if you have been in the Round Top area the past three years, you have probably seen my work on custom hats as well as vintage clothing. I take hats as well as unique new and vintage pieces, add my artwork to make one of a kind masterpiece. Essentially you are getting “Wearable Art.”

2.) How did you get started? 

I was in a corporate 9-5 job for a little over three years and was not happy. I was always doing little side jobs showing my artistic side of things. This included doing calligraphy for weddings, chalkboard signs and custom painted jackets. When COVID hit in 2020, we were forced to work from home and it was not for me. I decided to quit and find a new job but while looking I decided to treat my artistic hobby like a full time job and within a few weeks I realized if I kept this up, I could financial support myself and actually succeed more than I was in my previous job.

3.) How long have you been in business?

I have been in business for four years but this year has definitely been the most fun and full of change. I have been setting up at Zapp Hall in Warrenton for the past three years for both the spring and fall antique shows. It wasn’t until the end of this past spring show that I met Allen with Thunderbird Hats. Allen sets up at the 550 Market in Round Top. I walked in there and was amazed with the variety and uniqueness of hats that he carried in his store. Allen is originally from a small town in Kansas and has been going back and forth from Round Top to Santa Fe for the past few years. Although he has another store in Santa Fe, he has really enjoyed the country living in Round Top. Allen has been doing hats for over 30 years now. What also started as a hobby for him turned into a successful business. He would make hats for himself and over time all his friends wanted one and that is how Thunderbird Hats started. I made a hat for him towards the end of the show and once he saw it, we both knew that our style and hats would only complement each other.

4.) Is this a family or one 

What once started as a oneperson business now has become a fun and great partnership. People laugh at our banter that we provide in the store because although we are full of sarcasm and funny jokes, our art and workmanship feed off of each other making the most beautiful one of a kind pieces.

5.) What kind of service do you provide? 

Our store is an experience in its self. We just went through a whole renovation, almost tripling the size of the store. We take new hats and turn these hats into one of a kind pieces. We make a style for anyone and everyone. If you are looking for more of a “worn” look, we also provide the largest collection of vintage hats in all of Round Top. All these hats can be as complex to as simple as you want. We can also add a ranch brand or logo to them as well to provide a personalized touch.

6.) Tell me something unique about your business?

Everything that we sell is unique. If you get a hat from Thunderbird Hats, you will never see the same hat around. We want people to come into our store and have a good time. Try on all the hats, take pictures and find the perfect on for you.

7.) What is your background? I grew up in San Antonio and graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in Communications and Marketing. I come from an artistic family. We all have our niche, which has been really fun. If I have a few free days, you can find me working with my older sister doing murals all around Texas. This has become a fun, bonding activity for us, because not only are we doing what we love, but we get to do it together.

8.) What do you suggest to others who want to venture out and take a leap of action in the future of their career? I would just say do it. Quitting my job to do art full time was a risk. Many people did not think I would be able to make it. But you have to take the things that they say with a grain of salt and use it to prove them wrong.

9.) Do you believe in college, trade school, or any training? College was great for me, although I didn’t really know what I wanted to do right out of school. It helped me learn what I didn’t want to do. Although I feel depending on your industry and career field you can be extremely successful without it. College was a great experience for me but I also understand that it is not for everyone.

10.) How did you decide to make Round Top your home? Round Top is full of artist and other like minded people like me. If you would have asked me three months ago if I would be living in Round Top, I would say absolutely not. Everything fell in place, and although it was scary leaving all my friends and family back in San Antonio, it has been the biggest blessing. Allen and I are very excited about the new addition to the store and can’t wait for people to see it this fall show.