Welcome to the latest episode of Behind The Print, where we share the creative stories of industry leaders shaping the world of professional printing. In this episode of Behind The Print, I sit down with Jody Hildreth, the creative mind behind Acorn Whimsy. Jody is a photographer, author, and artist who transforms ordinary acorns into whimsical, fully articulated figures, combining storytelling and photography in a way that has captivated people worldwide. We’ll dive into his creative process, how his work evolved from landscape photography to miniature storytelling, and how print has played a vital role in bringing his art to life. From self-published books to custom calendars, Jody shares how print allows him to expand his audience and showcase his work in a tangible, memorable way.

Below, you’ll find the transcript of our conversation, edited for clarity to ensure easy reading. If you want the full, authentic experience, make sure to check out the video attached at the end of this post.

7-minute read

“At the beginning, I really didn’t even want to sell my work as a photographer. But I had close friends saying, ‘You need to sell your work.’ It was taking that leap of faith and trying.” Jody Hildreth, Owner of Acorn Whimsy

Transcripts from Behind The Print with Jody Hildreth, Photographer & Owner of Acorn Whimsy

Welcome back to Behind the Print podcast, where we feature industry leaders and uncover the creative minds behind businesses in the professional printing world. Our mission is to provide you with inspiring, actionable resources to elevate your business projects and accelerate your journey to excellence in profit and print.

Today’s episode is  The Whimsical World of Acorns, and I’m here today with Photographer and Owner of Acorn Whimsy, Jody Hildreth!

Jody Hildreth: Thanks for having me!

Zoe Fisher: So, how did Acorn Whimsy start?

Jody Hildreth: I’ve been doing photography for a long time—landscapes, wildlife—but when COVID hit, I couldn’t travel. I came across an artist in the Czech Republic who made little acorn figures, and I thought, “That looks fun, I should try it!” The problem was, I couldn’t go outside to gather acorns at the time, so I ended up buying some on Etsy. My wife thought I was crazy. Acorn Whimsy was born and four years later, I’m still going, posting a new picture every day.

Zoe Fisher: That’s amazing! Your figures are so detailed. What’s your process for making them?

Jody Hildreth: I don’t sketch anything out like other artists. I just start building, and it all happens in my head. My latest project for Acorn Whimsy, a dragon, took about three days. I started with the head, then the body, then figured out how to add wings. My acorns are unique because they aren’t glued together. They’re wired, so they can move. I can change their poses, adjust their expressions, and reuse them in different scenes. Check out the full episode to see this dragon in action!

Zoe Fisher: That is so cool that you not only found a community of other 3D nature artists but that you’ve all had such success in this fun art style of creation. You’ve built a big following on Facebook especially. Who typically engages with Acorn Whimsy the most?

“Once they walk by my booth and see Acorn Whimsy, they’re not sure what it is. But as soon as I show them one of the characters, they get it. Then they’re like, ‘Oh, I know someone who plays volleyball!’ or ‘I know someone who plays piano!’ And that’s when I get them hooked.” Jody Hildreth, Owner of Acorn Whimsy

Jody Hildreth: I have a core group of people who comment on every post. They leave these witty captions that sometimes make me laugh harder than the photo itself. I’ve connected with artists from all over, like Germany and Australia, who create similar things. We share ideas, but our styles are all different. My characters are more human-like. This past summer, I had them compete in every Olympic event, which took months to plan. This is truly something special that I can share with the world, and I am far from quitting. My fans send me new ideas all of the time and the list is quite long now. Haha

Zoe Fisher: That’s so fun. And you take custom requests too, right?

Jody Hildreth: Yeah! Someone once asked for a sousaphone player for their son. Now I have an entire acorn marching band.

Zoe Fisher: You’ve self-published books and had some picked up by a publisher. How did that come about?

“I did do my first book as a self-published book that I used PrintingCenterUSA for. It came out fantastic. Then we were at a craft show, and we were lucky to have a publisher walk by the booth, and they’ve since published six of my books.” Jody Hildreth, Owner of Acorn Whimsy

Jody Hildreth: At craft shows, other artist and some friends of mine kept saying, “You need to make a book.” So I made one and printed it through PrintingCenterUSA, and it came out amazing. Then, at one craft show, a publisher walked by my booth. That led to six published books, plus others I’ve done myself.

Zoe Fisher: Congratulations! What’s been your best-selling design?

Jody Hildreth: Sports acorns are always popular, especially pickleball players. But my favorite customers are the ones who find my toilet humor acorns. Older women will flip through my boxes, then suddenly start laughing and call their friends over when they find one. Seeing that reaction is the best.

Zoe Fisher: Your work blends photography and sculpture. How did you transition from landscapes to acorn photography?

Jody Hildreth: My photography background helped, but working on such a small scale was a challenge. I love experimenting with lighting, fog machines, and tiny props. I once built a grand piano for an acorn, took a shot of it by the ocean, and right after, the tide started pulling the piano away. I grabbed it just in time.

Zoe Fisher: Social media plays a big role in your business. What’s worked best for you?

Jody Hildreth: Facebook has been great, but I struggle with Instagram. TikTok is new for me, but people love behind-the-scenes content. Some assume my work is AI-generated, so I show them the process to prove it’s real and that is a huge hit.

Zoe Fisher: What’s been your biggest milestone?

Jody Hildreth: Getting my books published. As a retired children’s librarian, seeing my own books in print was surreal.

Zoe Fisher: Every business has challenges. What’s your biggest struggle right now?

Jody Hildreth: Keeping up with social media. I know I should post more behind-the-scenes videos, but I get so focused on creating that I forget to record.

“Some people see my photos and think, ‘Oh, this is just AI, it’s computer-generated.’ But when I show the video of me actually creating it, they get really excited.” Jody Hildreth, Owner of Acorn Whimsy

Zoe Fisher: That is so cool. Truly inspiring how you get lost in your work and create as if no one were looking. If you had a free day, what would you be doing?

Jody Hildreth: I’d still be outdoors, probably in a national park.

Zoe Fisher: Your calendar features special holidays on some of the dates within the calendar you create. How do you pick them?

Jody Hildreth: I love weird holidays like National Toilet Day and National Sword Swallower Day. I add little images to the calendar so there’s always a surprise.

Zoe Fisher: Where can people find and support your work?

Jody Hildreth: I’m on Facebook and Instagram under Acorn Whimsy, and my online store is AcornWhimsy.com.

Zoe Fisher: Be sure to check out Acorn Whimsy. Jody’s creativity is truly one of a kind.

That’s a wrap on another episode of Behind The Print. Thanks to our listeners for joining us as we explore the artistry and innovation of the printing world. Remember, have a strong vision, build the right strategy, and use tools like print to amplify your message and make your brand stand out.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, be sure to get your sample pack today from PrintingCenterUSA.com and share it with your fellow business enthusiasts. Until next time, keep your creative sparks flying, and remember, there’s always more to discover behind the print.

Bringing Tiny Worlds to Life!

From imaginative storytelling to beautifully printed books, Jody Hildreth’s Acorn Whimsy captures the magic of creativity and detail. His ability to blend photography, sculpture, and humor has created a dedicated following, and print plays a crucial role in preserving and sharing his work. Whether it’s books, calendars, or custom artwork, professional printing helps artists like Jody turn their vision into something people can hold, cherish, and display.

Explore how custom printing can bring your ideas to life. Order today!

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