Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Beeson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started making pottery in 2011 at a community studio in Mesquite, Nevada. After a few years, I became the hand-building instructor for that studio. I was working full-time in Mesquite while being a hobby potter. My inventory started to grow and grow. I started doing juried art shows and festivals in 2013. In 2014, my husband retired and my job in the medical field was downsized from full-time to 9 hours per week. I was alarmed and not ready for retirement.
My husband said if we can live on my income then we can become full-time artists. I gave my notice and started making art full-time. We moved back to Utah in 2018 with the intention of opening a pottery shop/studio. We also opened a bed and breakfast on the same property. Our business co-oped 5 other local artists. We were open seasonally from May through September. I didn’t want my art to become a chore or a job with deadlines. We kept it pretty simple. I taught a lot of classes and ran the retail shop by myself.
When Covid hit us and my parent’s caregiving duties became overwhelming, we sold the property. The studio got moved to our garage and my jewelry workshop was moved into a shed. I still teach classes during the summer and went back to the juried art shows. I do 4 shows per year. I paint, draw, make jewelry, yard art, wind chimes, and pottery to name a few. I love all the art that I create and constantly take or teach workshops.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
So many struggles. So much blood, sweat, and tears went into opening a pottery shop, studio, and bed & breakfast in the same year. We really dug in and did all the work ourselves. We had to clean out an old tv and stereo repair shop, that had been in business for over 50 years. That was monumental trying to recycle old TV sets and find a place to take all the old inventory.
After we opened it became a very fun, rhythmic time for us. Covid hit us hard but my mom’s health hit us harder. I cried the day we listed the property for sale, but I also felt a great burden was lifted from my shoulders. We had 5 showings in 2 days and 3 best offers. We sold it 5 days later for much more than we were asking.
That’s when it hit us that we had a whole studio to move, a retail store to pack up, and no place to put it all. We invested in 2 Conex metal shipping containers for our backyard. Now we have a few hurdles this coming year in getting something built in the backyard where I can work year-round.
Keeping my fingers crossed.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have a very eclectic mind and this reflects in my work.
My main art and loves are pottery and jewelry. I also do stained glass, mosaics, yard art, welding, woodwork, lapidary, upcycled pieces… just so many ideas in my head all the time. I also paint, draw and knap arrowheads. I love leatherwork and Native American crafts.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I collaborate with other artists and my husband is my partner in crime. He’s my biggest supporter. In 2021, I hosted a Christmas Boutique, inviting local artists for a one-day show. We had a great time and agreed to have the Christmas show every year.
I get a lot of local support, we are growing our art community in this small town. I look forward to teaching a workshop in Mesquite, Nevada next month.
Pricing:
- $30 workshops or classes
- $30 plus firing fees for individual classes
- $1 -$250 is a range price for my art
Contact Info:
- Email: kbeeson1369@gmail.com
- Instagram: @kbeeson1369
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Beaverpotteryshop
Image Credits
Rigel Salazar
