Coterie Spotlight: Get to Know Shevon Gant Ceramics

Remember the movie, Ghost?  Who doesn’t?  Anyways, when you think of that movie, what’s the first thing that comes to mind…the pottery scene! Well, at least for me, that’s what comes to mind.  No one will ever forget that ever so popular scene with Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore…the clay…the romance.  This week’s Coterie Spotlight is on a budding artisan that’s extremely talented and creative beyond measure.  Shevon Gant Ceramics is a brand you should know about…and I predict it’ll someday be a household name.  In this interview, you’ll get to know more about Shevon Gant, owner of Shevon Gant Ceramics.  I’m truly thrilled to have her as a new member of The Coterie.

Tell us a little about your background and how you got started?

I got introduced to ceramics in my senior year of high school.  It evoked the creative side in me that I knew I had but never had the opportunity to develop.  I loved the materials and the process. At my senior graduation ceremony I sat and watched fellow classmates received awards for their excellence in math and reading and I was amazed the moment I heard my name
called for an award for excellence in ceramics.   I then went on to attend a visual art school and I received a Bachelor Fine Arts in Sculpture 2002.

Making ceramics and creating has been apart of my life ever since and being a creative entrepreneur naturally went with this vocation.

What are your dreams for Shevon Gant Ceramics?

My dream for Shevon Gant Ceramics is to create a brand that will inspire creativity, generosity and authenticity. My business right now has two components.  The first is products and the second is teaching.  I want my business to have a lasting legacy in the artisan gift industry, so in the future I want to have an apprenticeship program so that I could pass down my level of skill, values and training to the next generation.  A flagship store with a built in cafe and studio for children, families and senior workshops would be nice as well!

What do you love most about your job?

There are so many things I love about my job.  I love that I can use my gift to fill a need.  I love that my work becomes part of my customer’s daily life, history and celebrations. I love being creative everyday.  I love having a job with both flexibility and growth.  I love emails from customers who share how happy they are with something I’ve made for them.

What has been your favorite creation and why?

Well, it changes!  But I will have say teapots because they are very hard to make and get right. The angle of the spout verse the handle position has to be just right so that hot water can pour smooth and evenly can be
tricky.  When I make a good teapot that pours well I’m very happy.  I get into seasons where I love throwing plates then making mugs etc.. or I will try a new technique I’ve learned and then focus on that for a while.

Repetition is important for learning and mastery. So for example when I make bowls I make many at once then move on to the next item or project.  But there are certain items that I have to make for my business whether I feel like it or not.   I try to work on them first then make whatever I want after. I think that keeps my practice interesting.

What’s your most popular item?

My most popular item is my mini jewelry trays people love them.  The shiny glass center of the trays are really eye catching and it very feminine.  I get most of my I orders for bridesmaid’s gifts, birthday party favors.  Tied at second best sellers are mugs and white porcelain custom initial necklaces.

Is there anything about yourself that you’d like our readers to know?

Well, I’m a huge foodie and studied culinary arts.   I enjoy and consider it a great honor to  provide couples with gifts and keepsakes that will become a modern heirloom  for such meaningful occasions as such a wedding or anniversaries.

Also, I have wedding planning resources page on my website.  I have helpful links on everything from  handcrafted rings and head pieces to charitable registries.

What’s in your handbag right now?

I can’t leave home without my sketchbook, camera, and trail mix and hand cream. (ashy dry hands are not cute!)

iphone, blackberry or android?

none of the above ( Don’t ask!)

Mac or pc?

Mac

If you could travel to any location right now, where would it be?

That’s is easy! I would travel to the Canyon Ranch Resort in Lenox, Massachusetts.

Favorite song? Book? Movie?

song: Basically anything Michael Jackson or Stevie Wonder.  

Book: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey.

Movie: Beauty and the Beast (I’m a sucker for romance and animation)

Guilty pleasure?

My mom’s baked Mac & Cheese and of course chocolate.

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Thanks so much for sharing more about your business with our readers!   You can learn more about Shevon Gant Ceramics by visiting her Coterie listing here, becoming a fan on facebook, and following her on pinterest.