Kelsey Berry shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Kelsey, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
My art is such a priority for me and brings me so much joy, and one reason why I love it so much is because it still catches my interest even though it’s tucked into my day in a very mundane way. Most mornings I wake at 6:30 and go for a walk with my mom who lives next door to me. Then I come in at 7:30 and spend time with my 3 kids before they head off to school. I work in my garage studio from 9:00-2:00 and then leave to pick my daughter up from school at 2:30. My two sons unload off of the school bus from their elementary school at 4:15 and my husband gets home from running our shop around 5:00. The rest of the day is a song and dance that every mother of young kids is familiar with- the whirlwind of dinner, homework, bath, pajamas, snacks, that make up our evenings with a bedtime right at 8:30. Then my husband and I sneak in a few hours of conversation, funny youtube videos, or reading a book and call it a day!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kelsey Berry and I am a potter from Memphis, TN. I make small batch, wheel thrown, functional pieces of pottery in my home studio. I’m inspired by the simple pleasures in daily life and seek to make work that feels casual and suitable for everyday use. My pieces are sold primarily in a local shop called The Slowdown Shop in the Edge District that my husband and I run. He has a clothing brand called Slowdown Dry Goods and our shop sells clothing and pottery along with specialty food items, books, jewelry, and many other gift items. Our shop opened in February, and since then my husband, Eli, and I have been learning and relearning what works well and continuing to build the local shop of our dreams.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My relationship with my mom has always and still does shape how I see myself. I live next door to her and have always been extremely close to her. As I entered into motherhood, my mom was always there to help me learn and adjust to life with 3 kids under the age of 3. As I started focusing more on my pottery practice, my mom has been a listening ear who gives me ideas and talks through my endless lists for productions, markets, and all of my plans. Not to mention how she always wants a pieces from every new collection! If you’re one of her friends, you’ve probably been gifted a piece of kb pottery from my biggest fan.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
There are so many things I wish I could say to my younger self. One of the most important thing I’ve learned is that it is okay to change your mind, and that it is a natural side effect of growth. My views on marriage, religion, parenting, and politics have all shifted in a big way over the last 10 years. In many cases, I have felt a sense of fear or dread when I noticed my perspective shifting. But as I’ve leaned into what I know to be true, these shifts in perspective have brought more freedom in joy to my life. One of the biggest thing I’ve changed my mind on is committing to have a retail shop as the main source of income for my family. I was very hesitant when my husband presented the idea to me because it seemed risky and unattainable. Since then I’ve learned that sometimes things that seem too good to be true are really just great opportunities to be explored! I’ve learned to lean into this good thing and be grateful for the community support for local creatives!
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think that the idea we are continuously told about business growth are totally wrong for some business owners and artists. While many entrepreneurs are seeking to scale up to make online sales the main priority, opening up a small neighborhood shop is special in part because of its local focus. When it comes to pottery, my goal is not to scale production to be the most efficient and streamlined as possible- but instead to find connection and joy with the work I am doing to make functional art for others to use and enjoy. And some custom art orders that don’t align with the vision and style that I’m working towards aren’t worth the payout. Essentially, when it comes to art and small retail spaces, doing whatever it takes to make more money erodes at the features that make these spaces so special. Money isn’t everything for us and that is a bit scary, but also really fun to see play out.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’ve reached a place of balance in my life. Sometimes when I’m focusing really heavily on work and neglecting other areas I find myself stressed and easily agitated. Other times, when my kids are home for the summer and I’m not able to get much of my art practice in, I find that I’m deflated and lack motivation. When my family and work schedule are in sync, sometimes I feel like I need some time to just have fun with friends! Balancing lifestyles while being married to another small business owner who is very ambitious has its challenges! Things I do to maintain balance: cook creative meals I enjoy, stay connected to other artists, move my body, steal away chances to read, spend some time in the sun breathing in fresh air.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Slowdowndrygoods.com
- Instagram: Kelseyberrypottery
Image Credits
Nate Packard
