Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Moody.
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?
3 Generations started with my daughter getting us a clay class at Appalachian School of Craft. After that class, I bought a home studio, and quickly outgrew the space. I retired from my 9-5 job and started 3 Generations Art Studio with my mom and daughter. After my mother retired, Jennifer Kelley, who was in my first wheel class, and also became an instructor, became one of the owners. Devon, my daughter, is still part of the business, and helps where ever she is needed, mostly with shows. We have just brought on another owner, Cassaundra (Cass) Carroll, who also started as a student and became a teacher, then owner.
We have a couple of ladies that have become invaluable to us, Ms Betty, Ms Elice, EJ and Elizabeth. They each help in different way, and are such a blessing to have at the studio.
At the studio we do paint your own pottery. Jenn pours the molds, Elice cleans the pieces, and Cass and I get them fired so they are ready for customers to paint.
We do canvas painting classes. Jenn, Cass and Ms Betty are our wonderful instructors. We have Hand Building and wheel throwing classes, that Cass and I teach. And The Leaded Rose comes in to teach Stained Glass Classes. We have a wide variety of classes to help even the least creative people, be creative.
We also host an annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser to help a local feeding program. It’s a fun event that is a huge help to the community.
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?
Is owning a business ever a smooth road? There will always be ups and downs, but with the right team, it always has a way of working out. And we definitely have an amazing team.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Jessica – I teach clay classes. I started about 10 years ago after taking a 1 day class. For about 2 years, I had my hands in clay almost every day. I’m mostly self taught, but have done some workshops to improve my skills. As a teacher, I try to make sure I’m able to explain the steps in different way to make sure the students get the most out of the classes with us. I like to let everyone have their own creative freedom, while learning at the same time.
Jenn creates painting for our acrylic painting classes that are fun and whimsical. She is able to explain each step and teach the brush strokes in such a way that everyone leaves with a beautiful painting. Jenn also pours all of our molds and is working on teaching Cass as well.
Cass teaches painting, hand building and wheel throwing. She has taken what Jenn and I have taught her and put her own spin on it to also become an amazing teacher at the studio. She is able to add her own creativity to what we already had at the studio.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Don’t get discouraged! Any business starting out will have a couple of really good weeks to start and once the newness starts to wear off, the customers thin out. It will pick pack up and become consistent if you continue to work at it. Don’t be afraid to change things up if something isn’t going right.
From a financial standpoint, make sure you have more than you think you need to start.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.3generationsartstudio.com
- Instagram: https://Www.instagram.com/3generationsartstudio
- Facebook: https://Www.facebook.com/3generationspottery
