Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nick And Lena Beam. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Nick and Lena, thanks for joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
Growing up in lower-class areas, we couldn’t afford the things we liked, so we had to make them ourselves. This necessity sparked our creativity and taught us to make do with what we had, figuring things out along the way.
While money would have undoubtedly sped up our learning, we appreciate the journey we took. It forced us to be resourceful and resilient, skills we value greatly.
Learning how to use tools has been the most essential skill we’ve gained. It’s not just about the physical tools, but also about the ability to improvise and adapt.
Time is always the biggest obstacle, especially with having a large family. Balancing our commitments while continuing to learn has been challenging.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
We both started out crafting various items, from custom furniture and paintings to home decorations. Despite our different beginnings, our shared love for the macabre brought us together. We noticed a lack of market for this type of art in our area, so we began creating dark and spooky decorations for our own home. To our surprise, our friends and locals loved them too and started asking to purchase our creations.
Our products include everything from signs, entomology art, displays for vintage medical tools, wet specimens, and more. We work with vintage medical syringes, lobotomy kits, butterflies, spiders, and other unique items to create one-of-a-kind pieces. If it’s for macabre enthusiasts, we make it. Our work fills a unique niche, offering art and decor that caters to lovers of the dark and spooky.
We’re immensely proud of every piece we create. If we had the space, we’d keep all of it ourselves. However, we take great joy in sharing our passion with fellow enthusiasts. Providing this niche genre of art to those who appreciate it as much as we do is truly rewarding.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to bring ideas to life and see them resonate with others. There’s a unique joy in knowing that something you created can evoke emotions, spark conversations, and inspire others. For us, specifically, it’s incredibly fulfilling to see our work appreciated by fellow macabre enthusiasts. Knowing that our pieces bring joy and intrigue to others’ lives is what makes all the effort worthwhile. Creating art that connects with people on a personal level and contributes to the niche community we love is truly rewarding.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
Creating this type of art requires more than just physical effort; it involves a significant emotional and mental investment. The process of envisioning, designing, and crafting each piece is filled with moments of inspiration, experimentation, and sometimes frustration. What seems like a straightforward idea can take a lot of trial and error to perfect, and it demands patience and perseverance.
Another challenge we face is balancing our love for creating with the practical aspects of running a business. We often feel the pressure to continuously innovate and meet our clients’ expectations, all while managing time constraints, especially with having a large family. The joy we see in our clients when they appreciate and connect with our work makes all the effort worthwhile, but it’s not always an easy path.
Understanding this journey can help non-creatives appreciate the dedication and passion that goes into every piece. It’s not just about making art; it’s about sharing a part of ourselves and creating something that resonates with others on a profound level.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/etchandpour/
Image Credits
Lena Beam