We recently connected with Shannon Leighty and have shared our conversation below.
Shannon, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?
The main service that I offer through my business, Dreaming Heart Ceramics, is customized Intuitive Crystal Ceramic Mugs. Each mug is created through the unique lens of my clairvoyant abilities/intuition and my knowledge of the chakra body. For each mug I tune into the clients energy and see where they are needing support in their healing process and then create a mug that compliments this for them. This is a way that the client is able to have that healing process with them in their home and be reminded/supported every time they use their mug.
This idea came to me over the last three years and really culminated through out 2022. I have been a ceramic artist for over 20 yrs and taught art/ceramics for 8 of those yrs. Once I quit teaching full time I began really honing in on my personal ceramic skills, which led to having shows within the Los Angels area, however it wasn’t until I moved back to my home city of Richmond that I created my very own ceramic studio in my house. This is when my creative genius really took off! I also am a clairvoyant/psychic medium and have been doing readings for folks for 10 yrs now. I love helping individuals to see where and how to take their next steps in their journeys!
Over the past three years those two passions of mine have started to combine forces and has brought me to the place and offering that I provide now.
Creating individual Intuitive Crystal Mugs!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I have been working with clay since I was in high school! I absolutely love the way clay feels in my hands and I love the ability to make things that I and others can actually use on a daily basis or simply have in their homes to look at and enjoy, visually. I create both functional and non functional art for myself and for my clients. I began my clay journey while I was in high school, however I really went all in while I was at James Madison University. I graduated with a BFA and concentration in ceramics and fiber arts, As well as my teaching license in Art Ed k-12. I went on to teach 5 yrs of art and 3 yrs of ceramics at the high school level.
I quit teaching in 2012 and went on to work in studios in the Los angels area and had a few different shows around the area. However it wasn’t until I moved back to my home city of Richmond Va in 2017 that I really started my business, Dreaming Heart Ceramics! “Dreaming BIG from my heart to yours”
I created my own studio within my home and have worked diligently within that studio space for the last 3 yrs creating Intuitive Crystal Mugs (functional) and custom wall hangings (non-functional) for my clients.
My offerings have shifted over this time period but have landed on these two main things.
One of the other aspects of my offerings is the intuitive/psychic aspect. I have been honing in on my psychic abilities over the last 12 yrs and have offered readings for individuals through out this time and still do on a limited basis, however what I find most enjoyable is creating chakra drawings for my clients and then creating a mug with a certain crystal that reflects the chakra reading. I find each one that I make to super satisfying, and the amount of Joy and healing that it brings each individual is super affirming and incredible to say the least!
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to learn is being up front about my pricing from the get go and to not be afraid to charge what you are worth. When I first started truly offering my ceramics as a business back in 2019 the first people that come out to support me were my friends and family. And this will be the same for anyone starting a business.
There was one particular friend who was also an artist who I had purchased work from. She asked me to make her a wall hanging and I said of course, however I made the BIG mistake of not being clear about what I was charging for my wall hangings. When it came time to bring them their new piece, they asked what they owed me, I gave them my price and it was not what they were expecting and because of this it created tension and a very uncomfortable situation. While there was miscommunication on both sides, it made me realize very quickly how it’s so important as the artist to be crystal clear about what your prices are and realizing also in that, that you’re work is not too expensive, you work super hard on your work and it is worth every penny to those that appreciate it, however your work may not be in everyone’s budget and that’s ok too. Being clear and upfront helps to make sure this situation doesn’t happen for you!
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I was working super diligently from 2019-to 2021 and had a lot of great business coming in on a fairly regular basis. However, I had an accident and tore the tendon in my elbow, making it extremely painful for me to create on a regular basis. I had to stop and take care of this and ended up getting surgery in the summer of 2022. This out a massive wrench in my ability to create and I had to put things on pause for almost 6 months. It was a struggle in my mental health to take this much time off. I am fortunate that my business is not what my family relied on to live and was able to take the time off, however during that time I really had to pivot my creative outlets. As a creative I’m sure you understand just how important it is to always be doing something that keeps that creative genius within you inspired. I found that journaling and drawing in sketchbooks was a big way that helped me through this time and I am happy to say that I am all healed and back in my studio creating ceramic art once again!
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.dreaming-heart.com
- Instagram: Dreamingheartartist