We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jazmin Evers. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jazmin below.

Jazmin, looking forward to hearing all of your stories 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?

Some people know what they want to be when they grow up pretty early in life, but I spent most of my adult life trying to figure it out. I started out hoping to be an English teacher like my dad as he was hometown famous and everyone loved him. Eventually I came to realize it wasn’t what he taught that made him famous, it was HIM. He made people feel important and loved. How can I give back to my community in the same way and also make money doing it? Whatever it was, I would make sure I was in love with it. I began by exploring the craft of welding and did fall in love! I eventually got a welding degree and received many certifications such as overhead and pipe while doing so. But there was a problem: although I loved it, I did not love being in full gear all day. I loved the sun and being outside and welding was restricting. What else could I do?

While getting my degree in welding I took a pottery class for fun and it was all over. A girl in the class was amazing at it and got accepted to a University in New York for a BFA in Pottery. She would move there from California the coming semester. Who would’ve known a pottery degree existed? If she could do it, so could I. I applied to different schools and got accepted to Cal State Long Beach where my exploration of pottery would expand beyond belief.

I was making pottery and firing every day, normally multiple kilns a day. Keep in mind one firing could take from 5 – 1o hours. I would fire student work, I would fire upside down and backwards if I could. I stayed all night many times keeping the kilns going and loved every second of it. I got the excitement of the extreme heat like I did with welding and the satisfaction of Christmas Day when the firing was done and I got to open the kiln. I’d stare in amazement before touching the pottery because as of that moment, no one on earth had touched those finished pieces yet. It was a beautiful process.

I could honestly say I wouldn’t change a thing about the learning process I went through. It was perfect and I’m still learning every day. I use my knowledge and share it with others, teaching adult classes and one-on-ones. My goal is to make people feel like my dad did when teaching. My community is very important to me and I’m honored that they allow me to help stimulate a part of their brain that perhaps they don’t use every day. I love teaching and they love learning, and I hope that they also stare at their finished pieces in amazement just like I still do, proud and confident in what they can create now and in the future.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I got into the industry of pottery first through my community college in San Luis Obispo, CA, then through Cal State Long Beach where I was allowed to fire my own work and fully take charge of my future business. I decided with this knowledge I would keep making functional pottery to sell to those who love one-of-a-kind, unique handmade ceramics in their homes as well as use my knowledge to teach anyone who was willing to learn.

At first I wanted to teach at a University but attending one made me realize that I didn’t necessarily agree with the politics and agenda of the school and I’d be better off teaching privately. I loved making things that were beautiful and made you smile, or feel good when you drank or ate out of it. On the contrary other students were creating work that would represent topics such as rape, death or infertility. While these topics are important, I personally do not want to depict these feelings onto others through my pottery and me being so “vanilla” was frowned upon.

I remember sitting on the floor of my last show with my head in my hands crying once everyone had left. I had done what in my opinion was my best work ever. I worked the hardest I had ever worked, studying and layering glazes to create the most beautifully colored surfaces. I had made huge elegant vases, some carved and with fancy intricate handles with real plants and flowers in them. I made pocket wall planters and hung them throughout the room, creating a tropical paradise that was eye candy. I received nothing but negativity from my peers. One student commented in the critique that the wall planters reminded them of someone hanging dead on a cross. The professor didn’t argue.

That experience went from me being devasted, to angry, to confident and dedicated. Why should I be ashamed of trying to make people feel good? There will always be horrible things happening in the world but I will focus on what I can control. I now will dedicate my life to making people feel good and confident in whatever they want to accomplish. I had one student I taught for years and seeing her so happy the first time she threw a pot on the potters wheel was priceless. Helping mothers get a second to themselves to make a little pinch pot and have a glass of wine at one of our adult group classes is a beautiful thing. Making someone excited to drink their morning coffee out of their special one-of-a-kind mug that fits perfectly in their hands is an honor. My goal in life is to keep spreading happiness, kindness and love through my teaching and making of pottery.

Although I had a rough experience in college, I wouldn’t change anything. My experience made me who I am today. The constant negativity about my pretty work made me want to make things prettier. I believed in making people feel good through their senses then and still feel that way today. The negativity itself made me want to spread nothing but positivity. Their doubts made me grow confident. It was hard and many tears were shed but I am who I am today because of it and I am forever grateful. Evers Art Shop is dedicated to putting a smile on peoples faces, whether its through the pottery itself or teaching it to those who are willing to learn.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Being a business person and dealing with money can be very uncomfortable. I would give away my pottery for free if I could, but unfortunately I need to make money to purchase more clay, glazes and pay the electricity bill after a firing. Life simply isn’t free and asking someone for money for a product is not fun. The way I’ve learned to overcome these awkward feelings is shockingly not through any schooling but through books. The best business and life bible I would recommend would be, “How to Win Friends & Influence People,” by Dale Carnegie. This book stays with me everywhere I go. It basically just tells you how to be a good person by smiling often, remembering peoples names, being positive, never arguing or putting people down, etc. These life lessons can be learned and will lead you to a better life in general. The best part is that you have to be genuine for it all to work. What could be better?

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I am honestly not the most computer savvy person in the world and creating a social media following has not been easy. I struggle with the ethics of it but also realize how it can be used as a tool for creatives like me to learn and grow. It also is the best way to get my new work out into the world as I’m making new pottery every day. The best way I believe I’ve grown my social media following has been simply through networking. Getting my handles on my business card, handing them out at craft fairs and shows or when I meet someone who is interested in handmade art.

I also had to learn how to create process videos and content that is appealing to viewers. These videos really help show that pottery isn’t as easy as some people might think and took years of college to learn how to do it. I also learn what to do by watching YouTube videos and getting advice from people who are more educated in certain areas that I’m not as familiar with. If you’re trying to build your social media presence, I would recommend asking for help. Look up all the videos you can on what to do including on what the platform itself is doing regarding algorithms and changes. There is always so much to learn and being open minded is a wonderful way to get the knowledge you will need to succeed.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/eversartshop
• Instagram: @eversartshop
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@eversartshop1195
• Other: https://goimagine.com/eversartshop/