Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Cunningham.
Shannon, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I never saw myself as artistic. I grew up with a brother who could draw anything and I could barely draw a stick figure. When I went to college, I decided to try a ceramics class and something about it grabbed me. I continued taking ceramic classes but never changed my major to art because remember, I didn’t think I was artistic. When I graduated from college, I decided that I wanted to explore ceramics more. I began selling mugs and bowls at local craft shows and in a few shops around town. I had children and continued to sell here and there but my main focus was my family. In 2006 we moved to La Jolla and I started to scratch the art itch more at Bird Rock Elementary. That was a busy and fulfilling season of raising kids and volunteering at my church and the school. I continued to work on my own art but I keep feeling like there was something missing.
When my first child started middle school, I began thinking and praying about what I wanted my art career to look like once I had an empty nest. I decided I had a few years to figure it out, get it started and gain some momentum before my kids headed to college. I began reading business books and soul, searching to see what I wanted. This caused me to have a mental shift. I realized I wanted a business and that I wasn’t just an artist who did some business. I was a business person who created art. That mental shift was what was missing for me. My original thought that I wasn’t artistic was wrong and right. It was wrong in the fact that I did have an ability to create art but it was right in the fact that I was wired to be more than an artist. I had a passion for business. At this point, I decided to open an Etsy store and start selling mosaic tiles. I didn’t know if there was much of a market for this but I knew it was something I could make in large quantities and ship easily. Right away, I began selling and adding more and more designs to my store. Years later, I am a top seller on the Etsy platform with hundreds of loyal customers.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Managing growth has been a challenge. I work alone and make everything from beginning to end. I have had a difficult time scaling my business to where I want it to be because I am only one person. I know what I need to do to grow but I physically cannot handle the volume so I have a constant tension between what makes sense for growth and what makes sense for my own sanity. In the last few months I have had to raise my prices and extended my turnaround. This has opened some more space for growth but I know I will need help in the future to expand.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Pixie Tiles – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I specialize in handmade tiles for residential and commercial use. My motto is Fun… Bright… Modern. This is what I’m known for. Tiles with bright colors and fun textures that add a contemporary flair to any environment. I love working with artists, hobbyists and designers. One thing that gains me a loyal customer base is that you can order anything from me in any color. If you only need one tile that’s fine. If you need a million tiles, that’s also fine.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I would like to do more with ceramics in design. I have done some interior design and would love to incorporate my work more into that field. I also daydream about large ceramic installations (restaurants, hotels, etc…) and would love the opportunity to create on that scale in the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: pixietiles.etsy.com
- Email: pixietiles@gmail.con
- Instagram: @pixietiles
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