We had the good fortune of connecting with Kendra Beckles and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kendra, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
There wasn’t much of a starting point as it started as a hobby that slowly ended up paying for itself. I did sculpting and art on the side while maintaining a 9- 5 because it made me happy. Until 2020 happened…as it did, and then I fell back on selling jewelry for a bit. Somehow this alongside selling art has worked out alright so far, oddly enough.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I make handsculpted jewelry from polymer clay and I also design my own stickers as well. I started off drawing for fun after graduating with an animation degree. The jewelry also started as a hobby that people gradually began asking if I sold pieces online.
Making merch with my art printed on them is still the most exciting part of things. Its still wild to me to realize there’s physical evidence of my art outside of the internet.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’d probably recommend exploring one of the downtown areas bc all the little shops and sights are within walking distance.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to thank Sarah Rebecca for recommending me in the first place, the Kei Collective for giving me and many other artists a place to share our craft with the community, and my parents for their continued support.

Instagram: instagram.com/sunsetfork

Twitter: twitter.com/sunsetfork

Other: All my other links: sunsetfork.carrd.co

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.