As a child, Chelsea Harvey loved to draw on everything she could find. One day her mother suggested that Chelsea try drawing on ceramic objects she brought home. She was reluctant at first, but soon discovered a passion for the work.

Chelsea, 28, now owns Campbell’s Ceramics in the city of Corbin with her husband Brent Harvey, also 28. They opened the studio where Chelsea teaches classes on how to paint the ceramic objects the couple produce by hand in 2018. Chelsea says that the handmade aspect is very important to her.

The couple, who now have a 1-year-old daughter, Violet Harvey, started dating in middle school. Even though they briefly separated, they always remained best friends before getting back together in their senior year. They married four years ago.

Knowing her love for ceramics, Brent immediately agreed when Chelsea told him she wanted to open her own shop and continues to be very supportive. Chelsea says that if she brought home a live shark, Brent would build a tank for it despite the inconvenience.

The business has had challenges, and Brent and Chelsea have found themselves struggling at times to keep it going. At one point, they even became concerned that they might have to shut it down. Brent says his love for Chelsea and the desire to keep her dream alive spurred him to work at a variety of jobs."I would do anything to keep it open," he says.

Chelsea is described as an inspiration by people who attend the classes and her imagination and the passion she shows for the work has attracted many customers who say they have come to consider themselves family.

Bernadette Rains, 62, was drawn by the couple's warmth and now regularly attends the studio she describes as "down to earth.” Sarah Baker, 21, says Chelsea and Brent “make you feel welcome."

The deep connection shared by the couple is the core of the community they have created in the studio. “I love him so much," Chelsea says. "I pray everybody has a Brent in their life."
Brent says he loves that Chelsea cares about people and wants to help everyone and believes their customers are drawn to the studio not just because of a desire to learn the painting skill, but because they love his wife. He wants to continue the business despite any hurdles that might arise.

“The hard stuff is easy with her," he adds. "It is fun all the time, even when it is not.”