MudTalk Podcast - Pottery, Ceramics, Business

Resources

Pottery Making Info (for new MudTalk Mondays): Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr

Transcript

You are listening to episode 8 of the MudTalk Podcast. This episode is a little different from other episodes so far. It will be a little shorter than normal but I think it will lead to a lot of discussions in the future. For this topic, I left it up to you to ask the questions. I wanted to know what you would ask other potters or ceramic artists. I thought it would be a great way to get some ideas for future MudTalk Mondays and make sure we’re discussing topics that you REALLY want to discuss.

There were a lot of great responses. Everything from, “how do I get started?” all the way to “how do I price my pots and make a living?” As usual, when I was reading through the comments some patterns started to emerge. So we are going to start with the beginner questions and then hear some of the more technical questions. After that, we’ll look at some of the questions about the business side of working with clay and then we’ll hear a few miscellaneous questions. At the end I’ll give a preview of upcoming MudTalk topics so you can send in a message that could be on a future podcast or get a response ready for the MudTalk Monday social media posts.

So let’s hear some questions that you would love to ask other potters or ceramic artists.

Beginners

There were a few people that just wanted to know how to get started.

Monstriss As someone who only did grade eight art and did a semester in Pottery, where do I start with literally nothing?

Shshshelby I’m so interested and have nothing to start with – where do I begin and with what kind of products?

I’ll give a brief answer here because I love when people try something new, especially if it’s working with clay. One thing I love about making pottery is that you can start small. All you really need to get started is clay. As you progress you can start adding tools and equipment and try new techniques. The complicated part comes when you are ready to fire and glaze your work. For a longer, in depth answer, I have a new course coming out soon at Expert Clay for complete beginners that want to know how to get started.

Technical Questions

There were a number of technical questions about specific parts of the process.

Mimiepoterie Clay sculpture incorporating a metal rod. What type of metal do you use to avoid melting in kiln?

Marianwilliamspottery Use of oxides- how, when, effects, application etc

Instalesswespottery How to build a high-fire capable kiln at home, or how to fire functional pots from home efficiently and ideally without spending a fortune.

Pamelabarclaysatx Favorite handmade or repurposed pottery tools.

Noahkildoo_ceramics How do frequent soda firers get that pitted texture in the soda? Is it a clay high in alumina or some other refractory?

Lannieraecreative I want to transfer my photos and art onto my ceramic pieces – I don’t want to do it post glaze firing. I want it to be fired on and remain as functional stoneware. Do I need special paper / printing done?

Risabeeseattle Kiln use, maintenance and firing techniques. I’m a new potter, and am buying my first kiln. I have never fired one before and I’m... nervous. ?

Forgetful_yogi Finding the right base clear glaze for mason stains in cone 6 oxidation ?. Particularly reds and pinks.... And printing and applying laser printed decals!

Theclayrabbit Great idea this thread! I would LOVE to find information on COLD FINISHES FOR SCULPTURES because I’ve tried looking for books on ...

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2013 Michiana Pottery Tour Blog Post

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Transcript

This is episode 6. We’re going to talk about good pots. We want to know what makes a pot good, or even great? What characteristics do you look for? Are there certain things that a pot HAS to have to be good? What does “good” mean to you?

I’m sure you have your own opinions about what makes a pot acceptable, good, or even great. But it’s always a good idea to hear other people’s opinions so we can discover different perspectives, fine tune our own opinions and understand the topic on a deeper level. As I was reading the comments for this topic I tried to organize the responses into a few categories including: Physical Characteristics, Proper Function, the Feelings a Pot Evokes, and at the end I’ll share some of my favorite responses.

Let’s start with a response from Facebook which I think lays a foundation for this discussion. In response to the question “what makes a pot good?”

Laura S Attractive design, even weight, useful, attention to detail, smooth bottom, evidence of the maker. These answers may all be subjective, though -- isn't beauty in the eye of the beholder?

Laura hits a number of things that I think are important and notes the subjectivity of this topic. There isn’t one “correct” answer. So let’s take a look at what other people think goes into a good pot.

Physical Characteristics

Some comments focused on the physical characteristics of a pot.

Nurture_massage07 If it has no cracks in it. Or if it comes out of the kiln the way you wanted or better.

Dowidat.ceramics When the foot and lip look cohesive and it makes it through the firing without cracks and come out to the point where I'm ok to make 100 more!

Evesib_travel If the pot is as you imagined it to be when you were creating it and of course if it has no major technical issues like cracks

Mimiho_cat Well balanced, feel warm in touching, clarity in lines, less is more in decorations????

Michelle C How it feels in my hands when I close my eyes.

Proper Function

Related to the physical characteristics, some people specifically mentioned proper function.

Dmpottery Everything @pettypottery_nc said + structurally sound as required by the pots intended function

Cal_pot A good pot is one that does what it was created to do. It if is supposed to hold water, then a good pot is one that holds water.

It’s hard to argue with these two responses. A pot, by definition is a functional object. But do pots have to be functional? Can you make a pot strictly as a work of art? Or is an object no longer a pot if it doesn’t function as a pot?

What You Feel or Take From the Pot

Some comments were about how the pot makes you feel.

Jclaypotterystudio When you want to hold it. When you imagine it in your home. When it's function is spot on or even many.

Eclectstudio If it's loved!! (By someone other than family ?)

Stevepl13 If you like it, it's good

Bytheseastudio When you first see a pot and you get this overwhelming feeling of excitement through your body. You are basically moved by its presence.

Martha H It calls to you!

Favorites

These last few responses were my favorite.

Pettypottery_nc For me I know a pot is good when things start popping into my head, ideas, phrases, questions, smells, memories, names, people, places, feelings. A pot is good if it sparks something within me.

I love this response. I feel that a lot of my favorite pots have stories to go with them. ...

Links

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/BY5fkp1Fnjg/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/potterymakinginfo/photos/a.10151503193013457/10154884355993457/?type=3&theater

Transcript

Episode 25, business tips and advice. Hello all you fantastic listeners! It has been way too long. The MudTalk Podcast has gone on quite a hiatus here over the past few months. You would think with all the social distancing and quarentining I would just be cranking out the podcast episodes. But alas, I decided to focus completely on my top priority for the year, finish my pottery studio. I’ve also been spending time with my family so we can all stay sane. But now that the studio is taking shape I hope to spend a lot more time making pots and online content. In fact, the Michiana Pottery Tour will be online this year - that’s right, you can buy pots from all the amazing artists no matter where you live! - so I’ll be making pots for that and promoting it big time. The Tour is at the end of September so go to michianapotterytour.com to find out more.

I’ve also become fascinated with the idea of branding which is perfect for this episode. I’ve been listening to and reading books, articles and even taking some courses. At the end of this episode I’ll share 5 things that could help a potter or ceramic artist improve their brand. And yes, if you are trying to sell your work, you should have a “brand” even if it is more of a personal brand instead of a big corporate brand.

Thank you for taking the time to subscribe, download, and support this podcast. Today the topic is business tips and advice so let’s hear some business tips and advice from other potters.

Littlecharliewheeler Knowing that everyone has different tastes, and that piece that disappointed you as it came out of the kiln, might be someone else's favourite.

throwingmudetc@littlecharliewheeler that is so true! Usually the ones I don't like are the first to go.

littlefernpottery@littlecharliewheeler I hated the cup to one of my matcha sets. HATED the glaze. 5hrs after I posted it, it was gone lol. You're so right.

leagueindustriesgroupNetwork

pipthepotterUse the shows to network.

libbeckA lesson I learned: Don't accept custom orders. It's never satisfying to make something as directed by a customer. It will always feel better to make your own piece. And, it's hard to match their vision.

954lla@libbeck Thank you! I've been struggling w/ turning down "requests" but know I never enjoy the process as much as going w/ my own vision.

earthartam@libbeck Disagree. The first custom order I got was a disaster, I agree, no satisfying that guy. But I'm glad I didn't give up on them. I like the challenge of meeting someone's vision. After that first one I've never had another person that didn't see what I do and trust me to get it done. It's not a huge part of my business, but I do enjoy it. Tip: get paid up front for truly unique work.

claystationdhakaTreat your customer the way you would like to be treated as a customer!

thattmumHave a 20 second instagram story-style video to show anyone your work/process and be able to explain why x ( for example a teapot , costs $100.00 in time and money to make

sharfam61Have you sold online? How do you package pieces and avoid breakage and cost of shipping?

@sharfam61 i wrap them with thick bubble wrap and then fill the box with packing peanuts making sure the piece can not move at all and there is enough space on the edges to account for squish. Never had a piece break in shipping!

earthartamTreat it like a job, not a hobby. Show up everyday and put in your time.

bspottery