Wheel Talk

Ryan and Becca answer some listener questions about selling at art shows and business branding. It's a batch of related questions that we continue getting from our listeners, which we love getting a chance to chat about on a regular basis. Thanks for listening! Resources: Episode #86 - Art show Q&A (pt 1) Episode #87 - Art show Q&A (pt 2) Listener Questions Send us questions so we can...

Ryan & Becca share a couple stories outside of their worlds of clay to start off today's episode. They then dig into their 2021 goals and results, with real numbers! We like to share these intimate details with you for a number of reasons that can be helpful for our peers including: 1) what goals we set for our businesses 2) what sales numbers we hit & did not 4) ongoing mental stress...

Ryan & Becca are back for another question and answer episode covering a range of topics from a new game Becca got recently. We also get into a longer topic at the end (around the 1 hr 45 min mark) for an idea Ryan has been thinking about to help build some inventory this winter & teaching some of his process to other aspiring potters. Thanks to everyone who continues to send us questions...

Ryan & Becca discuss some of the difference between approaching your small business with an artist versus entrepreneur mindset. We also discover a new term that we love: "solopreneur." We have some hard truths discussed on today's episode that can help you look at your business in a slightly different way, how you spend your time making, and some considerations as you move into...

Ryan & Rachel are being interviewed by Becca today! They chat about being a spouse/partner to someone running a small business, transitioning to becoming a full time potter, and how the business affects their relationship. It’s a little different of an episode than normal, but was fun to chat just like we would if we’re hanging out off the microphone. Listener Questions Send us questions so we...

Ryan & Becca answer loads of listener questions related to finishing techniques, attention to your pot bottoms, tool care, bat preferences, and other studio process topics. We always appreciate you all continually sending us questions. Enjoy! What would you do if... you met your favorite potter in the wild? Listener Questions On this episode: Thanks to @jdtceramics , @nuttermudder , @goodwheel...

Ryan & Becca answer lots of questions from our buddy Andrew Linderman ( @lindermanpottery ) about scouting a new studio space and effectively moving from your current studio. There are many considerations when looking at potential studio spaces: square footage, flooring, ease of moving in and out of the studio, lighting, water access, electrical access, and equipment placement. There are plent...

Ryan & Becca start off with some Thanksgiving talk: favorite sides, desserts, and whether turkey is overrated.  They answer some listener questions before diving into Becca's most recent Fancy cup update (aka "cupdate").  Each of them have their own ways of preparing an update and deciding how they went afterwards. Becca also got a new studio addition in a recent trade. We hope...

Ryan & Becca have a good conversation with Trevor Daugherty, a nearby ceramic artist working out of his home studio in Goshen, Indiana. Trevor shares some great experiences participating in the Michiana Pottery Tour, atmospheric firing process, transitioning to becoming a full time potter, why Mystery Boxes are the best, different ways to sell his work, and how he markets his work to customers...

Ryan & Becca recap Becca's experience at her latest holiday show in Indianapolis. It was her first show in quite some time and wasn't exactly sure what to expect, but has some good insights about it all. There are some great customer stories, long days, and no shortage of funny moments. We're so happy to share it all with you. Becca's FANCY 'cupdate' starts at  12...

Ryan & Becca answer some listener questions regarding vitrification, cold weather impact on your studio materials, & a number of them related to loading your kiln. They go into lots of specifics about their own kiln loading and firings. Stick around long enough to hear a good bickering session about kiln logging. Resources https://digitalfire.com/glossary/vitrification Listener Questions O...

Ryan & Becca are joined today by a great friend in clay, Amy Brummond from Pine Zen Pottery. Amy shares lots of stories about her handbuilding process, body longevity in the studio, refining her business skills over time, building her Instagram, and learning the clay process on your own. Head over to her account if you haven't seen her work yet. We had such a good time with Amy and hope y...

We have a special episode today from Becca's time at the Indiana Clay Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. Becca was joined by Rebecca Graves Prowse (Gravesco Pottery) and Josh Heim (JH Pottery Works) on a panel discussion titled "Successful Art Business Practices in Indiana," moderated by Justin Rothshank. Enjoy this candid discussion among a few of our best friends in clay. Makers...

Ryan & Becca dig into how they get a grasp on who their customers are and why they enjoy their work. Thee are so many potential customers out there for all of us and narrowing in on who your product is made for & who you most resonate with can help you so much in the long run. So much of your small business revolves around gaining new customers, maintaining your existing ones, and even fir...

Ryan & Becca sit down with a new friend in clay, Chris Burch. This lengthy discussion covers many topics from fulfilling a 500 piece order in 9 weeks, pursuing clay full time, balancing family and small business duties, pricing your work appropriately, teaching on the wheel, understanding how you find happiness in the work you do, and much more. Thanks so much to Chris for being very gracious...

Ryan & Becca bring you a special episode discussing all things #potswap2021 . Follow along with all Pot Swap happenings on Instagram @potswapofficial . Registration is free and open to the first 600 entries this year starting on Sunday, October 17th at 12pm EDT. First come, first serve on sign-ups so set a reminder (we have a reminder shared in our Instagram stories)! Spots WILL fill up very f...

Ryan & Becca jump into the deep on tracking their business income and expenses. Becca is pretty invested in Quickbooks for her business. Ryan tracks everything using Google Sheets/Forms. If you ever wanted to know how Ryan stays so organized and on top of his business books, you're in the right spot! Enjoy and check out our Instagram for visuals if you're looking to follow along as R...

Ryan & Becca have a different one for you today as they talk through a new line of work Becca is starting. Sometimes it's nice to chat with a friend about something new you are planning and need a second perspective. We cover sales goals, pricing, branding, making efficiency, various forms, and timelines. We hope you enjoy this informal conversation between a couple of friends who love to...

Ryan & Becca are back for yet another question and answer episode covering topics in clay, small business, personal, and plenty of others. These continue to be fun for us to record and we hope you enjoy them also. Thanks to everyone who continue to send their questions via Instagram and email! Listener Questions Send us questions so we can answer anything you've been thinking about on a f...

Ryan and Becca start off with some breaking news before discussing expenses for your business today. What should and shouldn't be considered a business expense and considerations as you think about your past purchases. There are different approaches Ryan & Becca take here and hopefully it helps to hear some varying perspectives on the topic. When in doubt, always consult your bookkeeper o...

Ryan and Becca answer some more listener questions about art shows. This week we cover how much work you should take to a show to have ample inventory, what items sell well besides mugs, & a final inquiry about how you deal with other vendors who wants to trade work. We hope you enjoy another short episode and it helps those of you selling at shows these days. Resources: #86 - Art show Q&A...

Ryan and Becca get into the finance side of selling mugs of different styles: 'basic' production mugs and 'fancy' detailed mugs. We breakdown the time to produce, opportunity to experiment, how to manage your inventory effectively, and what other variables should be considered as you grow your customer base. We are pretty used to producing 'basic' work in high quantit...

Ryan & Becca chat with their good friend Isaac Shue, a former high school teacher to full time ceramic artist. Isaac runs Gallery Mostaza, a curated selection of their handmade pottery and other local makers, with his wife Karina in Harper, Kansas. They cover many topics on today's episode including: transitioning from teaching to making pots full time, renovating a new gallery space, fin...

Ryan & Becca decide to rehash the topics discussed on the 2 year anniversary of releasing their first episode. Topics include motivation to get in the studio, list making, how/when we prefer to work in the studio, and how we set goals for ourselves. Let’s see what’s changed in the past 2 years. References Kiln wash recipe https://suemcleodceramics.com/how-to-make-a-good-kiln-wash-to-protect-yo...

Ryan & Becca look back as they hit the 2 year anniversary of hosting Wheel Talk. A lot of things have progressed since we first started, we've covered so many topics over the past 100+ episodes, and have spent time interviewing some great peers inside & outside of clay. Thank you all so much for listening & letting us join you in your studios on a weekly basis. We are very gratefu...