Wheel Talk

This week, Ryan & Becca share their favorite pottery tools—from clay prep to throwing to trimming. You’ll likely recognize a few of your own go-tos and maybe discover some new ones to try. Plus, they announce an exciting new sponsor joining the Wheel Talk family, perfectly matched to today’s topic. Resources The full list of tools can be found on our website . Sponsors L&L Kilns - The dura...

Ryan & Becca dig into a listener’s question about what to do when your big, higher-priced pieces stop selling—and you don’t want to pivot into teaching. We talk honestly about adapting to shifts in the buying market while staying true to your creative voice, making smaller or different work without feeling like you’re selling out, and share real strategies for makers who want to keep making an...

Ryan welcomes back Isaac Shue for an open conversation about taking risks and growing beyond what’s comfortable. They explore the leaps Isaac has made to expand his pottery business — from scaling production and diversifying sales channels to trusting new strategies without knowing exactly how they’ll turn out. Along the way, Isaac shares what he’s learned about balancing quality, customer connect...

Ryan & Becca welcome back Trevor Daugherty to dive into the story of the Northern Indiana Clay Alliance — from its founding vision and organizational structure to the events it organizes, including the renowned Michiana Pottery Tour. They discuss the challenges and opportunities of running a nonprofit, strategies for funding, and the Alliance’s commitment to supporting emerging artists through...

Ryan & Becca discuss the realities of balancing work and life as artists, sharing thoughts on preventing burnout and navigating career transitions. They also highlight the importance of self-care, building support systems, and offer strategies for coping with art show rejections. Maker of the Moment Tara Underwood - @tara.underwood Tanya Everard - @tanyaeverard Listener Questions On this episo...

As Wheel Talk approaches its 6-year anniversary, Ryan and Becca reflect on the podcast’s growth and the incredible community that’s formed around it. Ryan shares highlights from his recent anniversary trip to Hawaii, and the conversation shifts to social media—what's working, what's not, and how they're each approaching content creation and engagement. They break down their current...

Ryan & Becca explore the realities of small business finances—from paying livable wages and employee compensation to navigating the shift from salaried work to self-employment. This episode follows a slightly different format, and we hope you enjoy the conversation. Sponsors L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkiln...

Ryan and Becca kick off with a recap of Ryan’s recent Nashville workshop. The episode then centers on a listener question about converting social media engagement into actual sales—especially when platform limitations make linking to your shop tricky. They share practical tips for navigating those challenges, Becca’s van upgrades, and marketing strategies. Maker of the Moment Jessica Guerrero - @p...

In this episode, Ryan shares his recent visit to Isaac Shue's gallery opening in Kansas and offers practical advice on building and maintaining a soda kiln—including materials, costs, and construction tips. He also discusses upcoming pottery workshops, sourcing studio equipment, and the value of sharing knowledge within the ceramics community. Resources Sign up for Ryan's soda workshop M...

In this episode, Becca opens up about her recent transition into a new job and the mental health challenges that came with it. She shares her experience stepping away from pottery and social media, reflecting on how that break impacted her creativity, identity, and personal relationships. Ryan joins the conversation with thoughtful questions about Becca’s evolving work life, her approach to person...

Ryan and Becca return for the fifth chapter of the podcast book club, diving into Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland. Joined once again by Taylor Swilley, they unpack key takeaways and reflect on how the book’s themes resonate with their own creative practices and businesses. Our next book club selection is Boy in a China Shop: Life...

In this episode, Ryan and Becca dive into the nitty-gritty of participating in art shows—from understanding different fee structures to handling logistics and boosting your profits. They break down common models, including flat booth fees, low table fees with commissions, and hybrid setups. Plus, stick around for a listener question about surviving rainy art shows and drying out your work and disp...

Ryan & Becca welcome back Heidi Fahrenbacher of Bella Joy Pottery to catch up on her new studio build and share advice on a few business topics. They dive into Ryan’s current work hours and revenue from pottery as a side hustle, and how tracking these metrics can offer valuable insights for your own business. The conversation also covers Etsy sales strategies and tips for providing great custo...

Ryan and Becca catch up on recent life updates and share what’s on the horizon for Ryan’s upcoming shows. They also dive into ideas for spring show inventory, discussing functional and decorative forms that are popular this time of year, plus a few seasonal items to keep in mind for later in the year. Maker of the Moment Maritza Leon @the.introverted.potter Dani Chevalier  @asketchypotteryshop Spo...

Ryan and Becca are joined by Jody Lewis of Good Wheel Ceramics, a Canadian potter whose journey from hobbyist to full-time artist is as thoughtful as his work. Jody shares how he incorporates jiggering and jollying techniques into his process and reflects on what it's been like balancing his growing pottery business alongside his partner’s demanding career as an ER doctor. The conversation al...

Ryan and Becca welcome back Tzipporah Schvarcz of Sipor Ceramics for her third appearance to dive into the ins and outs of hosting and teaching pottery workshops, both in-person and online. They explore marketing strategies, pricing, the rise of virtual summits, and how workshop formats have evolved. Plus, they reflect on recent NCECA experiences and teaching approaches. Maker of the Moment Feldi...

Ryan and Becca share highlights from their recent trip to Salt Lake City for the annual NCECA pottery conference. They dive into the highs and lows of the experience, explore practical ways to navigate the costs of attending, and reflect on what they’d do differently next time. Whether you’re a seasoned conference-goer or planning your first NCECA, this episode offers insight, tips, and a candid l...

Ryan is back with Isaac Shue to share practical tips for pricing pottery, creating effective displays, and making the most of art fairs and festivals. They also talk through website strategy, studio expansion, and the challenges of balancing a creative business with life’s demands—all while answering listener questions along the way. Maker of the Moment Charlotte Grenier @ateliergrenier Kate Marot...

Ryan & Becca are joined by Mike from Mike Griffin Ceramics and the Between Two Ewers podcast to chat about the difference between capital ‘P’ and lowercase ‘p’ potters, Ryan’s day job, bisque mug butts, mid-range soda workshops, and more. Catch the video version on YouTube via Between Two Ewers . ----- Find more about Mike's business and podcast below----- Instagram - @mike_griffin_cerami...

Ryan sits down with Heidi Fahrenbacher to dive into the world of email marketing and how potters can make the most of their mailing lists. They also chat about time management strategies and the ongoing challenge of balancing productivity with creativity. Plus, they touch on the overwhelm that comes with managing all the moving pieces of a pottery business. Maker of the Moment Carter Pasma - @cart...

Ryan and Becca dive into the ups and downs of running their pottery businesses, sharing experiences from craft shows, strategies for managing busy seasons, and the nitty-gritty of pottery production. They swap tips on choosing the right art markets, keeping inventory in check, and making sure the hustle stays fun (and profitable). Plus, they chat about kiln maintenance, booth setups, and what make...

Ryan and Isaac Shue discuss preparations for Gallery Mostasa's spring show, covering pottery production, glaze techniques, and marketing. They dive into ceramic decals for customization, along with pricing strategies, custom order challenges, and future plans for wholesale mug production. Maker of the Moment Austin Riddle @austinriddlepottery Nathan Bray - @braypottery ----- Find more about I...

Ryan and Becca discussed the pros and cons of running a side business versus full-time self-employment, emphasizing the importance of routines and boundaries. They also touched on financial planning, upcoming events, and the differences between working solo and in a team environment. Maker of the Moment Em Gabriel - @emgabrielart Ray Brown - @rlbrown1995 Listeners Questions On this episode: When u...

Ryan & Becca are back with another Q&A episode! They answer a range of questions from wedging tables to storing your inventory efficiently to developing new product lines. Thanks to everyone who continues to send us questions on Instagram and by email! Maker of the Moment Sara Tolbert - @saratolbertceramics Preston Tolbert - @preston.tolbert Eric Beavers - @ericbeaverspottery Resources The...

Ryan and Becca return for the fourth chapter of the podcast book club, diving into Profit First by Mike Michalowicz. Joined once again by Taylor Swilley, they explore key takeaways and connect the book’s themes to their own businesses. They also discussed various aspects of business management, including client relationships, debt management, and employee management, and considered implementing th...