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As makers with hobbies turned side-hustles, many of us get wrapped up in the ultimate goal and dream of quitting our day jobs to pursue pottery full time—but what if that pressure to monetize everything is actually stealing the joy from the very thing we fell in love with? Matt Robinson's experience first burning out on wedding photography taught him that the freedom to experiment, fail, and follow creative whims only exists when your livelihood isn't riding on what you make. Through six years of pottery alongside a flexible full-time job, Matt has learned that constantly trying new forms and glazes, worrying less about having only one “voice,” and posting to Instagram only when the spirit moves isn't a failure to build a "real" business—it's the luxury of keeping pottery as the side hobby, not the thing that pays the bills. Perhaps the real privilege isn't escaping the nine-to-five, but rather finding work that gives you enough time, energy, and financial security to make whatever you want, whenever you want, and releasing the financial pressure of needing every piece to sell.

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When you see someone juggling multiple jobs in their creative field, it's easy to assume it's because none of them could fully support them on their own—but what if having options is actually the most strategic business decision you could make? What happens when you intentionally build each avenue to be viable as a standalone career, then choose to keep them all anyway? In Part Two of this “Where are they now?” interview, Hope shares why she brought each of her four ceramic-related jobs to the cusp of full-time viability before deciding that she actually wanted all of them, for different reasons. We discover that sometimes building multiple income streams isn't about hedging your bets—it's about creating the security to make choices based on what you want rather than what you need. Could the freedom to say no to work that doesn't serve you—whether that's declining partnerships, stepping away from draining platforms, or choosing projects that energize rather than deplete you—be the real prize of building a multi-faceted creative career?

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So many of us carry the weight of what we thought our creative careers were supposed to look like—especially when formal education told us exactly what success should be. What happens when you realize that the dream you've been chasing (full-time solo artist, full-time influencer, the one perfect job) isn't actually what you want anymore? As Hope Limyanksy shares her journey from trying to fit into expected molds to embracing four different ceramic-related jobs, we discover that sometimes the path to sustainable creative work means giving different parts of yourself to different places rather than pouring everything into one all-consuming career. Could the freedom to choose multiple paths—instead of forcing yourself into just one—be what finally lets you build a creative life that actually serves you?

Looking for support in figuring out these big questions for your own unique life? Come join other makers from around the world who are having these very same nuanced conversations, with pragmatic support alongside inside of The Community.

Hope Limyansky is on Instagram @limyanskystudios

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We're bombarded with messages telling us we're missing some secret key to business success—especially at the start of a new year—but here's the truth: 

There's nothing fundamentally new about running a successful business, no matter what year it is. What if the real problem isn't that you're lacking some proprietary system or special knowledge, but that you've been convinced you need to keep searching for answers instead of trusting what you already know? The basics of business haven't changed in decades: tell people your work exists, get better at reaching the right people, and keep showing up consistently—and while educational resources can help, the courses promising to 3x your sales or unlock secret formulas are preying on your imposter syndrome rather than addressing the real work of building genuine connections with your customers. 

Instead of chasing the next shiny solution that promises to make everything easier, what if you gave yourself permission to trust that the sustainable, incremental progress you're already making—even when it feels slow or uncomfortable—is exactly what building a real creative business actually looks like?

I'm putting together a new free resource to help you trust yourself. To be the first to receive it, sign up for our email newsletter here: https://www.makersplaybook.com/newsletter

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For many makers, opportunities to focus solely on creative exploration—without the pressure to produce work for sale or prove our worth through finished pieces—feel impossibly rare or reserved for those along a traditional academic path. When you discovered your craft later in life, already juggling mortgages and responsibilities you can't simply walk away from, where do you turn for intentional study and community that actually fits your reality? Craft schools exist outside traditional academia, offering experiences from weekend workshops to multi-week residencies that welcome makers at every stage—and in celebration of Haystack Mountain School of Crafts' 75th anniversary, Perry Price shares what makes these singular learning experiences so transformative.

In this episode: Perry Price  @haystack_school

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Building a team is one thing—but how do you actually run a production ceramics studio day-to-day without losing the handmade quality that makes your work special?

In this second part of my conversation with Sarah Wolf of Wolf Ceramics, we dig into the operational realities of running an eight-person studio. Sarah breaks down weekly production rhythms, why cross-training her team across multiple tasks creates both flexibility and ownership, and the strategic decision to invest in a jigger jolly. We explore her approach to balancing 80% direct-to-consumer sales with custom restaurant orders, the importance of upfront honesty about lead times and capabilities, and why giving away $500 worth of samples can be a smart long-term investment. Sarah also shares the story of 2023's financial crisis—when stagnant sales forced her to consider layoffs—and the difficult decision to invest $10,000 in rebranding and ads when money was tightest. Her transparency about hiring for character over ceramic skills, the real value of building a mailing list, and why Instagram consistency isn't actually her secret to success offers practical permission for makers navigating their own growth. Whether you're trying to figure out your own production systems or simply curious what sustainable scaling actually looks like, this conversation provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at the real work of building a craft-based business.

Looking for support in making your own long-game decisions? Click here to discover the amazing group of makers inside of The Community and learn about the additional perks of membership. 

In this episode: Sarah Wolf @wolfceramics

Full Show Notes & Resources can be found at makersplaybook.com/podcast

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What if you could grow your business and build a team without becoming a factory—creating a business that values craft, flexibility, and the humans behind the work?

In this conversation, Sarah Wolf of Wolf Ceramics shares her journey from studying geochemistry to building an eight-person ceramics studio in Hood River, Oregon. She opens up about the early years working from her parents' basement, the vulnerable decision to hire her first team members, and how the pandemic unexpectedly accelerated her growth. Sarah reveals the real financial details behind major business moves—from signing her first commercial lease to buying a house that needed a mortgage workaround—and why learning to set clear boundaries actually created more freedom for everyone on her team. Whether you're considering your first hire or wondering if sustainable growth is even possible in ceramics, Sarah's story offers both permission and practical wisdom for building a business that works for your life.

In this episode: Sarah Wolf @wolfceramics

Full Show Notes & Resources can be found at makersplaybook.com/podcast

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Right now, for potters and artists around the world the holiday season is crazy busy - markets, commissions, shop updates, custom orders all piling up at once. But are you choosing what's right for you, or just reacting to everything coming at you?  In this episode, we explore the crucial difference between making intentional decisions based on your unique goals versus automatically saying yes because you're afraid to miss out.

Rebecca shares her own journey from reactive decision-making (saying yes to every December opportunity out of fear) to choosing what actually serves her business and life. Learn how to pause before answering that market invitation or commission request, and discover the key questions to ask yourself: Do I need to? Am I doing this from fear or clarity? What does success look like for ME this season?

This conversation is especially timely as we enter Firing Season: that November/December period when makers are literally firing kilns constantly and figuratively firing on all cylinders. The challenge isn't just about working less; it's about knowing WHY you're working hard and safeguarding energy for what matters most. 

So where will you be when New Year's Eve rolls around—fired up from all you accomplished, or burned out from reacting?

For support in making the best decisions for yourself, uniquely, consider joining us inside of The Community this Firing Season. Click here to join.

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Working as a librarian by day and making pottery in her garage studio by night, Becky wrestles with a challenge many makers face: how do you develop a distinctive artistic voice when you're working in isolation? What if the pressure to constantly produce—amplified by social media's highlight reel—is actually drowning out the quiet work of discovering what you're truly trying to say? Through Becky's journey from community studios to her home workspace, and ultimately to seeking mentorship, we see how the introspective work of noticing what you notice and allowing yourself to be vulnerable about your creative exploration can transform not just your work, but your entire relationship with your craft. When we, as makers, give ourselves permission to prioritize being curious over meeting productivity expectations, we can often discover that the creative restlessness we’ve been feeling isn't a problem to solve—it's actually pointing us toward the work we’re meant to be making…

Becky's Instagram: @hawthorn_ceramics

More information on Naomi Clement's mentorship program can be found here.

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Many makers struggle with the tension between creating work we love vs making work that we think will sell, especially when traditional academic instruction is often focused on concepts and what I call “Capital A Art” over the practical skills needed to make a living. What if the key isn't choosing between artistic integrity and commercial viability, but rather learning to work efficiently?

Olivia Avery's experience reveals how rigorous craftsmanship training—throwing 40-80 pots daily until she could self-evaluate and create consistent work—became the foundation that allows her to pursue intricate surface decoration while maintaining a viable business. Despite the unpredictability of markets where she might sell out of teapots one weekend and mugs the next, her willingness to price her labor-intensive, highly decorated functional work appropriately demonstrates how technical excellence and clear pricing boundaries can create space for both creative fulfillment and financial sustainability, even when it means accepting a smaller but more committed customer base.

⭐️ Looking for more support? ⭐️

Whether you're trying to figure out your pricing, navigate the art fair circuit, get out of the art fair circuit, or just want support while you experiment with new creative directions, you'll find fellow makers who truly get it (and a ton of ever growing, practical educationl resources to support you along the way) inside of our Community. Learn more about the perks of membership and come join us by visiting: makersplaybook.com/community

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