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As makers transitioning from hobby to business, we often forget the most powerful perk of self-employment: you're the boss who makes the rules, not just the employee doing all the work. What if setting clear boundaries, creating a sustainable schedule, and giving yourself permission to evolve creatively are actually your responsibilities as a good boss to yourself? As Amy Brummond shares her journey of artistic evolution, we see how honoring her creative restlessness not only reignited her passion but actually strengthened her business when customers responded enthusiastically to her new work. Could the courage to follow your changing creative voice—even when it means risking established success—be what ultimately creates the sustainable making practice that allows you to thrive both creatively and financially?

Looking for more support in trying to figure out how to be your own boss? The Community is the place to be. With now over 100 makers from all over the world, The Community is where you can dive deeper into any of the topics we’ve started talking about here on the podcast. Whether it’s the debate back on episode #509 about choosing between Etsy or your own website, or trying to sort out what type of side-hustle or full-time business works for your own personal life after hearing so many different kind of stories here on the podcast, if you’ve been listening along and find yourself wishing for more at the end of an episode, The Community is that more. Learn about more of the perks of membership by visiting makersplaybook.com/community or send me a message and I can put you in touch with one of our members to get an insider’s perspective.

Resources in this Episode:
Amys' Instagram

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Most of us dream of turning our craft into a thriving business, but what happens when achieving "the dream" — the large following, sold-out shop updates, and steady sales — still doesn't translate into a sustainable living? When former full-time potter Megan Sward faced this reality, she discovered that the gap between making work you love and building a viable business involves far more than just mastering your craft. What if the key to longevity isn't just about making better pots, but about developing a clear strategy for everything from production methods to pricing to self-care? The surprising truth is that thoughtful planning and honest self-assessment may matter more than pure creative talent when it comes to building a sustainable making practice. 

Resources in this Episode:
Megans' Instagram

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There is an underlying current of anxiety about keeping up with the latest trends and strategies, especially when it comes to running your business online (and even more especially when it comes to social media). But what if the real secret to success isn't about chasing every new thing, but rather embracing the "boring" parts of business? Trying every new trending strategy often leads to scattered efforts and minimal results, not to mention most definitely leads to burn out.  Embracing the boredom of consistency and repetition however, while perhaps not as exciting as the latest viral strategy, are often the key ingredients to building a sustainable creative business. And giving yourself permission to be boring might just be the most revolutionary thing you can do, not only for your business, but for your life.

For a similar conversation check out episode 313 on the Myth of Growth.

Want to keep this conversation going? Come join the over 100 fellow makers from all around the world inside of The Community!

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When I last spoke with Sarah Wells Rolland, The Village Potters in Asheville, North Carolina was 13 years into it’s incredible, communal existence. And frankly (at least from my perspective) was a well oiled machine. With a residency program, community classes, a gallery, and 17 kilns it wasn’t on my short list wondering “gee, I wonder where they are now?” That is, until Hurricane Helene hit. And absolutely everything changed. 

Introducing: Where are They Now? A new series on The Maker's Playbook podcast where we check back in with past guests to see where this journey of making a living from the things they make has taken them. 

The Village Potter's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b08bbe30

Sarah's Instagram: @sarahwellsrolland

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The ways in which our decisions in life are so interconnected it feels endless. The same is equally true in business, especially a ceramics business. And there's no way you stay in business, as a fully self-employed household with kiddos, while offering a $20 mug without thinking through all of that interconnectedness. My chat with Isaac Shue on this week's episode perfectly highlights how every step of our making process can also inform the endless steps of our small business (or side-hustle). 

Resources in this Episode:
Isaac's Instagram

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When it comes to the topic of money, for many of us, it stirs up less than happy feelings. But in many ways, money is just data. Yes, it has an outsized effect on our lives and the decisions we do (or can) make, and that’s annoying as stepping on Legos. But, as much as we can feel a variety of emotions around money, finances are actually just neutral data points for us to track, recognize, and use to make decisions. In this conversation with part-time potter and full-time finance professional, Seanin Rosario, we talk about the basics of some immediate, quick actions you can take to get your side-hustle or small business finances more organized and how to at least start tracking your income and expenses.

Resources in this Episode:
Seanin's Instagram

If you're looking for more support in building your own Financial System, join us inside of The Community for a custom Masterclass with Seanin. Learn more and join by visiting makersplaybook.com/community

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I had thought this solo episode would be some nice big grandiose end of year recap for you. I also, had intended it to actually air in 2024, but alas… here we are, kicking off 2025 with it. The plan was lists of what worked and what didn’t in our ceramics business this year and a nice, reflected wrap-it-all-up and make-it-make-sense so you can apply the lessons we learned to your own life in whatever way works for you. The kind of thing you perhaps have come to expect from these Launch episodes. But... that’s not exactly what this episode is going to be...

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A self-described “failed production potter” Sue McLeod still very much makes her living from ceramics. Yet, she doesn’t make her living from actually making pots… As is true with any industry, we often forget just how many different supporting and tangentially related sub-topics and professions there are available to us. And, at least for me, when we start to see those, a whole myriad of options opens up to how we just might make this crazy dream - of making a living from the things we make - actually work.

Resources in this Episode:
Sue's Instagram

The next 6 months is the make it or break it time for the Maker’s Playbook! Please consider supporting the creation of this show by becoming a sustaining member. Click here to make a contribution of whatever amount you are comfortable.

The Maker’s Photography Styling System is coming back in 2025! Get on the waitlist by clicking here.

Check out Sue’s Glaze Classes here: suemcleodceramics.com

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Described as the most supportive guy on the internet by numerous people, today’s interview with Bill Schwenzer feels long overdue. Better known as Aliveguy Pottery, we talk about his career transition from corporate quality control to clay, his commitment to thoughtful encouragement online and his unique approach to delayed gratification all while continuing to push himself outside of his comfort zone and not get too bogged down in analyzing. 

Resources in this Episode:
Bill's Instagram

The podcast needs your help! Please consider making a one-time or recurring donation to support the continuing creation of this show by visiting makersplaybook.com/podcast-support. Thank you so much in advance!

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I reached out to chat with Stanley after seeing his “Thoughts and Prayers” series - a powerful body of work creating strong visuals on the actual effects of a bullet striking a form. A series, he actually made more than a year ago. And yet, only recently and quite suddenly, has gotten quite a lot of recognition. We talk about how the series came about and what’s happened in the year since, as well as the time he’s taking to figure out the next steps, instead of letting the internet push him into a constant state of urgency. Not to mention, the decision to use a platform to express a message and what may or may not happen if that message changes. In other words: Do you keep making the work you know people want, or… Do you change?

Come join the nearly 100 other makers talking all about these big subjects, and more, inside of The Community. Becoming a member also helps support the creation of this show! Learn more about all the perks of membership by visiting: makersplaybook.com/community

Resources in this Episode:
Stanley's Instagram
Stanley's Website

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