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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

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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

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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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If you weren’t learning how to carve intricate designs in sourdough bread in 2020, odds are, you might have been learning how to make pottery. And while this is true for today’s guest, Tim Clark, that wasn’t all. Tim also was learning how to make pottery and navigate the rest of life after a spontaneous tear of the retina left him half blind. There seems to be quite the thru line for many of us finding pottery as a therapeutic thing, but Tim has taken this one step farther, in starting the Blindfold Challenge to help raise awareness and frankly, a bit of money, for an amazing cause called the Fun Eye Fund. 

In this episode, we talk all about that plus how Tim has found the Blindfold Challenge cathartic in ways he didn’t expect and his new endeavors into creating art that’s accessible not only for us sighted humans, but equally enjoyable for those in the blindness community.

Resources in this Episode:
Tim Clark on Instagram
The Fun Eye Fund

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How do you stay okay even when it doesn't feel like your business isn't going well? Because while we might feel pulled to log the long hours and push ourselves to "work harder" to "grind it out," in reality, we can't really come up with new, interesting, creative solutions when we're exhausted or stressed or frankly, freaking out. As foolish as it might feel to get up and go for a walk instead of "being productive" it might also be exactly that walk that brings you a clever idea to turn things around. Because as today's guest, Clare Barboza (who's been self-employed for about 25 years now), reflected, "It’s not going to stay this way. That’s what you learn as an entrepreneur. There are cycles. Nothing stays the same.”

If you're looking for support amidst the roller coaster ride of those business cycles, whether your a side-hustler or full-timer, come check out The Community by clicking here. With makers from all around the world, at every stage of business, it just might be the perspective shift you've been needing.

Guest Resources:
Clare’s Instagram : @poppybeesurfaces

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We're quickly approaching the holiday season and makers around the world are hustling to get their listings online and take advantage of increased sales during this time of year. But what if your sales aren't going as planned? What if you haven't sold as much as you'd hoped? What if you haven't sold ANYTHING? What does it all mean? On this solo episode of the podcast, I'm talking about 2 words that get a bad reputation in the arts - sales & marketing. 

Looking for help to increase your own sales? Catch the replay of the masterclass Communicate Your Value with Naomi Clement inside of The Community by becoming a member today! Click here to learn more and join.

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Do you ever think about what happened BEFORE the Instagram photos? Or BEFORE your favorite potter hit 25 thousand followers? Off and on, many people will talk about the real-life vs. Instagram life, and there are plenty of hilarious memes floating around the internet about them, but I’d wager a bet that while many of us (myself included) are scrolling through IG, we are never actively reminding ourselves of what that maker’s life looked like before that photo… 

The years of saving money, the months of trial and error, the delays because of things outside our control, and the sacrifices made because we want this crazy dream - to make a living from the things we make - so freaking badly… Well, that’s exactly what Sophia McEvoy and I sat down to talk about.

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Our work as artists can feel disconnected with the immediate needs of the world. On this week’s solo episode, I’m peeling back the curtain on how I process that for myself. Alongside my originally planned episode of discussing a few of the various business models you can choose in order to create a business that serves your life and not the other way around.

Listen to The Launch series by clicking here.

If you're looking for a group of welcoming and supportive colleagues, fellow makers who simply get it, come join us inside of The Community. Learn more by clicking here. 

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How do you go from a farm with a woodfire kiln and two potters to an industrial warehouse that already feels too small? Vision. And a bit of luck. At least, that's what worked for Alex Matisse, founder of the one and only Eastfork Pottery. On this episode, Alex shares insights into the pros and cons of growing such a large, successful business and how taking the time to get clear on a vision is the lynchpin of it all.

At the time of this replay, Asheville, North Carolina (where Eastfork Pottery is located) is currently beginning the slow and arduous process of recovering from the devastating affects of Hurricane Helen. If you are able, please consider donating to any of the following organizations helping with recovery efforts:

World Central Kitchen: On the ground getting meals to those affected.
CERF+: Provides emergency relief grants specifically to craft artists.

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