The Mud Peddlers: Ceramic Art Behind the Scenes

Lindsey and Donte debate the pros and cons of selling online and selling in person – and which they prefer. There’s talk of everything from personality types and performance, to location and love notes. 

How do you prefer to sell your work? If you’ve never sold your work before but are interested in doing so, what’s your biggest barrier to getting started?

Tell us in the comments, or tag us on social media!

Mentioned Artists

Florian Gadsby (@floriangadsby)

Mike Cinelli (@mike_cinelli)

Mary Alice (@miss.mary.alice)

Kate Schroeder (@kate.schroeder.ceramics)

Angel Crespo (@redivider_)

Mirela Ibrahimovic (@damirci_art)

Sarah Pike (@sarahpikepottery)

One Handmade Ceramics (@oneceramic)

_____

About Your Hosts

Lindsey M Dillon is an award-winning professional ceramic artist who makes mugs and creature sculptures inspired by history, mythology, and geek culture . She has been working in clay since 2007, and doing so professionally since 2014. Her supernatural powers haven't manifested yet, but it's ok, she'll wait.

Donte of Earth Nation Ceramics is a professional ceramic artist and Youtuber with over 70k artists in his community, all helping each other grow through their ceramic art journey one step at a time. He also has a massive addiction to boba milk tea and anime.

Find Lindsey

Website and online store (www.lindseymdillon.com/)

Patreon (www.patreon.com/lindseymdillon)

Instagram (www.instagram.com/lindseymdillon/)

TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@lindseymdillon)

Facebook (www.facebook.com/lindseymdillon)

Find Donte

Website and online store (www.earthnationceramics.com/)

Patreon (www.patreon.com/Earthnationceramics/posts)

Youtube (www.youtube.com/earthnationceramics)

Instagram (www.instagram.com/earth_nation_ceramics/)

TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@earthnationceramics)

Facebook (www.facebook.com/EarthNationCeramics/)

Join the Discord (https://discord.gg/Xtmwk7y)

Lindsey and Donte talk all things handles: the different ways you can make them, the pros and cons of each making method, style vs. function, tips for improving your handles if you’re a beginner, and how the way they make handles has changed with time and projects. They recommend a few different artists to look at for reference, and even suggest a bit of handle “homework” if you’re up for it… 

How do you prefer to make handles? Is there a method you’ve never tried but might like to?

Tell us in the comments, or tag us on social media!

Mentioned Artists:



Florian Gadsby (@floriangadsby)

Mike Cinelli (@mike_cinelli)

Mary Alice (@miss.mary.alice)

Kate Schroeder (@kate.schroeder.ceramics)

Angel Crespo (@redivider_)

Mirela Ibrahimovic (@damirci_art)

Sarah Pike (@sarahpikepottery)

One Handmade Ceramics (@oneceramic)

_____

About Your Hosts

Lindsey M Dillon is an award-winning professional ceramic artist who makes nerdy mugs, creature sculptures, and cafe dishware. She has been working in clay since 2007, and doing so professionally since 2014. Her supernatural powers haven't manifested yet, but it's ok, she'll wait.

Donte of Earth Nation Ceramics is a professional ceramic artist and Youtuber with over 70k artists in his community, all helping each other grow through their ceramic art journey one step at a time. He also has a massive addiction to boba milk tea and anime.

Find Lindsey

Website and online store (www.lindseymdillon.com/)

Patreon (www.patreon.com/lindseymdillon)

Instagram (www.instagram.com/lindseymdillon/)

TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@lindseymdillon)

Facebook (www.facebook.com/lindseymdillon)

Find Donte

Website and online store (www.earthnationceramics.com/)

Patreon (www.patreon.com/Earthnationceramics/posts)

Youtube (www.youtube.com/earthnationceramics)

Instagram (www.instagram.com/earth_nation_ceramics/)

TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@earthnationceramics)

Facebook (www.facebook.com/EarthNationCeramics/)

Join the Discord (https://discord.gg/Xtmwk7y)

Lindsey and Donte again touch upon the topic of preparing for the holidays. In a more musing sequel to their 2020 episode on holiday prep, these two mud peddlers discuss their holiday shop update plans, where they focus their numbers on inventory when there’s multiple demands on their product, and changing perspectives on money-making and efficiency. 

Is this your first time selling your work during the holidays? If you’re a holiday season veteran, what’s one piece of advice would you give to help a newcomer get through this crazy time of year?

Tell us in the comments, or tag us on social media!

Ceramic Materials Workshop with Rose and Matt Katz: ceramicmaterialsworkshop.com

Art business coach Kate Farrall: @katefarrallcoaching or katefarrallcoaching.com

_____

About Your Hosts

Lindsey M Dillon is an award-winning professional ceramic artist who makes nerdy mugs, creature sculptures, and cafe dishware. She has been working in clay since 2007, and doing so professionally since 2014. Her supernatural powers haven't manifested yet, but it's ok, she'll wait.

Donte of Earth Nation Ceramics is a professional ceramic artist and Youtuber with over 70k artists in his community, all helping each other grow through their ceramic art journey one step at a time. He also has a massive addiction to boba milk tea and anime.

Find Lindsey

Website and online store (www.lindseymdillon.com/)

Patreon (www.patreon.com/lindseymdillon)

Instagram (www.instagram.com/lindseymdillon/)

TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@lindseymdillon)

Facebook (www.facebook.com/lindseymdillon)

Find Donte

Website and online store (www.earthnationceramics.com/)

Patreon (www.patreon.com/Earthnationceramics/posts)

Youtube (www.youtube.com/earthnationceramics)

Instagram (www.instagram.com/earth_nation_ceramics/)

TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@earthnationceramics)

Facebook (www.facebook.com/EarthNationCeramics/)

Join the Discord (https://discord.gg/Xtmwk7y)

Lindsey and Donte sit down with Aaron Navarro of Dirty Panda Ceramics for a very nerdy discussion of everything from pricing, glaze techniques, and inventory management, to B movies, Warhammer, and Nick Cage.

Find Aaron’s work on Instagram (@dirtypanda_ceramics) and meet him in person this January at Sacramento’s SacAnime Con.

What was your favorite part of this conversation? 

Tell us in the comments, or tag us on social media!

_____

About Your Hosts

Lindsey M Dillon is an award-winning professional ceramic artist who makes nerdy mugs, creature sculptures, and cafe dishware. She has been working in clay since 2007, and doing so professionally since 2014. Her supernatural powers haven't manifested yet, but it's ok, she'll wait.

Donte of Earth Nation Ceramics is a professional ceramic artist and Youtuber with over 60k artists in his community, all helping each other grow through their ceramic art journey one step at a time. He also has a massive addiction to boba milk tea and anime.

Find Lindsey

Website (www.lindseymdillon.com/)

Etsy (www.etsy.com/shop/lindseymdillon/)

Patreon (www.patreon.com/lindseymdillon)

Instagram (www.instagram.com/lindseymdillon/)

TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@lindseymdillon)

Facebook (www.facebook.com/lindseymdillon)

Find Donte

Website and online store (www.earthnationceramics.com/)

Patreon (www.patreon.com/Earthnationceramics/posts)

Youtube (www.youtube.com/earthnationceramics)

Instagram (www.instagram.com/earth_nation_ceramics/)

TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@earthnationceramics)

Facebook (www.facebook.com/EarthNationCeramics/)

Join the Discord (https://discord.gg/Xtmwk7y)

From sponges in beginner packets to touch-screen kilns, Lindsey and Donte discuss tools – and their experiences with what’s a necessity, what’s a luxury, and what’s totally superfluous.

They consider what you gain or lose by using certain tools, how perceptions of what’s a “necessary” tool have changed over time, and when it’s better to experiment with lots of tools vs. when it’s better to invest in a single one.

And of course, they share the tools companies that might help you find the tool that becomes your next “necessity”.

What’s a tool that’s made a big impact on how you work? Have you ever purchased a tool you ended up not really using?

Tell us in the comments, or tag us on social media!

_____

About Your Hosts

Lindsey M Dillon is an award-winning professional ceramic artist who makes nerdy mugs, creature sculptures, and cafe dishware. She has been working in clay since 2007, and doing so professionally since 2014. Her supernatural powers haven't manifested yet, but it's ok, she'll wait.

Donte of Earth Nation Ceramics is a professional ceramic artist and Youtuber with over 60k artists in his community, all helping each other grow through their ceramic art journey one step at a time. He also has a massive addiction to boba milk tea and anime.

Find Lindsey

Website (www.lindseymdillon.com/)

Etsy (www.etsy.com/shop/lindseymdillon/)

Patreon (www.patreon.com/lindseymdillon)

Instagram (www.instagram.com/lindseymdillon/)

TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@lindseymdillon)

Facebook (www.facebook.com/lindseymdillon)

Find Donte

Website and online store (www.earthnationceramics.com/)

Patreon (www.patreon.com/Earthnationceramics/posts)

Youtube (www.youtube.com/earthnationceramics)

Instagram (www.instagram.com/earth_nation_ceramics/)

TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@earthnationceramics)

Facebook (www.facebook.com/EarthNationCeramics/)

Join the Discord (https://discord.gg/Xtmwk7y)

Lindsey and Donte discuss what they do when the kiln gods do NOT bless their firings, and they end up with pieces that don’t meet their regular quality standards. They share what makes a “second” for them, the pros and cons of selling seconds, the different ways you could go about it if you’re considering selling your seconds, and how we navigate the abject horror of our audiences on hammer-happy Link Day...

Have you ever bought a “second” from an artist? Do you sell your seconds?

Tell us in the comments, or tag us on social media!

*Mentioned artists:

Jen Monson (@jenuoneart)

Sue McLeod (@suemcleodceramics)

_____

About Your Hosts

Lindsey M Dillon is an award-winning professional ceramic artist who makes nerdy mugs, creature sculptures, and cafe dishware. She has been working in clay since 2007, and doing so professionally since 2014. Her supernatural powers haven't manifested yet, but it's ok, she'll wait.

Donte of Earth Nation Ceramics is a professional ceramic artist and Youtuber with over 60k artists in his community, all helping each other grow through their ceramic art journey one step at a time. He also has a massive addiction to boba milk tea and anime.

Find Lindsey

Website (www.lindseymdillon.com/)

Etsy (www.etsy.com/shop/lindseymdillon/)

Patreon (www.patreon.com/lindseymdillon)

Instagram (www.instagram.com/lindseymdillon/)

TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@lindseymdillon)

Facebook (www.facebook.com/lindseymdillon)

Find Donte

Website and online store (www.earthnationceramics.com/)

Patreon (www.patreon.com/Earthnationceramics/posts)

Youtube (www.youtube.com/earthnationceramics)

Instagram (www.instagram.com/earth_nation_ceramics/)

TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@earthnationceramics)

Facebook (www.facebook.com/EarthNationCeramics/)

Join the Discord (https://discord.gg/Xtmwk7y)

Lindsey and Donte discuss the answer to a question that always creeps up on people just getting into ceramics: What exactly is the difference between an oxidation and a reduction firing?

They share that answer both in layman’s terms, and with a single pinkie toe in the chemistry behind it all.

They also discuss other elements around the oxidation vs reduction battle, like how do you get a reduction look without doing a reduction firing, and what do you do if you’re a student with goals to continue ceramics after you lose access to your school’s resources?

Is there a firing technique you’ve always wanted to try? Have you ever had to change your firing style because of the resources available?

Tell us in the comments, or tag us on social media!

_____

About Your Hosts

Lindsey M Dillon is an award-winning professional ceramic artist who makes nerdy mugs, creature sculptures, and cafe dishware. She has been working in clay since 2007, and doing so professionally since 2014. Her supernatural powers haven't manifested yet, but it's ok, she'll wait.

Donte of Earth Nation Ceramics is a professional ceramic artist and Youtuber with over 60k artists in his community, all helping each other grow through their ceramic art journey one step at a time. He also has a massive addiction to boba milk tea and anime.

Find Lindsey

Website (www.lindseymdillon.com/)

Etsy (www.etsy.com/shop/lindseymdillon/)

Patreon (www.patreon.com/lindseymdillon)

Instagram (www.instagram.com/lindseymdillon/)

TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@lindseymdillon)

Facebook (www.facebook.com/lindseymdillon)

Find Donte

Website and online store (www.earthnationceramics.com/)

Patreon (www.patreon.com/Earthnationceramics/posts)

Youtube (www.youtube.com/earthnationceramics)

Instagram (www.instagram.com/earth_nation_ceramics/)

TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@earthnationceramics)

Facebook (www.facebook.com/EarthNationCeramics/)

Join the Discord (https://discord.gg/Xtmwk7y)

Welcome to The Night Peddlers! In what may soon become a regular Patrons-only side show, The Night Peddlers is the top hat and brandy swilling side of The Mud Peddlers.

Imagine Donte and Lindsey sitting by the fireside, talking to each other about their studio adventures, personal lives, and other behind the "behind-the-scenes" stories that wouldn't normally show up on The Mud Peddlers.

With a mix of candor, humor, and clay, The Night Peddlers invite you to join them...

Did you enjoy listening to The Night Peddlers? Want to hear more of these kinds of conversations? Let us know in the comments or through our social media, and help us decide whether The Night Peddlers becomes a regular show!

About Your Hosts

Lindsey M Dillon is an award-winning professional ceramic artist who makes nerdy mugs, creature sculptures, and cafe dishware. She has been working in clay since 2007, and doing so professionally since 2014. Her supernatural powers haven't manifested yet, but it's ok, she'll wait.

Donte of Earth Nation Ceramics is a professional ceramic artist and Youtuber with over 60k artists in his community, all helping each other grow through their ceramic art journey one step at a time. He also has a massive addiction to boba milk tea and anime.

Find Lindsey

Website (www.lindseymdillon.com/)

Etsy (www.etsy.com/shop/lindseymdillon/)

Patreon (www.patreon.com/lindseymdillon)

Instagram (www.instagram.com/lindseymdillon/)

TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@lindseymdillon)

Facebook (www.facebook.com/lindseymdillon)

Find Donte

Website and online store (www.earthnationceramics.com/)

Patreon (www.patreon.com/Earthnationceramics/posts)

Youtube (www.youtube.com/earthnationceramics)

Instagram (www.instagram.com/earth_nation_ceramics/)

TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@earthnationceramics)

Facebook (www.facebook.com/EarthNationCeramics/)

Join the Discord (https://discord.gg/Xtmwk7y)

Lindsey and Donte revisit what was once a mainstay in their creative worlds in the time before the ‘rona: selling at anime conventions!

As Lindsey gets ready for her first in-person event since 2020 (SacAnime Summer on Labor Day weekend) she and Donte discuss some of the most-often-asked questions about preparing for an in-person selling event, and share some tips for folks who might be thinking about doing one for the first time.

Whether you already have or will be selling at any event from an anime convention to an artisan fair, you might find something useful as they discuss such questions as…

“How many pieces should I make?”

“How much change should I bring?”

“How should I price my work at an in-person event vs online?”

“Should I bring an assistant?”

and “What’s the deal with seller’s permits?”

Plus, find out what’s making con prep particularly…interesting..for Lindsey this year, and why she preaches the gospel of tasty cheese.

Are you thinking about selling at an in-person event? What’s a tip you’ve found most helpful for making selling in-person go smoothly?

Tell us in the comments, or tag us on social media!

_____

Special thanks to @officialkimchikawaii for their Artist Alley checklist that helped Lindsey so much when she was first selling at cons! Check out their website and posts below! 

https://www.kimchikawaii.com/

https://fluffmouse.wordpress.com/2013/01/25/artist-alley-checklist-part-2-setting-up-a-table-the-pretty-stuff/

https://fluffmouse.wordpress.com/2013/01/30/artist-alley-checklist-part-3-items-to-bring-and-make-your-life-easier/

EcoEnclose Bubble Wrap Alternative and Bags

https://www.ecoenclose.com/shop/paper-cushioning-void-fill/greenwrap/

https://www.ecoenclose.com/shop/retail-packaging/100-recycled-paper-shopping-bags/

Info on Temporary Sellers Permits

https://www.cdtfa.ca.gov/industry/temporary-sellers.htm

_____

About Your Hosts

Lindsey M Dillon is an award-winning professional ceramic artist who makes nerdy mugs, creature sculptures, and cafe dishware. She has been working in clay since 2007, and doing so professionally since 2014. Her supernatural powers haven't manifested yet, but it's ok, she'll wait.

Donte of Earth Nation Ceramics is a professional ceramic artist and Youtuber with over 60k artists in his community, all helping each other grow through their ceramic art journey one step at a time. He also has a massive addiction to boba milk tea and anime.

Find Lindsey

Website (www.lindseymdillon.com/)

Etsy (www.etsy.com/shop/lindseymdillon/)

Patreon (www.patreon.com/lindseymdillon)

Instagram (www.instagram.com/lindseymdillon/)

TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@lindseymdillon)

Facebook (www.facebook.com/lindseymdillon)

Find Donte

Website and online store (www.earthnationceramics.com/)

Patreon (www.patreon.com/Earthnationceramics/posts)

Youtube (www.youtube.com/earthnationceramics)

Instagram (www.instagram.com/earth_nation_ceramics/)

TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@earthnationceramics)

Facebook (www.facebook.com/EarthNationCeramics/)

Join the Discord (https://discord.gg/Xtmwk7y)

Lindsey and Donte check in on the progress of their 2022 goals.

They share what they have accomplished (and what they learned from doing so) and what they’ve had to kick down the road a bit (and how they’re adapting their plans for the rest of the year). 

There’s talk of parenting as a potter, what mental blocks have kept some goals perpetually on the to-do list, and how these two artists have reacted to the pull between their work lives and their personal lives.

How are your goals coming along so far this year? What’s one thing you’re glad you accomplished, whether it was one of your goals or not?

Tell us in the comments, or tag us on social media!

Artists discussed in the episode:

Jenny Webb (@jennywebbhandmade)

Ryan Durbin (@rdceramics)

About Your Hosts

Lindsey M Dillon is an award-winning professional ceramic artist who makes nerdy mugs, creature sculptures, and cafe dishware. She has been working in clay since 2007, and doing so professionally since 2014. Her supernatural powers haven't manifested yet, but it's ok, she'll wait.

Donte of Earth Nation Ceramics is a professional ceramic artist and Youtuber with over 60k artists in his community, all helping each other grow through their ceramic art journey one step at a time. He also has a massive addiction to boba milk tea and anime.

Find Lindsey

Website (www.lindseymdillon.com/)

Etsy (www.etsy.com/shop/lindseymdillon/)

Patreon (www.patreon.com/lindseymdillon)

Instagram (www.instagram.com/lindseymdillon/)

TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@lindseymdillon)

Facebook (www.facebook.com/lindseymdillon)

Find Donte

Website and online store (www.earthnationceramics.com/)

Patreon (www.patreon.com/Earthnationceramics/posts)

Youtube (www.youtube.com/earthnationceramics)

Instagram (www.instagram.com/earth_nation_ceramics/)

TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@earthnationceramics)

Facebook (www.facebook.com/EarthNationCeramics/)

Join the Discord (https://discord.gg/Xtmwk7y)