The Mud Peddlers: Ceramic Art Behind the Scenes

Lindsey and Donte share how they navigate making videos of their work for social media. From TikTok and Instagram Reels to Youtube, they discuss how they manage their video content,, the biggest challenges they face in creating videos, and some ways to make your own video content-creation a bit easier if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the ever-changing demands of the algorithm gods.

How comfortable are you with taking videos of your work? What tip might you share with someone who is just getting into video-creation?

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 dip their toes into the “big-brain” topic of ways to interpret art.

Art can be moving and captivating. But it can also be intimidating. And confusing. And even straight up boring.

Many of us can say we have a favorite genre of music, but not everyone feels sure enough to say what kind of art they like. Especially if it’s the kind of art that’s in galleries and museums.

So, this week, Lindsey and Donte share some of the ways you can approach art.

Not only to help art feel more approachable, but also to help give an invigorating perspective to some stuffy classics.

Is there a style of art you connect with most? Where do you like to go to be around art? (Makers Marts, local art shows, big contemporary galleries, museums, movies…?) 

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

Link to painting mentioned in the episode: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/jan-van-eyck-the-arnolfini-portrait

Lindsey and Donte talk about how they take photos. There’s talk of light, color, angles, backgrounds, editing tools, and the ever-important vibe of photographs -- and how it relates to their branding. They also share some tips that helped them as they started taking pictures of their work...there's even a little homework assignment for you to try out if you’re doing the same.

What do you struggle with the most when you take photos? What’s one photography tip you've found the most helpful?

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

***One resource Lindsey forgot to mention in the episode is the photography course offered by Rebecca of The Maker’s Playbook podcast. She also offers free photography tips in her newsletter. Here’s the link for those interested! 

https://www.makersplaybook.com/photography/

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 start out with a conversation about more pricing details, and how to balance skill, time, and rarity in pricing in your ceramic art…

Which evolves into a lively debate about what makes something valuable.

There’s discussion of social constructs, the lifecycle of fads, when properly valuing work becomes price gouging. And – of course – swirly mugs.

How do you navigate the ambiguity of value when you’re looking to buy others’ work? Or when you’re figuring out the “right” price for your work?

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

The sauce on the ethical concerns about Uline: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/07/us/politics/liz-dick-uihlein-republican-donors.html

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 answer a listener question about stamina in the studio – mental, physical, and creative stamina. 

Alongside some practical tips about how to get the most out of your time on the wheel, Donte and Lindsey discuss their sometimes differing philosophies about when to push through emotional blocks, whether to focus on production consistency or a unique artistic calling, and how to avoid old mistakes when starting a new project.

A huge thanks to Natalie and Rae of @poutypottery for this question!

Give their question a listen, and tell us in the comments…what do you do to extend your time in the studio without seeing your work suffer?

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 go head-to-head for the title in this EXTREME podcasting experience! Donte swaggers to the table with Squarespace, his trusty website-builder and selling platform. Lindsey strides up with Etsy, the easy – but controversial – marketplace website. 

They swing at each other, comparing each website with such ferocious topics as ease of use, fee structures, flexibility, and public perception. They brawl over the recent fee increase of 5% to 6.5% Etsy just implemented. They fight point-for-point over the pros and cons of marketing and exposure each site offers.

Both hosts are armed with their own reasons, but WHO will decimate the other to claim the title for the best way to sell your artwork online????

WHO are YOU rooting for?? Hit us with your best reasons for why YOU sell your work the way you do, whether it's Etsy, Squarespace, Shopify, or another site!! Drop those devastating comments below, or tag us on social!

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 debrief after an exciting – and exhausting – experience at NCECA (the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts).

Between telling stories of the people they met and the mugs they traded during the 4-day clay extravaganza, they discuss what they each wanted out of NCECA (and if they got it), what NCECA has to offer for new vs. experienced ceramic artists, what it feels like to trying to find “your people” in the clay world, gaining a new perspective on an old technique…

And Donte’s mild identity crisis.

If you went to the conference, what were some of your favorite memories of NCECA? If not, where are you finding your inspiration these days? 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 take a small break from pure clay talk to catch up on an exciting past two weeks – and answer questions you didn’t know you were burning to ask.

Like, “What’s the name of Donte’s brand new first-born?” Or, “What tastes like a french fry but is not a french fry?” Or, “What free and awesome clay event is Lindsey going to be demonstrating at on Saturday the 19th?”

Ok, yeah that last one *does* have to do with clay, they couldn’t help themselves.

***Events!***

NCECA Luminaries Show

What: A group ceramics art show. Come see Lindsey’s sculptures in-person! (Ticket to NCECA may be required to get into convention center building)

When: Opening Reception Wednesday March 16th 4-6:30pm. (Show open through Friday)

Where: Safe Credit Union Convention Center in downtown Sacramento, Meeting Room 16 on 2nd floor.

Clay Camp

What: Free pop-up event where you get to see live demos, get your burning art questions answered, and make your own ceramic piece to take home. Come say hi and see Lindsey and Natasha of @tashathrowsraw throw on the wheel.

When: Saturday March 19th 11am-4pm

Where: Crocker Art Museum Courtyard in Sacramento, CA

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)

Seed Studio w/ Sioux Bean

With Donte out of the studio with some very exciting news, Lindsey and special guest Sioux Bean sit down to continue The Mud Peddlers pre-NCECA interview series. 

Sioux shares his earliest memories with clay, how his conceptions about art and sculpture underwent a massive evolution over the years, his rise in the food and fine dining industry, his experiences with higher education…and how all of that has intertwined to give rise to the socially-conscious work he does today.

He also shares his experience and philosophy behind Seed Studio, the midtown-based ceramics studio he opened in 2021 here in Sacramento.

Have you ever had an “ah-ha” moment where you see seemingly separate elements of your life combine? Tell us in the comments, or tag us (@lindseymdillon and @earthnationceramics) on social media.

About Sioux Bean and Seed Studio

@siouxbean

www.siouxbean.com

@sac.seed

www.sacseed.com

*Seed is also a retailer of IMCO, and offers tools and clay for purchase.

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 (https://www.lindseymdillon.com/)

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

Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/lindseymdillon)

Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lindseymdillon/)

TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@lindseymdillon)

Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/lindseymdillon)

Find Donte

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

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

Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/earthnationceramics)

Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/earth_nation_ceramics/)

TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@earthnationceramics)

Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EarthNationCeramics/)

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

Lindsey and Donte discuss all things feet…on pottery. They share the pros and cons of trimming or not, discuss the functional and stylistic considerations around feet, and even get into some thoughts about pottery design in general and what makes a piece interesting to them. 

Whether you’re a new potter/ceramic artist and you’re having trouble getting your feet “just right” or have had your hands in clay for a while and feel a bit stuck, this episode has a little something for you.

Do you trim your feet? Is there a style of trimming/adding feet you’ve wanted to try? Tell us in the comments, or tag us (@lindseymdillon and @earthnationceramics) 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 (https://www.lindseymdillon.com/)

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

Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/lindseymdillon)

Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lindseymdillon/)

TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@lindseymdillon)

Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/lindseymdillon)

Find Donte

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

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

Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/earthnationceramics)

Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/earth_nation_ceramics/)

TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@earthnationceramics)

Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EarthNationCeramics/)

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