The Mud Peddlers: Ceramic Art Behind the Scenes

“It wasn’t dirt, it was gold to me.” In this alchemical interview, Lindsey and Donte talk personal transformation, art resources, and community with Anna Morales.

Anna is a ceramic artist and Public Engagement Coordinator at Verge Center for the Arts in Sacramento.

She shares her experience catching the “clay bug”, the career path she chose that took her to Verge, and why you– yes you– should come say hi at Verge during NCECA and throughout the year.

This interview is part of a series celebrating the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) convention coming to Sacramento March 16th-19th 2022.

Do you have an arts center in your area? If so, share for your neighbors in the comments! If not, what kinds of resources would you want one to offer?

Or tell us on social media (tag us so we can see it and use #themudpeddlers!)

Links and Shoutouts

Anna Morales (@andromedas_galaxy on Instagram)

Verge Center for the Arts (https://www.vergeart.com/classes/clay-lab/)

NCECA Website (https://nceca.net/2022-sacramento/)

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 chat with fellow artist Ianna Frisby about the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) convention coming to Sacramento this March 16th-19th.

Ianna introduces them to the world of her work and shares her journey pushing boundaries and exploring the depths of her creative well – from clay to hot glue.

They also discuss the art scene in Sacramento, and how you can enjoy a weekend of clay nerdiness in the Farm to Fork capital. 

Give them a listen and then tell them…are you joining Lindsey and Donte at NCECA?

Tell us using #themudpeddlers and tag Lindsey and Donte on your platform of choice.

Links and Shoutouts

Ianna Frisby @iannanova (https://www.iannanovafrisby.com/)

NCECA Website (https://nceca.net/2022-sacramento/)

Aida Lizalde @aida_lizalde (https://aidalizalde.com/)

Myung Ahn @myungahnceramics (https://www.instagram.com/myungahnceramics/?hl=en)

Daniel Trejo @dnltrejo (https://trejodaniel.com/About)

Sunshine Cobb @shinygbird (https://www.sunshinecobb.com/)

Kelsey Bowen @kjbowen (https://www.kelseyjbowen.com/)

Julie Clements @clements.julie  (http://www.claypigeonceramics.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 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 share some tips for marketing an online shop update. We just finished up the most marketing-heavy time of year. It’s challenging enough just making everything you want to sell – developing a strategy to let people know it’s out there can feel overwhelming.

So, in this discussion, Lindsey and Donte share some tips that might be of help to the advertising-adverse. They also broaden the discussion to when it is a good time to start selling your work for the first time, and – in developing an overall online presence – how much of your personality you’re obligated to share.

How did you navigate sales during the holidays? What strategies do you use to tell people about your shop updates?

Tell us using #themudpeddlers and tag Lindsey and Donte on your platform of choice.

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 reflect on this past year, and begin shaping plans for 2022. They chat about the goals they met, the goals they stand to face in the new year, and the goals that will carry over into next year – and why some got checked off and others did not. There’s talk of glazing adventures, troubles with stickers, and the unexpected growth(s) that added something special to their year. Oh and by the way…Lindsey finally made her Patreon.

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)

In this extra *craze-y* episode, Lindsey and Donte talk all things crazing. Ever see tiny hairline cracks in your pottery? That's what crazing is. There's more that goes into it, so Lindsey asks Donte all about what crazing is, why it happens, how to fix it, and why it's a problem in the first place. 

Consider this the sister episode to the video Donte recently posted on his channel, so if you're wanting to dive deeper, have a look! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjS_87A7h5U

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 how they plan their content -- both for their social media and for the items they make.

There's talk of what events on their calendar shape their practice, what's unique about creating content as ceramic artists, and why what they share on social media corresponds -- or doesn't -- with their day-to-day studio life.

How about you? Do you meticulously plan out your content, or do you post on the fly? What calendar events (from the school year to the fall and winter holidays) do you take into account when you sit down to create?

Find us below and tell us!

Episode Mentions:

A special thank you to Jaz (@sensory._.overload on IG) for their AMAZING fanart of Donte and I. As you can tell, Donte and I absolutely loved it.

Find Kate Farrall (art business coach) on IG @katefarrallcoaching

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 talk pricing...again. In their first episode on pricing (way back in episode 5) they talked about how to price your work if you’re just beginning to sell your ceramics.

In this episode, they share how they've navigated questions they've run into as they've gained more experience selling their work -- questions you might have as well.

Questions like: How often do you raise your prices? When you raise them, by how much do you raise them? What do you do when you know you should raise your prices but you’re worried about driving away your audience? How much do you need to share your decisions about pricing with your audience? How do you navigate what someone might “expect” to pay for something, and what price that something needs to be to be profitable? How do your pricing choices affect your overall business model?

There’s a reason this episode is an hour long, and frankly...there’s still a lot more they could have discussed.

What did you think of the episode? How have you navigated pricing in your business? Find us below and tell us!

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 how they practice sustainability in our studios. They share some of the biggest baby steps they've taken to reduce, reuse, and recycle -- whether that means literally recycling clay, or finding creative ways to legitimize how much ice cream they wanna eat.

There’s talk of where they get their post-consumer shipping materials, what time of day they fire their work, and the one way you *don’t* want to reuse the plastic bags your clay comes in.

Referenced Links:

Donte’s Recycling Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKcJxqgMkmI 

EcoEnclose Packing Tape: https://www.ecoenclose.com/shop/carton-sealing-tape/pressure-sensitive-carton-sealing-tape/

History of Recycling: https://www.npr.org/2019/09/04/757539617/the-litter-myth 

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 the idea of learning through copying. When is it ok to copy someone's work? How have Lindsey and Donte learning through copying? What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?

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)

Donte asks Lindsey about her soon-to-debut Patreon. With hopes that sharing her process will help others considering creating a Patreon, she discusses how she set up her tiers, how she navigated choice paralysis, and how she and Donte differ when it comes to starting new endeavors.

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)