Ryan and Becca are excited to have Tim Kowalczyk from Tims Ceramics on to cover a range of topics and answer a couple listener questions. We chat about selling through galleries, testing new processes, being "academic" with how you talk about your work, taking yourself a little less seriously, artist statements, & applying to shows. We hope you enjoy the discussion and big thanks to Tim for spending so much time with us.

-----Find more about Tim's business below-----
Instagram - @timsceramics
Shop - https://tims-ceramics.myshopify.com/collections/all
Website - https://timsceramics.com/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5UD4uaoiGKwXI89NyBeGig

Listener Questions
On this episode:
- What do you think are the advantages of doing a curated show? Disadvantages? I’ve been invited to participate in a group show with some other Ceramic artists that I really admire. The show is a little over a month long at a gallery in Portland. After saying yes, I find out that they want 10 pieces, but really they only want 2 pieces to be shown at the gallery, the rest would be only virtual. Of course the gallery wants 50% of all of the 10 pieces. It would be still my responsibility to drop ship the pieces to the customer. I think the shipping fee will be added to the order so I don’t have to cough that up too. I already sell pretty much 100% of my work virtual on my own website. Although, I don’t always sell out on a shop update. Is doing this show or this type of show really going to give me that much more exposure to give up 50%? I’m in such a quandary! Oh and they want to see pictures of all 10 pieces 3 months before the show. @juliannroush
 - Have you talked about writing artist statements for submitting work to galleries? I had to do one recently and wasn’t sure how to approach it. (Also I am thinking Becca probably hates artist statements. 😂) @overbrookclay

Send us questions so we can answer anything you've been thinking about on a future episode. Send those through Instagram @wheeltalkpodcast or email us at [email protected].

Sponsors - L&L Kilns
The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast
Becca’s Patreon: https://patreon.com/superpotlady

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Vis

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Ryan shares a scary situation that happened to him recently before Ryan & Becca answer a few listener questions. On today's episode, the questions relate to trading with other artists, a sticky situation for a pottery teacher, and working with other artists on collaborations. Thanks for listening and enjoy!

Listener Questions
On this episode:
- How do you approach other artists about trades? Trading is talked about often and I’m curious. Not that I feel like I want to trade, I just think I’d be too embarrassed to ask if I ever did want to @thistlemoorpottery
- I’m a freelancer and I teach pottery for a few hours every week in a local studio in the city next to mine. I’m a contractor who works on commission basis per student with them . I also have an online business. The studio is asking me to sign a non compete that does not allow me to take up any opportunity that they think it’s competition to them (this is the exact wording) it also does not allow me to work with anyone else within 20 miles of the location for one year , basically they are restraining my employability. Is this even possible for studios to ask for non. Competes with their contractors ? Obviously I refused and waiting to hear their response. It will mostly be termination of contract . I live 10 miles away from the studio in another city and I’m a part of the city’s art group. I don’t want to miss out on opportunities that my city may bring into existence in future. @isanceramics
- First of all I want to tell you that I love your podcast and look forward to the weekly drops. I am going to collab with an artist who will paint on mugs or I’ll have a custom overglaze made with her designs. I have no idea how to compensate her and wondering if you have any advice. @pottery_by_brendalee

Send us questions so we can answer anything you've been thinking about on a future episode. Send those through Instagram @wheeltalkpodcast or email us at [email protected].

Sponsors - L&L Kilns
The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Ryan and Becca are happy to have Hope Limyansky-Smith on the podcast to talk about a range of topics including: teaching in a high school setting, managing social media as an educator, production of her own work, analyzing Meta Verified, and plenty of laughs along the way. We thank Hope for her time and we anticipate you will enjoy the conversation as well.

-----Find more about Hope's business below-----
Instagram - @limyanskystudios
Shop - https://www.etsy.com/shop/LimyanskyStudios
Website - https://www.limyanskystudios.com/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@LimyanskyStudios
Clay King Discount Code - "Hope5" for $5 off $50 or "Hope10" for $10 off $100 at https://www.clay-king.com/

Listener Questions
Send us questions so we can answer anything you've been thinking about on a future episode. Send those through Instagram @wheeltalkpodcast or email us at [email protected].

Sponsors - L&L Kilns
The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast
Becca’s Patreon: https://patreon.com/superpotlady

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Ryan & Becca compare the pros & cons of offering "free" shipping for your online shop. Becca prefers offering free shipping and Ryan prefers adding shipping charges at the end, making for an interesting debate. Let us know your thoughts and how you approach this question.

Listener Questions
On this episode:
- When setting up your booth, is an outside L or inside L better for bringing people in? Does it matter? @thistlemoorpottery
- How do y'all feel about being put directly next to another potter at a mixed art show? I personally would prefer that there is some space between each medium, so people's minds are directly comparing artists work. -anonymous
- I’m struggling between free shipping (built into price), or additional shipping and handling fees. Which is preferable to buyers?? @kerripainterart

Send us questions so we can answer anything you've been thinking about on a future episode. Send those through Instagram @wheeltalkpodcast or email us at [email protected].

Sponsors - L&L Kilns
The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast
Becca’s Patreon: https://patreon.com/superpotlady

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Ryan & Becca are trying out a shoot the sh!t episode just for fun. We cover family, paying taxes, online orders, plumbing issues, alternative firing methods, and fidget stones. Enjoy and let us know whether we should keep doing these or not.

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast
Becca’s Patreon: https://patreon.com/superpotlady

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Ryan & Becca discuss a question that came in related to finding a consistent style, but having interest in experimenting with new designs. We cover the potential drawbacks & positives to introducing new designs, how to avoid surprising your customers, and the timeline you could consider as you experiment. We've both changed up our styles over time, some more drastic than others, but it's ultimately good for the longevity of your enjoyment of the craft to keep yourself interested as you progress.

Listener Questions
On this episode:
- Are you guys “sock, sock, shoe, shoe” or “sock, shoe, sock, shoe”? @kerripainterart
- Do you ever see someone’s social media pages be just so terrible even though their work is amazing? Do you ever reach out to offer advice even though they’re already trying so hard? -anonymous
- I wanted to know what both of your opinions are on sticking to a specific style while making your work. I have been working on refining my own style but still find myself branching out and playing with new designs. Some other makers I have chatted with told me that you may lose a customer base if you don’t stick to your specific designs, especially as you generate a larger following. I know that y’all previously discussed developing a style, but once you hone in a style do either of you feel “stuck” or that you may not get as many sales if you try something new? How do you balance making new work but also satisfying your current audience and their expectations of you? @nws_ceramics

Send us questions so we can answer anything you've been thinking about on a future episode. Send those through Instagram @wheeltalkpodcast or email us at [email protected].

Sponsors - L&L Kilns
The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast
Becca’s Patreon: https://patreon.com/superpotlady

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Ryan & Becca answer a couple listener questions before getting into an in-depth discussion about pricing small items like Becca's fidget stones. Her fidget stones are a bit different because they require many hours of rock tumbling to smooth them, but doesn't require more effort for her necessarily. They also get into other factors that help you determine your price on an item and how to market them effectively.

Resources
Quark Wheel
Shimpo Aspire Wheel
Speedball Artista Wheel

Listener Questions
On this episode:
- I am wondering what you guys what recommend for a portable wheel. I heard Becca talking about her on the clay con podcast, and I’m pretty sure I saw that Ryan has one as well? Would love y’all’s insight! Thanks for all you guys do to make this info accessible @upbeat.studios
- Curious to know how Becca’s fire box is working out for her now that it’s been a bit. Could a firebox be a good workaround solution for a potter who doesn’t have convenient access to a full-size kiln? Getting desperate and tired of driving 84 miles round trip to fire at a local store. I only make food safe cups/mugs/small bowls/spoon rests. @mostly_mugs

Send us questions so we can answer anything you've been thinking about on a future episode. Send those through Instagram @wheeltalkpodcast or email us at [email protected].

Sponsors - L&L Kilns
The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast
Becca’s Patreon: https://patreon.com/superpotlady

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Ryan & Becca are joined by Erica, Ryan's studio assistant, to chat all about their experiences during NCECA 2023 in Cincinnati, OH. Thanks for all the great companies & folks we met and reconnected with during the entire week! It was such a great experience and we can't wait for next year! Catch us at Clay Con West 2024 in St. George, Utah in January as well.

-----Find more about Erica below-----
Instagram - @erica_irene_k and @close_enough_kilroy

Resources
Potters of Color 2.0 podcast
@potters_of_color_podcast

Listener Questions
Send us questions so we can answer anything you've been thinking about on a future episode. Send those through Instagram @wheeltalkpodcast or email us at [email protected].

Sponsors - L&L Kilns
The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast
Becca’s Patreon: https://patreon.com/superpotlady

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Ryan & Becca are joined by Lindsey & Donte, co-hosts of The Mud Peddlers Podcast, to discuss the topic of "Learning Through Collaboration" live at the NCECA 2023 clay conference hosted in Cincinnati, OH. We hope you enjoy the discussion as the four of us have varied perspectives on what collaboration means to us as makers, small business owners, friends, and individuals. Thanks to Ben Carter (Tales of the Red Clay Rambler) who graciously invited us to participate in the first year of the podcast room panel discussions at NCECA. I hope we can continue it at future NCECA conferences. Also, thanks to everyone who came to our talk in-person and asked questions live. Enjoy and we hope to see you at a future conference!

-----All the things about Lindsey and Donte-----
The Mud Peddlers: Ceramic Art Behind the Scene‪s podcast
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mud-peddlers-ceramic-art-behind-the-scenes/id1523600736
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2l1brWtrFuscNktFkbq4hI

Lindsey M. Dillon
Instagram - @lindseymdillon
Website - https://www.lindseymdillon.com
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/lindseymdillon

Donte from Earth Nation Ceramics
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/EarthNationCeramics
Website - https://www.earthnationceramics.com/
Instagram - @earth_nation_ceramics
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/Earthnationceramics

Listener Questions
Send us questions so we can answer anything you've been thinking about on a future episode. Send those through Instagram @wheeltalkpodcast or email us at [email protected].

Sponsors - L&L Kilns
The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast
Becca’s Patreon: https://patreon.com/superpotlady

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Ryan & Becca answer a couple listener questions specific to pricing your work depending on the medium you’re selling in & confidence in yourself. Topics include pricing to sell to a local restaurant or pricing at local shows. Your prices don’t have to be set in stone, so be open to changing them when you think it’s needed.

Listener Questions
On this episode:
- Do you think the majority of Instagram popular potters fire oxidation rather than reduction? @seuzens
- How do you guys handle pricing for larger orders in comparison to wholesale? For example, an order for 30-50 mugs for a restaurant to use. It’s not wholesale, but that large of an order seems like it would warrant a discount from standard retail price. What do you guys do? @thepotterymason
- Ryan, I am a small ceramics maker. Have you covered "pricing" and working side by side with makers/ceramicists/etc (not necessarily all together)? I've just started and shown at holiday fairs, ceramic arts shows, makers fairs, and I've found the vendors can be very different and pricing can be so different. For instance, selling a mug at a holiday show at $25-40 might be the norm, and then a maker fair it might be $40-70, and then a ceramic art fair might be different. I ask because I showed recently and have had lower prices in the past $25-35 mugs and vendors didn't like that at all - a few even came up to complain to me. Obviously, there's a touch of imposter syndrome and I need to value my work at a higher rate. @bruce.leong

Send us questions so we can answer anything you've been thinking about on a future episode. Send those through Instagram @wheeltalkpodcast or email us at [email protected].

Sponsors - L&L Kilns
The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast
Becca’s Patreon: https://patreon.com/superpotlady

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel