Wheel Talk

Ryan and Becca introduce listeners to Jordan Kloppe, new owner of Bluebird Clay. Bluebird is a name that’s been around our industry for decades and are most known for manufacturing pugmills, clay mixers, and Soldner pottery wheels. Jordan shares his outsider perspective as he recently purchased the business, brings it into a new era of manufacturing, and some speed bumps he’s encountered so far. Stick around for part two next week to finish our conversation.

-----Find more about Bluebird below-----
Instagram - @bluebird_clay
Website - https://bluebirdclay.com/
Facebook - https://facebook.com/100090242449210/

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
Smith Sharpe Refractory - Find out which Advancer Kiln Shelves are right for you at kilnshelf.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

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 welcome back Link Henderson, the owner of Kentucky Mudworks and Dirty Girls Pottery Tools, for part two of our conversation from last week. They discuss switching to Shopify as a sales platform, running marketing campaigns/sales throughout the year, online and print resources for staying up-to-date on changes in our industry, and some fun questions to finish things up. Thanks for listening!

-----Find more about Link's businesses below-----
Kentucky Mudworks
Instagram - @kentuckymudworks
Website - https://kymudworks.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/kentuckymudworks
Facebook Group - Ky Mudworks Clay & Glaze Group

Dirty Girls Pottery Tools
Instagram - @dirtygirlspotterytools
Website - https://dirtygirlspotterytools.com/

Link Henderson
Instagram - @missinglinkfarm
Website - https://missinglinkfarm.com/

Listener Questions
On this episode:
- How do you stay informed about shortages, new technologies, etc. Aside from attending NCECA, what magazines do you subscribe to? What organizations do you feel are valuable to invest in? For me, I get ICAN periodicals, but they don’t cover stuff as much as I’d like sometimes. For example, why did the Custer Feldspar mine shut down so suddenly? What are the benefits of using G200EU vs. Mahavir, chemically? I don’t need an answer to that specific question, but more an idea of where that conversation may be taking place. Does that make sense? @jelo.designs

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 welcome back Link Henderson, the owner of Kentucky Mudworks and Dirty Girls Pottery Tools, for an in-depth conversation. They discuss the significant adjustments Link's businesses have made since their last chat 3 years ago, particularly in response to the uncertainty surrounding raw materials. Link also shares insights into their rigorous product testing process before shipping to customers. Plus, they delve into a slightly controversial topic that you'll definitely want to hear. Tune in next week for the second part of this engaging discussion!

-----Find more about Link's businesses below-----
Kentucky Mudworks
Instagram - @kentuckymudworks
Website - https://kymudworks.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/kentuckymudworks
Facebook Group - Ky Mudworks Clay & Glaze Group

Dirty Girls Pottery Tools
Instagram - @dirtygirlspotterytools
Website - https://dirtygirlspotterytools.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

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 back to chat about Becca's next challenge as she's made her way back east for the summer. She's planning ahead for diving head first into online teaching in clay. It's not something too foreign for her, but she's been planning for months (maybe even years) to get to this point. There's a lot of unknowns still, but the plan is set in motion. Ryan also shares a bit about a new throwing challenge he's started the past few weeks.

Listener Questions
On this episode:
-  Hi Ryan and Becca! I have tried to get an answer to this question and apparently am struggling. I want to make some olla pots (bury them in the garden, fill them with water that slowly leaks through to water plants) but no clay store near me sells terracotta. I have found a clay with an absorption of 22% at cone 2 though. My question is: does absorption equal porosity if I don't glaze it? THANK YOU!!!! @mspiveyceramics

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 & Becca are happy to be joined by Bethany Kramer from Bethany Rose Pottery to answer all of our questions about working on orders with restaurants. Bethany has been working with various local and regional restaurants over nearly the last decade, finding success as she's grown. We're happy to get some answers regarding making orders in large quantities, hiring help, working with chefs/owners, adjusting forms over time, firing cone 10 gas reduction work, balancing family time, and shifting income streams over the years. We covered so much in what felt like a short time. Enjoy!

-----Find more about Bethany's business below-----
Instagram - @bethanyrosepottery
Website - https://www.bethanyrosepottery.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BethanyRosePottery

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
Speedball Ceramics - Check out their new underglaze formula online or from a distributor near you. Find out more at speedballart.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 & Becca discuss how they think about adjusting their business & finances when sales are harder to come by.  We've seen slower sales to start the year online, at shows, and general sentiment around folks having less disposable income. We hope you get some valuable takeaways to get yourself prepared in the case of finances tightening or product being harder to sell.

Resources
Wheel Talk #233 - Is paid advertisement worth it? with Will Donovan

Listener Questions
On this episode:
-  What do you do with oil bottles/soap dispensers that end up too narrow for the 'tops' (oil spouts/soap pumps)? I think others should hear your response because it was a good one! @greencabinpottery 

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
Speedball Ceramics - Check out their new underglaze formula online or from a distributor near you. Find out more at speedballart.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 & Becca go in deep on finding shows early in your selling career. Becca plays interviewer on this one to ask Ryan all about his early shows, what he hopes to get sales-wise these days at a show, and how the progression has evolved year to year. There's also some discussion about where and how to find the shows for you. Thanks for the question Tiffany!

Resources
Sign up for Becca's upcoming  Nesting Mixing Bowls virtual workshop on Wed, May 15 at 8pm EST
Wheel Talk #208 - Optimizing your show applications with Deanna Poelsma

Listener Questions
On this episode:
- I'm struggling to see how I can make a living at selling my pottery with high cost of clay, glazes, electricity and cost of events.  What are typical costs of events/festivals/fairs to sell your pottery?  What types of events are best selling events (fair, craft fair, street fair or festival)?  What are your sales goals for these events?  When do you know if you're good enough to try a juried event?  Are there specific juried events you recommend, i.e. ZAPP or just local juried events?  Do you do any commission work?  As an example, I had a potential customer as me to make a set of plates in a very specific color of blue. @tiffanycarperceramics

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
Speedball Ceramics - Check out their new underglaze formula online or from a distributor near you. Find out more at speedballart.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 & Becca are back together once again to discuss risk taking in our businesses. What's the most risk we've taken lately, how do we think through risks we're willing to take, how having a support system influences our decisions, and how do we prepare ourselves when something doesn't go right. We hope you enjoy our discussion today.

Resources
Sign up for Becca's upcoming  Nesting Mixing Bowls virtual workshop on Wed, May 15 at 8pm EST

Listener Questions
On this episode:
-  How do you decide what forms are worth wholesaling? How do you decide on the cost split? @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
Speedball Ceramics - Check out their new underglaze formula online or from a distributor near you. Find out more at speedballart.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 & Becca have the whole crew here today, joined by Heidi Fahrenbacher from Bella Joy Pottery and Isaac Shue from Gallery Mostaza. They talk a lot more about our hot topic as of late: pricing. Heidi continues where we left off last time to ask Ryan about his approach to pricing and digging into Isaac's pricing philosophy.

-----Find more about Isaac's business below-----
Instagram - @isaacshueisart & @gallery.mostaza
Gallery Website - https://www.gallerymostaza.com/
Isaac's Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/isceramics
Gallery Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/gallerymostaza
Wheel Talk #108 - Finding your market

-----Find more about Heidi's business below-----
Instagram - @bellajoypottery
Website - https://www.bellajoypottery.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bellajoypottery
Wheel Talk #245 - Pricing your work pt 2 & presenting at NCECA
Wheel Talk #219 - Pricing your work effectively
Wheel Talk #91 - Things to Be Happy About

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

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