Wheel Talk

Ryan & Becca welcome Henrik Van Ryzin today from VanTiki Studios. He shares a wealth of knowledge about his evolution from a special effects artist to a full time ceramic artist focused in mold making & slip casting. Henrik and his wife Denise focus on producing ceramic tiki mugs and other goods that share their love of tiki with customers all over the world. Check out his YouTube channel for in-depth knowledge about the technical side of his slipcast and mold-making process.

-----Find more about Henrik's business below-----
Instagram - @vantiki
Website - https://vantiki.com/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/vantikistudio
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/vantiki

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 get deep into kilns on today's episode to give some insight into how you may choose your next kiln based on your studio production. They cover a range of kiln body sizes from the L&L & Skutt lines, as well as a few others along the way. Good luck if you're in the market for a kiln and let us know if you have any questions to help you make the decision a little easier. Enjoy!

Listener Questions
On this episode:
- Do you use Etys ads? If so, how do you decide what listings are best to advertise, and how much money to put into ads? Thanks friends @bluenosetrading
- I would love to get a larger kiln when I expand my studio space next year and I’m totally sold on an L&L! But I don’t know which kiln to get. Can y’all do a segment (sponsored or not) on kiln sizes? I currently have a Skutt 822. Not sure I could get a much taller kiln because I’m short (5’2”) but really am outgrowing the kiln size. What’s a great next size up for potters who do “semi-production” work? @thepotterymason

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 together this week to recap some of the points discussed last week on Becca's solo episode about her shows. To relate back to a more broad topic, Ryan get's into what he feels influences buyers to purchase from you at shows. Hopefully you were able to reflect on your booth set-up and interactions at shows to see where you're doing well and maybe some areas of improvement. Thanks for listening!

Listener Questions
On this episode:
- As the holiday season is gearing up, I’ve been trying to figure out how to maximize my time/output in the studio so I can take advantage of the additional shopping/spending this time of year, especially because I know January-April will be the slow season.   Do you make any changes to your studio schedule/the way you allocate your time to make sure you’re making the most of the holiday season? For instance, would you take vacation time from your full time job so that you can increase production in the studio during these month? Also, do you change your focus once January hits? For instance, do you focus on reaching out to wholesalers, focus on online updates, etc since there are less in person markets? @marg.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

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

Becca shares some thoughts on her drive back to Indianapolis after a show weekend in Louisville, KY. She covers some thoughts around what a positive show looks like for her, how she's feeling about shows this year, and how she plans to move forward. We hope you enjoy this raw solo episode with Becca and stick around next week when Ryan shares some thoughts about it.

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 answer a frequent listener questions about how to keep your studio clean, from handling water usage, clay dust, reclaim, equipment, managing a packing & shipping station, and how we can make the space sustainable for the long term. Enjoy and happy cleaning!

Resources
For Flux Sake Podcast
Safety in the Ceramics Studio by Jeff Zamek

Listener Questions
On this episode:
- How do you know when it’s time to change thermocouple? I have a Skutt. The metal part of thermocouple looks black and dropping black flecks inside kiln. One person I asked said “wait until it fails and kiln will tell you”. Not sure I want to risk a kiln load of firing that way. Do you have a better recommendation? @sarahhagopian
- Health, safety and cleanliness in a (shared) studio space @annaduweke

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 share some updates about their lively week together before getting to some listener questions and finally the topic for today: building partnerships with companies. There's no copy and paste message you can send out to the companies you'd like to partner with, but you can certainly be yourself and share how you'd make a great person to talk about their products. Best of luck if you're thinking about reaching out to some companies for collaborations.

Listener Questions
On this episode:
- Hello, love the podcast and have been listening since the beginning! This is my first question on the show. SO, I was vending a show this past weekend and dealt with a very rude, disrespectful person which was unfortunately one of the other vendors. I've had unpleasant customers before but this was another level especially since it was a vendor. Since then I've been thinking about it and wish I had handled it differently... I was very passive/defensive but wish I went on the offense a bit more. So the question is how do you deal with a toxic person at an event? Thank you! @earthengoat

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 together in-person today at Ryan's while they chat virtually with Milissa and Eric Beale from Beale Pottery in northwest Indiana. They chat about their recent grand opening celebration, managing the business as a husband & wife team,  balancing multiple styles of work, class/workshop offerings, financial risk of relying only on pottery income for the family, and plenty more. Tons of laughs and value gained from our discussion today thanks to Milissa and Eric.

-----Find more about the Beale's business below-----
Instagram - @beale_pottery
Website - https://www.bealepottery.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BealePottery/

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 and Becca discuss a heavy topic today: burnout. What’s led to burnout for both Becca & Ryan, how are they feeling in the midst of it, & how do they cope with it? It’s a tough time of year for so many small business owners as the holidays approach, but we can get through this to feel good about the end of our year. Thanks for listening and best of luck to finish out 2023!

Listener Questions
On this episode:
- I’m collaborating with a friend. She’s creating designs for screen printing on mugs as well as making the screens. I’m doing the clay work (form design, throwing, handles, etc) and glaze plan. How do we sort out the money aspect? 50/50? Is there a formula for this? Any experiences you can share that would help would be much appreciated? @blacktoothpottery
- How do you track your inventory on consignment at different locations. Are there systems you've found or seen others use that you love? Are there ones you'd avoid like the plague? I love how you can track and run reports in square on items sold in person and I'm struggling to find a way to track and run reports similarly for consignment sales. @glazedconfusedcreations

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 welcome back Heidi Fahrenbacher from Bella Joy Pottery while Becca is visiting her up in Michigan for the week. They cover a number of topics but mainly focus on how Heidi manages many wholesale accounts, the collections most suitable for wholesale, and pricing your work to properly account for your materials, labor, and profit. We hope you enjoy today’s in-depth discussion with Heidi.

-----Find more about Heidi's business below-----
Instagram - @bellajoypottery
Website - https://www.bellajoypottery.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bellajoypottery
Wheel Talk #91 - Things to Be Happy About with Heidi Fahrenbacher from Bella Joy Pottery https://wheeltalk.buzzsprout.com/539026/8520636-91-things-to-be-happy-about-with-heidi-fahrenbacher-from-bella-joy-pottery
Tales of the Red Clay Rambler #469 Heidi Fahrenbacher on her formula for pricing https://www.talesofaredclayrambler.com/episodes/469-heidi-fahrenbacher-on-her-formula-for-pricing 

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 bring you a special episode discussing all things #potswap2023, our 6th year hosting this global event. There are a few important changes this year to be aware of and we cover it all today. Follow along with all Pot Swap happenings on Instagram @potswapofficial. Registration is free and open to the first 1,000 entries this year starting on Sunday, October 15th at 12pm EDT. First come, first serve on sign-ups so set a reminder (we have a reminder shared in our Instagram stories)! Spots WILL fill up very fast so don't wait!

We're joined by a great group of clay friends to help with all of the tasks involved to make Pot Swap a success year after year. We've made many changes over the years based on feedback of our past participants to keep improving each year. Thanks for the continued support!

Full details on our website at https://www.wheeltalkpotcast.com/potswap
Donate to Pot Swap at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/wheeltalkpodcast

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