Wheel Talk

After four and a half years as Ryan’s studio assistant, Erica Kilroy returns to Wheel Talk to reflect on her time in the studio before starting a new chapter in Cleveland. Ryan and Erica discuss how her role evolved, the skills and confidence she developed, and the honest feedback that came out of her exit interview. They also look ahead to Erica’s plans for her own home studio and where her career might take her next.

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

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Get occasional updates, listener questions, book club picks, and giveaways from Wheel Talk.
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Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
BuschKraft - The Dragonfly System is a versatile carving setup with interchangeable blades and affordable replacements, available as a single tool or a 3-handle, 8-blade Starter Kit. Get 15% off with code BKWHEELTALK26 at buschkraft.com. Limit one use per customer. Cannot be combined with other discounts.
Speedball – Stock up on your ceramic studio essentials with Speedball's line of glazes, underglazes, bats, and pottery tools. Get 25% off eligible items with code WheelTalkSB2026 at speedballart.com/shop/ceramics/. Offer valid through December 31, 2026. Cannot be combined with other discounts.

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

Laura Williams joins the podcast to share her experience as a traveling ceramic artist, teaching workshops and exhibiting her work across the country while living on the road. She discusses her hand-built pottery practice, embracing imperfection, and how travel has influenced her artistic voice. The conversation also explores creativity, teaching, and the meaningful connections handmade ceramics create between artists and collectors.

-----Find more about Laura's business below-----
Website - laurawilliamsstudio.com
Instagram - @laura.williams.studio
Upcoming Workshops - laurawilliamsstudio.com/workshops

📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email List
Get occasional updates, listener questions, book club picks, and giveaways from Wheel Talk.
👉 Sign up here

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
BuschKraft - The Dragonfly System is a versatile carving setup with interchangeable blades and affordable replacements, available as a single tool or a 3-handle, 8-blade Starter Kit. Get 15% off with code BKWHEELTALK26 at buschkraft.com. Limit one use per customer. Cannot be combined with other discounts.
Speedball – Stock up on your ceramic studio essentials with Speedball's line of glazes, underglazes, bats, and pottery tools. Get 25% off eligible items with code WheelTalkSB2026 at speedballart.com/shop/ceramics/. Offer valid through December 31, 2026. Cannot be combined with other discounts.

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 back with another listener Q&A, answering your questions on everything from finding your artistic voice and balancing creativity with profitability to handling commissions, returns, and managing inventory for Etsy and in-person shows. They also share their thoughts on favorite glazes, workshop dream picks, pottery market gear, and even imagine what the future of ceramics might look like. It's a wide-ranging conversation filled with practical advice, honest opinions, and a few fun detours along the way.

📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email List
Get occasional updates, listener questions, book club picks, and giveaways from Wheel Talk.
👉 Sign up here

Sponsors
L&L Kilns – The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
BuschKraft – The Dragonfly System is a versatile carving setup with interchangeable blades and affordable replacements, available as a single tool or a 3-handle, 8-blade Starter Kit. Get 15% off with code BKWHEELTALK26 at buschkraft.com. Limit one use per customer. Cannot be combined with other discounts.
Speedball – Stock up on your ceramic studio essentials with Speedball's line of glazes, underglazes, bats, and pottery tools. Get 25% off eligible items with code WheelTalkSB2026 at speedballart.com/shop/ceramics/. Offer valid through December 31, 2026. Cannot be combined with other discounts.

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

Michelle O'Brien joins the podcast to share the story behind Elliot Fouts Gallery and what it takes to build lasting relationships between galleries and artists. She discusses the gallery's partnership with ceramic artist Jeff Nebeker, managing high-demand releases, and the logistics of selling and shipping fragile ceramic work. The conversation also explores pricing, consignment, and practical advice for artists interested in working with galleries.

-----Find more about Michelle below-----
Website - efgallery.com
Instagram - @efgallery and @the.gallery.girl
Facebook - Elliott Fouts Gallery

📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email List
Get occasional updates, listener questions, book club picks, and giveaways from Wheel Talk.
👉 Sign up here

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
BuschKraft - The Dragonfly System is a versatile carving setup with interchangeable blades and affordable replacements, available as a single tool or a 3-handle, 8-blade Starter Kit. Get 15% off with code BKWHEELTALK26 at buschkraft.com. Limit one use per customer. Cannot be combined with other discounts.

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 practical ways artists can build stronger connections within their local communities and create lasting opportunities for their businesses. From farmers markets and local Facebook groups to workshops, collaborations, and community events, they share ideas for growing a local audience and why showing up consistently can be more valuable than chasing the next big art fair.

Maker of the Moment

• Mel Casey - @embodiedceramics
• Casey Ann Hanrahan - @caseyannhanrahan

📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email List
Get occasional updates, listener questions, book club picks, and giveaways from Wheel Talk.
👉 Sign up here

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
BuschKraft - The Dragonfly System is a versatile carving setup with interchangeable blades and affordable replacements, available as a single tool or a 3-handle, 8-blade Starter Kit. Get 15% off with code BKWHEELTALK26 at buschkraft.com. Limit one use per customer. Cannot be combined with other discounts.

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

Nicholai Busch joins the podcast to share his journey from developing tools at DiamondCore to launching his own company, BuschKraft Tools. He discusses the decision to build a new brand from the ground up, his approach to designing pottery tools, and the challenges of manufacturing, testing, and growing a small business. The conversation also explores the importance of relationships within the ceramics community and how conferences like ClayCon and NCECA helped shape the company's early growth.

-----Find more about Nicholai below-----
Website - buschkraft.com
Instagram - @buschkraftstudio
Facebook - BuschKraft
TikTok - @buschkraftstudio

📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email List
Get occasional updates, listener questions, book club picks, and giveaways from Wheel Talk.
👉 Sign up here

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
BuschKraft - The Dragonfly System is a versatile carving setup with interchangeable blades and affordable replacements, available as a single tool or a 3-handle, 8-blade Starter Kit. Get 15% off with code BKWHEELTALK26 at buschkraft.com. Limit one use per customer. Cannot be combined with other discounts.

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

In this episode, Becca and Taylor Swilley answer listener questions about plants and pottery, covering everything from drainage holes and planter design to succulent care and specialized pots for different types of plants. They also share thoughts on making and selling planters, common challenges potters face, and why the plant community can be such a strong market for ceramic work.

-----Find more about Taylor’s business below-----
Instagram - @backyardkiln
Website - backyardkiln.com

📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email List
Get occasional updates, listener questions, book club picks, and giveaways from Wheel Talk.
👉 Sign up here

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
BuschKraft - The Dragonfly System is a versatile carving setup with interchangeable blades and affordable replacements, available as a single tool or a 3-handle, 8-blade Starter Kit. Get 15% off with code BKWHEELTALK26 at buschkraft.shop. Limit one use per customer. Cannot be combined with other discounts.

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

Natalie Wagner joins the podcast to share her efforts to revive and expand the ceramics program at the Peterson-McCormick Boys & Girls Club in Chicago. She discusses rebuilding the program after the original kiln failed, how community support helped fund its return, and her long-term vision for creating sustainable opportunities for students through ceramics education and apprenticeships.

-----Find more about Natalie below-----
Go Fund Me for Boys and Girls Club Chicago
Instagram - @big_feeling_ceramics
Website - https://www.bigfeelingceramics.com/

📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email List
Get occasional updates, listener questions, book club picks, and giveaways from Wheel Talk.
👉 Sign up here

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
BuschKraft - The Dragonfly System is a versatile carving setup with interchangeable blades and affordable replacements, available as a single tool or a 3-handle, 8-blade Starter Kit. Get 15% off with code BKWHEELTALK26 at buschkraft.shop. Limit one use per customer. Cannot be combined with other discounts.

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 is joined by Heidi Fahrenbacher for a conversation about balancing growth, production, and sustainability while building a ceramics business. Prompted by listener questions about burnout, workflow, and scaling a pottery side hustle, they discuss structuring making schedules around kiln cycles, managing inventory and multiple sales channels, and recognizing when momentum is supported versus unsustainable. Together, they reflect on the realities of building a long-term creative business without letting every opportunity push the rest of life to a breaking point.

Maker of the Moment

• Rachael DePauw - @depauwpottery
• John Brown - @johnbrown.ceramics 

-----Find more about Heidi's business below-----
Instagram - @bellajoypottery
Website - bellajoypottery.com

📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email List
Get occasional updates, listener questions, book club picks, and giveaways from Wheel Talk.
👉 Sign up here

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
BuschKraft - The Dragonfly System is a versatile carving setup with interchangeable blades and affordable replacements, available as a single tool or a 3-handle, 8-blade Starter Kit. Get 15% off with code BKWHEELTALK26 at buschkraft.shop. Limit one use per customer. Cannot be combined with other discounts.

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

Replay Episode: In this replay, Ryan and Becca are joined by Tim See to discuss a range of topics including: workshops, selling at shows, social media, and more.

Ryan and Becca have a great time chatting today with Tim See from Tim See Ceramics. He is known for his robotic illustrative work, Facebook commentary in the Clay Buddies group, & hilarious personality. We cover such a wide range of topics across our 3 hours of discussion and it was such a fun ride. We hope you enjoy!

-----Find more about Tim's business below-----
Instagram - @timseeclay
Website - http://www.timseeceramics.com/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTkXls_DXtwl9f2lt5qmosw
Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/TimSeeClay/
Facebook groups
Beginners Throwing Class with Tim See
Tim's Pottery Sale Group
The Friendly Business of Clay

Resources
Ceramics Monthly Workshop Logistics - https://kiefferceramics.files.wordpress.com/2019/12/kieffer-workshop-logistics-2020-cm.pdf

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