Wheel Talk

In this episode, Ryan shares his recent visit to Isaac Shue's gallery opening in Kansas and offers practical advice on building and maintaining a soda kiln—including materials, costs, and construction tips. He also discusses upcoming pottery workshops, sourcing studio equipment, and the value of sharing knowledge within the ceramics community.

Resources
Sign up for Ryan's soda workshop

Maker of the Moment

• Maddie Sawatzky - @maddiemadepottery
• Becky - @hawthorn_ceramics

Listener Questions
On this episode:

• I'm looking for advice on wholesale-ing. Specifically, how to approach a brick and mortar or online business with my ceramics. What are the must do's/haves -samples, line sheets, photographs? How best to be prepared to make a positive impression? Would love to hear from a small business on what makes them want to sell an artists goods. @YKSceramics
• What is the best way to afford building a soda kiln like Ryan's?@coolguy_charlie

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

In this episode, Becca opens up about her recent transition into a new job and the mental health challenges that came with it. She shares her experience stepping away from pottery and social media, reflecting on how that break impacted her creativity, identity, and personal relationships. Ryan joins the conversation with thoughtful questions about Becca’s evolving work life, her approach to personal growth, and the strategies she’s using to support her mental and physical well-being. We're grateful to Becca for sharing with such honesty and vulnerability.

Maker of the Moment

• Michael Millam - @mikenightmare
• Jared Zehmer - @jared.zehmer.pottery

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

Ryan and Becca return for the fifth chapter of the podcast book club, diving into Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland. Joined once again by Taylor Swilley, they unpack key takeaways and reflect on how the book’s themes resonate with their own creative practices and businesses.

Our next book club selection is Boy in a China Shop: Life, Clay and Everything by Keith Brymer Jones with plans to release the episode in July or August. See all the books we've covered on Becca's Amazon list at https://amzn.to/3X5yZOX

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
Speedball Ceramics - Try the new mid-fire glazes, artist-collaboration plastic bats, and browse their wide selection of products at speedballart.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

In this episode, Ryan and Becca dive into the nitty-gritty of participating in art shows—from understanding different fee structures to handling logistics and boosting your profits. They break down common models, including flat booth fees, low table fees with commissions, and hybrid setups. Plus, stick around for a listener question about surviving rainy art shows and drying out your work and display afterwards.

Maker of the Moment

• Meredith Bradley - @cityinbloomceramics
• Rachel DePauw - @depauwpottery

Listeners Questions
On this episode:

• Do you have any practices for when you come home from a show and EVERYTHING is soaked? It rained the entire show, from set up to load out. How would you dry everything out? Also, how would you manage keeping everything as dry as possible during the setup and tear down of your booth?  @lifer_studios

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

Speedball Ceramics - Try the new mid-fire glazes, artist-collaboration plastic bats, and browse their wide selection of products 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

Ryan & Becca welcome back Heidi Fahrenbacher of Bella Joy Pottery to catch up on her new studio build and share advice on a few business topics. They dive into Ryan’s current work hours and revenue from pottery as a side hustle, and how tracking these metrics can offer valuable insights for your own business. The conversation also covers Etsy sales strategies and tips for providing great customer service. Lastly, Becca proposes an interesting challenge for the group.

Maker of the Moment

• Autumn McKay - @_autumnmckay
• Shelley Dean - @shellbellartstudio
• Megs LeVesseur - @megslevesseurceramics

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

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
Speedball Ceramics - Try the new mid-fire glazes, artist-collaboration plastic bats, and browse their wide selection of products at speedballart.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

Ryan and Becca catch up on recent life updates and share what’s on the horizon for Ryan’s upcoming shows. They also dive into ideas for spring show inventory, discussing functional and decorative forms that are popular this time of year, plus a few seasonal items to keep in mind for later in the year.

Maker of the Moment

• Maritza Leon @the.introverted.potter
• Dani Chevalier @asketchypotteryshop

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

Speedball Ceramics - Try the new mid-fire glazes, artist-collaboration plastic bats, and browse their wide selection of products at speedballart.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

Ryan and Becca are joined by Jody Lewis of Good Wheel Ceramics, a Canadian potter whose journey from hobbyist to full-time artist is as thoughtful as his work. Jody shares how he incorporates jiggering and jollying techniques into his process and reflects on what it's been like balancing his growing pottery business alongside his partner’s demanding career as an ER doctor. The conversation also explores his future plans for expanding the studio with the help of an assistant. A big thanks to Jody for joining us and sharing his story!

Maker of the Moment

• Sandy Harquail @sandyharquail
• Asahi So @morningsun_s
• Risa Hricovsky @risa.hricovsky

-----Find more about Jody's business below-----
Instagram - @goodwheelceramics
Website - https://www.goodwheelceramics.com/

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

Speedball Ceramics - Try the new mid-fire glazes, artist-collaboration plastic bats, and browse their wide selection of products 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

Ryan and Becca welcome back Tzipporah Schvarcz of Sipor Ceramics for her third appearance to dive into the ins and outs of hosting and teaching pottery workshops, both in-person and online. They explore marketing strategies, pricing, the rise of virtual summits, and how workshop formats have evolved. Plus, they reflect on recent NCECA experiences and teaching approaches.

Maker of the Moment

• Feldi @feldistudios
• Jon Stein @jsteinpottery
• Mostly Kosher @mostlykosher

-----Find more about Tzipporah's business below-----
Instagram - @sipor.ceramics
Website - https://www.siporceramics.com/

Listeners Questions
On this episode:

• How do you decide when to host a workshop, what kind of information do you include, and how do you go about setting a timeframe for it? I’m definitely interested in giving it a shot, but don’t really know where to start. Any advice or info is greatly appreciated! @punchypottery
• I know you’ve had episodes about teaching online workshops, and Becca’s talked about going other places to teach, but have you ever done an episode about hosting workshops in your own studio? I know it’s something the Beale’s, JH Pottery, and even Danny Meisinger do. I’m both an Art Teacher and potter of over 8 years and I have a larger home studio now, so I’d like to start teaching my own classes. I’m looking for advice on getting started, what classes work well for others, marketing, how much to charge, and just all the things. I’m planning to start hosting handbuilding classes and private throwing lessons first until I know there’s an interest before I invest in more wheels. @anniemargieceramics

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

Ryan and Becca share highlights from their recent trip to Salt Lake City for the annual NCECA pottery conference. They dive into the highs and lows of the experience, explore practical ways to navigate the costs of attending, and reflect on what they’d do differently next time. Whether you’re a seasoned conference-goer or planning your first NCECA, this episode offers insight, tips, and a candid look behind the scenes.

Maker of the Moment

• Scott Jones - @sj_ceramics
• Carrol Harris - @carolharris9111

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - Easiest Kilns to Install, Use, and Maintain. 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

Ryan is back with Isaac Shue to share practical tips for pricing pottery, creating effective displays, and making the most of art fairs and festivals. They also talk through website strategy, studio expansion, and the challenges of balancing a creative business with life’s demands—all while answering listener questions along the way.

Maker of the Moment

• Charlotte Grenier @ateliergrenier
• Kate Marotz @kate.marotz 

-----Find more about Isaac's business below-----
Instagram - @isaacshueisart & @gallery.mostaza

Listeners Questions
On this episode:

• I have a website where I list my craft shows coming up, and have a place to list my brick and mortars that I sell out of. Would you also list the wholesale shops that purchase your work? I've been hesitant to do this, since I don't set the retail prices that they sell my items at, but thinking that this could be beneficial for all parties @bowledoverceramics
• How about deciding which forms you want to make for markets. Maybe comparing types of markets and different forms that sell fast? What has worked best for you two. @GreenCabinPottery

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