In this episode, Ryan and Becca recap their time at the Michiana Pottery Tour before answer a few listener questions. Questions include handling commission inquiries and the best way to turn them down, business startup basics (registering a business name and setting up a bank account), and pricing for custom wholesale requests, like adding a stamped logo to mugs, and how to account for the extra work. We hope you enjoy!

Resources
Kohler Residency Program https://www.kohlercompany.com/social-impact/arts/
Wheel Talk #188 - Answering your tax questions with Jamie Boyack from Aloha Friday CPA

Listener Questions
On this episode:
- Hey Ryan & Becca! I would love to hear how you handle commission inquiries, and specifically when turning one down. Do you educate the customer on why? Help them understand the pottery process? Or is it better to keep it short and sweet? @moonlight_mud
- Hey guys! love your show! I was wondering if you have done a show going over a check list on business start up? things like registering a business name, setting up a business bank account and getting a EIN Tax number... If so can you tell me which Episode? thanks for all your help! Kelli Fahey @wild.whim.vt
- I’ve been asked to add a stamp to a wholesale mug order…I think I can do it without a sprig…just stamped into the mug maybe with underglaze in the recessed parts…maybe not. I was wondering how much you add to the price for these requests. @overbrookclay

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

In this episode, Ryan and Becca tackle a range of listener questions, offering valuable insights for potters with varied years of experience. They start by sharing their experience with mystery boxes—how many pieces to include, what types of pottery work well, and why they’re such a hit with customers. The discussion then shifts to kiln firing programs, where they weigh in on their preferred settings and how switching from default programs can elevate your work. A thoughtful question about the heat retention of glazed versus unglazed mugs sparks a conversation on the factors that influence functionality, from material to shape and thickness. To wrap up, they offer practical advice for managing inventory after shows and preparing for multi-day events, ensuring your booth and work stay in top shape.

Resources
https://www.mightysink.com/
https://manychat.com/
Etsy's Creativity Standards related to "mystery boxes"

Listener Questions
On this episode:
- I wondered if you could give more insight into mystery boxes. How many pieces do you put in them? What kinds of pieces? How much do you sell them for? And what’s the lure for the customer? I’m thinking of including a few in an upcoming show and wanted to see if you had any guidance. I know they’re a success for Ryan. Thank you as always for anything you can offer! @thepotterymason
- I was wondering if you guys have ever done an episode on kiln firing programs? I use the default on my L&L kiln (which I LOVE, btw), but I’m thinking of moving to a different one and would love to hear what you and Becca do. Cheers 🍻 @jelo.designs
- I had a customer email me a weird question about heat retention in my mugs. Basically, she used an unglazed mug at a hotel and liked the way it retained heat and asked if my glazed mug would be the same way. I asked a handful of potters and got a lot of eye rolling….because….realllllly??? And most expressed dismay at her drinking out of an unglazed pot. Anyway, I told her that I believe unglazed pottery has more even heat distribution, but I am not sure that affects retention. I also told her that the shape and thickness of the mug may also be a contributing factor. Any thoughts on this? Oh- then she emailed me back again and asked if I have ever tested the heat retention and how it compared to other mugs. Now, I am eye rolling! @selvageandbriar
- Do you have episodes on either of the following: 1. How to manage inventory after a show so it doesn’t take a week to open your online store back up? 2. I’m doing my first 2 day show. Do you have any suggestions? Do I leave everything out overnight? Pack up the pottery and displays and leave the tent? Etc. etc. etc. Thanks! @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

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 with a special episode all about #PotSwap2024, our 7th year hosting this global event! We’ve got some exciting changes this year, and we’re covering all the details in today’s episode.

Registration opens on Sunday, October 13th at 12 pm EDT and costs $5. It’s first come, first serve, with 1,000 spots for USA/Canada participants and 200 for international participants, so be sure to set a reminder! (We’ve shared a reminder in our Instagram stories @potswapofficial). If it's anything like past years, those spots will go fast!

We’re also joined by a fantastic group of clay friends who help us run Pot Swap smoothly every year. We’ve made a few small tweaks based on your feedback to keep the quality high. Thanks so much for your ongoing support!

Full details on our website at https://www.wheeltalkpotcast.com/potswap

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

In this episode, Ryan and Becca welcome Jackie Head, a ceramic artist based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jackie shares insights from her journey through her BFA at Indiana University Bloomington and her MFA at Alfred University, as well as her experiences in ceramics residencies. Now a working artist, Jackie discusses her large-scale installation projects, including those involving over 600 identical tiles. They dive into the challenges of pricing such jobs, managing time, maintaining communication with clients throughout the process, and working through challenges of the mold making and slip casting process. Jackie also reflects on balancing work and life during these intense, months-long projects. Stick around until the end to hear about her massive (nearly 20,000 square feet) project at the Indianapolis Airport!

-----Find more about Jackie's business below-----
Instagram - @jphead
Website - https://www.jackiehead.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

In this episode, Ryan and Becca catch up on Ryan's recent shows and his soda-firing workshop, while Becca shares details about her upcoming workshop. They also dive into a discussion on this year's sales trends so far. Later, they shift focus to the topic of the day: Ryan's recent struggles with a couple of problematic glazes. They explore potential causes behind the issues, brainstorm solutions, and discuss the steps Ryan plans to take to resolve them.

What would you do if...
you're making a batch of work and one of them doesn't cooperate? Do you fight it out or smash 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 and Becca welcome Delvin Goode of D Goode Art to share his creative evolution while balancing a military career the past 20+ years. We discuss his experience getting an MFA from Fort Hays State University while still serving before getting into his process as well, from blending wheel-thrown and slipcasting to his evolving use of mixed media. Since retiring, he's elevated his experience as a Speedball Professional Artist to work directly for Speedball in a product marketing role. Del offers more about his expectations when joining the team versus the reality of the role day-to-day at Speedball. Thanks to Del for joining us and we hope you enjoy our chat!

-----Find more about Delvin's business below-----
Instagram - @dgoodeart
All the things - https://linktr.ee/dgoodeart

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

Ryan and Becca return for another chapter of the podcast book club, diving into Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert. They’re joined by Taylor Swilley—voice actor by day, potter by night, and cat snuggler in between. Together, they explore key takeaways from the book, discuss thought-provoking concepts, and highlight areas that didn’t quite resonate.

Don't miss our next book recap on Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon, coming out on Saturday, November 9th.

A special thanks to Taylor for joining us and for recording the ads in today’s episode!

Resources
"Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear" by Elizabeth Gilbert (audiobook available on Libby)
"Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative" by Austin Kleon (e-book available on Libby)

-----Find more about Taylor's business below-----
Instagram - @backyardkiln
Website - https://backyardkiln.com/
Etsy - https://www.etsy.com/shop/BackyardKiln

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

Ryan and Becca are back to finish their chat with Aleatha Aiken-Sherrer. Aletha flips the interview a bit and starts asking the hosts questions as we get deeper into topics ranging from commission orders to developing a style to being prepared for a busy show schedule. Enjoy!

-----Find more about Aleatha's business below-----
Instagram - @aleathabean
Website - https://aleathabean.etsy.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aleathabean/
Wheel Talk #147 - Shooting the breeze with Aleatha from aleathabean

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 welcome back Aleatha Aiken-Sherrer from Aleathabean to chat on a range of topics. Aletha has some insights on using a cheap Amazon pottery wheel to sustain her business the past few years. We also get to hear more about how Aletha lives with Crohn's disease the past few years and how it impacts her business. Come back next week for the rest of our conversation.

-----Find more about Aleatha's business below-----
Instagram - @aleathabean
Website - https://aleathabean.etsy.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aleathabean/
Wheel Talk #147 - Shooting the breeze with Aleatha from aleathabean

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 and colored plastic bats 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 get into an interesting discussion sparked from a human psychology thought experiment Ryan had recently. We get into the weeds about the differences between those who are flexible focusers ("spaghetti brained") and priority focusers ("box brained"). The discussion ensues and provides some context to how both Ryan & Becca manage their businesses, relationships, and the world around them from this perspective. Enjoy!

Listener Questions
On this episode:
- Wholesale question? Is there a typical time range ur stores send u payment after you send them ur goods? We have a couple we really need to hound. We find it so counter to what they preach, “look at us, we are a store that supports artists.” But then don’t pay us promptly. We do depend on their orders though and don’t want to loose their business. @the_justuscollective
- When you deliver to your wholesale/ consignment customers, do you charge shipping and if you do, at what rate? (I deliver at no cost, but claim my gas for tax purposes. I only charge for shipping = mailing) @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
Smith Sharpe Refractory - Find out which Advancer Kiln Shelves are right for you at kilnshelf.com.
Speedball Ceramics - Check out their new underglaze formula and colored plastic bats 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