Wheel Talk

Ryan & Becca are joined by Mike from Mike Griffin Ceramics and the Between Two Ewers podcast to chat about the difference between capital ‘P’ and lowercase ‘p’ potters, Ryan’s day job, bisque mug butts, mid-range soda workshops, and more. Catch the video version on YouTube via Between Two Ewers.

-----Find more about Mike's business and podcast below-----
Instagram - @mike_griffin_ceramics & @betweentwoewers
YouTube - Between Two Ewers
Website - Mike Griffin Ceramics

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 sits down with Heidi Fahrenbacher to dive into the world of email marketing and how potters can make the most of their mailing lists. They also chat about time management strategies and the ongoing challenge of balancing productivity with creativity. Plus, they touch on the overwhelm that comes with managing all the moving pieces of a pottery business.

Maker of the Moment

• Carter Pasma - @cartersclay
• Julia - @uglyduckpottery

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

Listeners Questions
On this episode:

• How do people learn all of this stuff without going brain dead? @tuliptreetales

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 dive into the ups and downs of running their pottery businesses, sharing experiences from craft shows, strategies for managing busy seasons, and the nitty-gritty of pottery production. They swap tips on choosing the right art markets, keeping inventory in check, and making sure the hustle stays fun (and profitable). Plus, they chat about kiln maintenance, booth setups, and what makes different pottery events worth the effort.

Maker of the Moment

• Oliver Estes - @estes.ceramics
• Donna Craven - @donnacravenpottery

Listeners Questions
On this episode:

• How many markets to do over Christmas so you don’t burn out? @shawn_reid_pottery

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

Ryan and Isaac Shue discuss preparations for Gallery Mostasa's spring show, covering pottery production, glaze techniques, and marketing. They dive into ceramic decals for customization, along with pricing strategies, custom order challenges, and future plans for wholesale mug production.

Maker of the Moment

• Austin Riddle @austinriddlepottery
• Nathan Bray - @braypottery

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

Listeners Questions
On this episode:

• Do you gravitate to certain glaze colors? @ceramics_bymargaret
• Your own website or Etsy as a newbie? @shawn_reid_pottery

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

Ryan and Becca discussed the pros and cons of running a side business versus full-time self-employment, emphasizing the importance of routines and boundaries. They also touched on financial planning, upcoming events, and the differences between working solo and in a team environment.

Maker of the Moment

• Em Gabriel - @emgabrielart
• Ray Brown - @rlbrown1995

Listeners Questions
On this episode:

• When using underglaze, do you prefer to paint on greenware, or do you paint on bisque? Are there advantages both ways? What are your tips for clean lines when using another color on top of a base color? @thistlemoorpottery

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

Ryan & Becca are back with another Q&A episode! They answer a range of questions from wedging tables to storing your inventory efficiently to developing new product lines. Thanks to everyone who continues to send us questions on Instagram and by email!

Maker of the Moment

• Sara Tolbert - @saratolbertceramics
• Preston Tolbert - @preston.tolbert
• Eric Beavers - @ericbeaverspottery

Resources
The Complete Guide to Low-Fire Glazes for Potters and Sculptors by Ben Carter

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 fourth chapter of the podcast book club, diving into Profit First by Mike Michalowicz. Joined once again by Taylor Swilley, they explore key takeaways and connect the book’s themes to their own businesses. They also discussed various aspects of business management, including client relationships, debt management, and employee management, and considered implementing the profit-first accounting method. 

Our next book club selection is Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland with plans to release the episode in May. See all the books we've covered on Becca's Amazon list at https://amzn.to/3X5yZOX

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

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 Speedball Boss Base tool to open your wheel thrown work consistently and with ease, now available in pink and purple to match their plastic bats. 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 & Becca are joined by Layla Lynn, also known as the Mug Maiden, a passionate ceramic mug collector with an impressive collection of over 700 pieces. Layla shares her love for handmade ceramics and dives into her experiences within the ceramics community, from building relationships with artists to buying and unboxing handmade work. They also discuss packaging practices, the potential for exhibiting collections, and a unique fundraising initiative Layla is currently pursuing. Plus, she highlights her "Makers of the Moment," showcasing some of her favorite artists.

-----Find more about Layla's business below-----
Instagram - @themugmaiden
Mystery Mug Giveaway - https://msha.ke/themugmaiden

Maker of the Moment

• Ryoko Rio - @ryokoceramics
• Leo - @northernghost.studios
• Marret Metzger - @marretmetzger

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 Speedball Boss Base tool to open your wheel thrown work consistently and with ease, now available in pink and purple to match their plastic bats. 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 & Becca chat with Deanna Poelsma from Glazed & Confused Creations about the art and business of ceramic jewelry. They discuss clay types, firing processes, tools, and materials for crafting and displaying ceramic jewelry. Deanna shares insights on booth setup, marketing strategies, and equipment for powering lights at craft fairs. They also explore the challenges and rewards of selling handmade jewelry and tips for standing out in a competitive market.

-----Find more about Deanna's business below-----
Instagram - @glazedconfusedcreations
Website - https://www.glazedconfusedcreations.com/
Virtual Jewelry Making Workshop - https://www.siporceramics.com/virtual-classes/p/ceramic-jewelry
Wheel Talk #208 - Optimizing your show applications with Deanna Poelsma from Glazed & Confused Creations

Maker of the Moment

• Kara Lovell - @karalovellceramics
• Charity Rust-Jordan - @crj.artwork
• Lori Elling - @lori.elling.ceramics

Resources
Kiln Management and Repair with Becca Otis - February 12th at 1pm EST
Sign up for one of Ryan's upcoming bookkeeping workshops

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 Speedball Boss Base tool to open your wheel thrown work consistently and with ease, now available in pink and purple to match their plastic bats. 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 are joined by Kara Leigh Ford, a potter based in the United Kingdom, to discuss her journey from a full-time career in marketing to building a thriving pottery business. Kara shares her insights on pricing handmade ceramics, selling at markets, and navigating online sales. They also dive into the realities of running a pottery studio, from workspace setup and workflow to shipping logistics. The conversation explores Kara’s approach to Patreon, her evolving relationship with social media, and how she balances growth with authenticity. Plus, they discuss her newest book, The Essential Pottery Notebook, available now in the US and Canada and coming soon to the UK and Australia.

-----Find more about Kara’s business below-----
Instagram - @karaleighceramics
Website - https://karaleighfordceramics.com/
Books - The Essential Pottery Notebook, Pottery For Beginners
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/karaleighceramics
Kara's husband's band - https://www.youngmartyrs.com/

Maker of the Moment

• Lanecia Rouse - @larartstudio
• Be rose - @clay.by.be
• Lucy Be - @Lucy_be.ceramics

Resources
Kiln Management and Repair with Becca Otis - February 12th at 1pm EST
Sign up for one of Ryan's upcoming bookkeeping workshops

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