#240 - Mobile studios

Ryan & Becca are joined today by Melanie Westheiden from Swell Ceramics. Melanie shares about her business’ evolution from a home studio to brick and mortar, preparing for the holiday season, setting boundaries on Instagram, & shifting her body of work. Thanks so much to Melanie for taking the time to share with all of us.

-----Find more about Melanie’s business below-----
Instagram - @swellceramics
Website - https://www.swellceramics.com/

Listener Questions
On this episode:
- Do y’all have any insight on making passive income (stickers/merch) for your pottery business? Is it worth the time and money, or is it a complete waste? My pieces take an insane amount of time to create, but I don’t want to make plain ol’ mugs or pieces out of the fear I’ll lose my audience. So I was looking at possibly going the merch route. Any advice? Hopefully this makes sense! @punchypottery

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 wheeltalkpodcast@gmail.com.

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 & Becca are back together once again and this week we're talking mobile studios! We received a question about the viability of using a mobile studio in a trailer, van, etc to assist in teaching small kid classes and selling at shows from it. Becca's insights may surprise you on this one. Thanks for the question Lilly!

Listener Questions
On this episode:
- I have been trying to get a little more consistency in my drying. Currently I have a rack that is taped up with plastic but occasionally still have some cracking issues that are due to parts drying faster than others. My question is what is an optimal humidity level for drying, and or temperature? @roycroftron
- What do you think of mobile studios? I have researched this somewhat and have seen a few examples of teardrop camper studios, food truck studios parked on a small plot of land, teaching studios in a bus or van, etc. I already really hate dragging all of my stuff to shows in a small-sized SUV, and I’m only a baby potter. I’m super jealous of the flower lady who has a cute, tiny truck at the farmers markets to sell from. People LOVE her setup. I also haul all my stuff back and forth to teach kids classes. Becca, have you ever worked out of your van selling/teaching? Would a mobile studio be a good idea as a business investment vs. a brick and mortar shop when you can’t teach at home?  Do you know any potters with mobile studios? Maybe a mobile studio would come with its own costs and restrictions. Would appreciate any insight you might have on mobile studios! @tuliptreetales

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 wheeltalkpodcast@gmail.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 - Check out their newest line of Mid-Fire glazes at speedballart.com and see them in-person at NCECA 2024 at booth #208 in Richmond, VA.

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 today by Sara Davis from Golden Earth Designs. Sara shares about her process of making custom wholesale mugs, selling full time the past year, getting back to production after the holidays, and clay buttons! Thanks so much to Sara for sharing some time to chat about her work and business.

-----Find more about Sara's business below-----
Instagram - @goldenearthdesigns
Etsy - https://goldenearthdesigns.etsy.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 wheeltalkpodcast@gmail.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 - Check out their newest line of Mid-Fire glazes at speedballart.com and see them in-person at NCECA 2024 at booth #208 in Richmond, VA.

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 Em (Paz) Stevens to the show to discuss balancing a full time job in the service industry and part time pottery. We get into how her business did in 2023, how she's building out her home studio, funding the build through Kickstarter, setting realistic business goals, and digging into Etsy shop advice. Thanks again to Em for sharing her time with us.

-----Find more about Em's business below-----
Instagram - @pazfuldesigns
Website - https://www.pazfuldesigns.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pazfuldesigns
Etsy - https://pazfuldesignsstudio.etsy.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 wheeltalkpodcast@gmail.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 - Check out their newest line of Mid-Fire glazes at speedballart.com and see them in-person at NCECA 2024 at booth #208 in Richmond, VA.

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 Em (Paz) Stevens to the show to discuss balancing a full time job in the service industry and part time pottery. Em has a number of questions for us, especially related to how Ryan was able to sell $95k worth of work in a year that averages $35 while selling "part time." We cover a number of topics on this first installment of this chat with Em and we're grateful for her sharing some time with us.

-----Find more about Em's business below-----
Instagram - @pazfuldesigns
Website - https://www.pazfuldesigns.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pazfuldesigns
Etsy - https://pazfuldesignsstudio.etsy.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 wheeltalkpodcast@gmail.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 - Check out their newest line of Mid-Fire glazes at speedballart.com and see them in-person at NCECA 2024 at booth #208 in Richmond, VA.

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 to chatting just the two of them on today's episode. Most of the discussion involves updating everyone about their busy lives the past few weeks before getting into their time at Clay Con West this January. It was another great year spent with new and old friends and we hope to see you at NCECA 2024 in Richmond, Virginia or next year for Clay Con West 2025 in Saint George, Utah.

Join Ryan's upcoming workshop:
Bookkeeping Workshop with Ryan - Feb 10

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 wheeltalkpodcast@gmail.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 - Check out their newest line of Mid-Fire glazes at speedballart.com and see them in-person at NCECA 2024 in Richmond, VA.

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 Joshua Reed from Wellness with Joshua to talk how we can ensure our bodies can hold up long-term as potters and small business owners. Joshua has a varied background in physical therapy, biomechanics, physical training, nutrition coaching, and more to share his expertise with us for long term body care as potters. We hope you get value from our discussion and please let us know what you'd like to hear from Joshua if we have him back in the future.

-----Find more about Joshua’s business below-----
Instagram - @wellnesswithjoshua
Website - https://www.wellnesswithjoshua.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wellnesswithjoshua/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKPQl2fekxd9TXnUtkoWNsg

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 wheeltalkpodcast@gmail.com.

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

Ryan and Becca welcome back Will Donovan of Donovan Pottery to discuss a range of topics, including: sharing end of year recaps, growing your business with help, using paid ads to sell your work, and geeking out on Lord of the Rings. We learn a ton from Will's second time on the podcast and we hope you take some good nuggets into your own practice.

Previous episode with Will
Wheel Talk #181 - Meeting customer demand with Will Donovan of Donovan Pottery

-----Find more about Will’s business below-----
Instagram - @donovanpottery
Website - https://www.donovanpottery.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/donovanpottery/
Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@donovanpots
Clay King - https://www.clay-king.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 wheeltalkpodcast@gmail.com.

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

Ryan & Becca share insights about what they look for when seeking out workshop opportunities to expand their skills. We also share what valuable takeaways we typically come away with once we’re leaving a workshop.

Join Becca or Ryan at a future workshop they are teaching soon:
Throwing Efficiency with Becca - Jan 10
Selling at In-Person Shows with Ryan - Jan 25
Bookkeeping Workshop with Ryan - Jan 29 & Feb 10
Throwing Oil Bottles with Ryan - Apr 10

What would you do if…
a more famous ceramicist copied one of your designs.

Listener Questions
On this episode:
- What product or what system do you use to package and ship your pottery? I believe I heard Amy Brummond’s episode where both Amy and Ryan mentioned they used the ram pack system. I’ve been looking for a good packaging system and I was wondering where you purchased it. @kevinsceramics

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 wheeltalkpodcast@gmail.com.

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