The Maker's Playbook

I think it’s a safe assumption to make that most of us enjoy sharing a story about how we made a piece we are particularly proud of. Or heck! We enjoy sharing a funny fail story about a flop on the wheel (once enough time has passed that we can laugh about it, of course). Now what if I told you that storytelling is actually all you need to do in order to sell your ceramics. My chat today with Naomi Clement is going to shed some light on how all sales really is, at least when done well and perhaps more naturally than your local used car guy - is simply storytelling. Which actually isn’t so bad. Episode Links: Loved this chat? Continue the conversation inside of The Community! Learn more here by clicking here. Sign up for Naomi's free webinar: Artist Statements 101. Save your spot here. Come say "hey!" on Instagram! @themakersplaybook Naomi's IG: @naomikclement Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook Have questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

Sometimes, making art can feel less important as we scroll through the news and battle with all that’s happening in the world. How can the things we make battle racism? How can a pot positively influence the needs of climate change? It sounds a little silly. Until we realize that culture is what changes the world. And art is uniquely linked to affecting culture and thus, change. Today’s guest, Kristina Batiste, creates minimalist ceramics that hold these huge subjects within their beauty and reminds me that the things we make can bring about the change we dream of. Links mentioned in this episode: Tacoma Pottery Salon: tacomapotterysalon.org Click here for the interview with Osa Atoe on Tales of a Red Clay Rambler and click here for Kristina’s website Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook Have questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

Doors to the Maker's Photography Styling System are once again open! But only for the next week. If taking better photos faster sounds like a dream, come learn how together we can make it a reality by clicking here: makersplaybook.com/mpss Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook Have questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

There are few things in life I find more encouraging than finding colleagues who understand your life. With all do respect to our supportive loved ones, there’s just something different about the depth of conversation you can have with another person who understands how heartbreaking it can be when you bump that perfectly trimmed bowl you’ve been working on for days off the shelf or how thrilling it can be to sell your first pot. Only the people doing these same things really feel the same depth of those feelings with us. And if it wasn’t obvious from Part One of my chat with Lisa & David of Dault Pottery, when I get a chance to connect with others who are building their life in ways similar to my own, I’ll chat for hours. So we’re back for Part Two, which really only ended because the kiddos made us! BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: We're hosting our FREE Live Webinar on the 4 Most Common Instagram Photography Mistakes (and how to avoid them) once more this year and just in time for all of that holiday shop update prep! Save your seat here: makersplaybook.com/instagram-photography/ Guest Resources: The Dault's Instagram - @daultpottery Website - https://daultpottery.com/ Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook Have questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

When I hear people talk about boundaries and cutting back on work hours and all of that beautiful sounding work/life balance stuff, I assume the person preaching this has already reached a certain point of success. I think to myself, “Well, of course you can cut back on your work hours now. You already have -insert whatever- going for you, so it's safe to slow down." But what if the very reason for launching your small business in the first place was in service of building an un-hurried lifestyle? I've said many, many times that we must choose our lives first and build our businesses around them, second, but I didn't figure that out until I messed up the order with my first business. On this episode of the Maker's Playbook, Lisa & David Dault share how they are ruthlessly eliminating hurry from their freshly full-time pottery business right from the very beginning. BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: We're hosting our FREE Live Webinar on the 4 Most Common Instagram Photography Mistakes (and how to avoid them) once more this year and just in time for all of that holiday shop update prep! Save your seat here: makersplaybook.com/instagram-photography/ Guest Resources: The Dault's Instagram - @daultpottery Website - https://daultpottery.com/ Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook Have questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

A lot of the time, we think about the benefits of in-person markets solely related to the sales we do on the specific day(s) of the market. But what if you thought a little bit more strategically? This week’s guest shares how she’s approaching selling at markets as a means of direct market research for who her ideal customer just might be… or not be. Guest Resources: Yvonne's Instagram - @_yvonnerausch Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook Have questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

In this 3rd installment of "The Launch" series, I'm comparing the dynamics between small markets and multi-day art fairs, shedding light on the energy and small bit of acting skills needed for face-to-face sales. As made clear by so many past interviews here on the podcast, there is a huge value to the direct conversations we can have at markets for understanding our potential customers' interests, but the thing that might come as a massive surprise to everyone is in this episode, I'm challenging the concept of the "ideal customer" and what that really means for building a small business. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook Have questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

Most of the time, when I talk with other makers about taking the leap to go full time, we talk about the logistical things - having a bit of savings put away in case of emergency, understanding your numbers to make sure the pricing can support your necessities, getting an email list going in order to have ownership over your audience, etc. etc. etc. And while these things are indeed important, the unsung workhorse of being able to make a living from the things you make - the thing that often is the difference between keeping a business afloat or not, the thing that carries most of us through the uncertainty isn’t a spreadsheet or new planning journal. It’s our mindset. Battling the ups and downs of all that’s happening in our heads, particularly when it comes to feelings of scarcity - that - spoiler alert - social media is essentially built to enhance - is actually what Tzipporah and I wind up talking about amidst sharing the realities of her life as a mom of 4 with a self-employed husband as well! If you love this episode, will you please click over to subscribe/follow and leave us a review on whatever podcast app you are using to listen? Thanks in advance!! Guest Resources: Tzipporah on Instagram - @sipor.ceramics Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook Have questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

A 4 day work week… it’s the thing of dreams. And, according to many many studies I’ve read about in many books, actually highly linked to better productivity and all sorts of other very business-savvy things that only a fool would say no to. But in all of those books I’ve read, the examples have been from companies that had teams. So it was very easy to tell myself excuse after excuse of why it could clearly work for a team, but not work so well for us solo-preneurs, or itty bitty businesses trying to do the work of 10 people while only being one person . That is, until I saw a post by Julie Cloutier on Instagram, where she was celebrating her one year anniversary of a 4 day work week... If you are enjoying The Maker’s Playbook podcast, would you consider clicking on over inside of whatever podcast app you are using to leave us a rating and review? Doing so will help spread the word we exist and allow more makers to enjoy these stories as well! Guest Resources: Julie's Instagram - @jgcloutier Website - www.cloutierceramics.com Substack - https://clayfulness.substack.com/ Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook Have questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

Episode 2 of the special The Launch series! This week I reflect on our first in-person market experience - just 6 short days after it happened. So yes, I'm still tired. :) We also have some insightful questions from our Community members as our framework for this review on the highs and lows of our first market. If you want to see the visuals from the market (including the booth setup and our most popular items we sold), come visit our ceramics Instagram account @carra.terra. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook Have questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

Have you ever wanted to be a fly on the wall while someone else starts a ceramics business? From the very beginning? Well, you’re in luck! In this new series - The Launch - I’m sharing (in as real-time as I can) the reality of what it’s like for Francesco and I to start our pottery business, Carra Terra. First up, what the last 2 years of twists and turns, starts and pauses, has been like and how that’s brought us to this summer of going all in on in-person markets. Spoiler: This episode airs one week before our very first in-person market. I’m guessing you’ll be able to hear the nerves through your headphones. If you are going through all of this yourself and want to dig deeper on these conversations, come join me and over 60 other makers from all over the world inside of The Community. You can learn more about what this amazing space on the internet is by visiting makersplaybook.com/community. Becoming a member not only welcomes you into an amazing group of makers and colleagues celebrating the great successes with each other as well as supporting each other on the not so great days, your membership also helps with the creation of this very podcast. If you want to see the visuals from the market (including the booth setup and our most popular items we sold), come visit our ceramics Instagram account @carra.terra. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook Have questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

Commissions… I feel like it’s a four letter word when I talk to some potters. You see them physically tense up and take a deep breath ready to do battle with a fire breathing dragon. And I’ve always been a little bit confused by this because I kind of like them. Just add it to the list of the ways that it makes me a bit of a black sheep in the art world. You can slot it right next to my love of systems and routine and willingness to talk about marketing and sales. But I digress… When I sat down with Micah Schedler I thought we’d mostly chat about how he’s balancing working as a health professional in nursing as well as having 2 little kids and launching a brand new website - I didn’t know we’d share a joy of the efficiency of commissions and that’s actually where he hopes to focus most of his business. But hang with us here. If you are already rolling your eyes, thinking “No way, Rebecca. I tried it once and it was a mess. I’ll never do a commission again.” Before you click the next button, just give us maybe 10 minutes to see if Micah’s controlled approach to how he makes commissions work best for him - amidst the sleep deprivation of toddlers and working another job - might help you re-think this often annoying request… We have some exciting brainstorming happening inside of The Community right now around extra perks for our members in relation to this very podcast! Everything from announcing our members shop update in our weekly newsletter (you can sign up for that newsletter here if you are interested!), to getting our Community members a sneak peek on upcoming podcast interviews so they are able to ask questions of our guests in advance. If you’ve been curious about The Community and want to join in this brainstorming, come test it out with a 2-week free trial by visiting makersplaybook.com/community and let me know what podcast perks you’d love to have! Guest Resources: Micah on Instagram - @schedlerpottery Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook Have questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

Do you feel like the time you spent in a previous career (or a current one) is just pulling you away from moving forward in clay? But have you ever considered that the “background knowledge” you have gained from other life experiences is actually part of creating your unique voice and style as an artist? In this week’s episode, Larissa Warren of Rat Bag Studios and I discuss how her previous career as a teacher directly influences her current work, how the connections and background knowledge she gained while in that career directly support her recent jump into being a full-time studio potter and how the literal background knowledge of the medium you are working in is crucial to actually making the work. While so many of us scour the internet for quick and easy answers to what another artist uses for clay or glaze, what material do they make those stencils out of and how do you (insert whatever unique style skill here)... Larissa points out that maybe the key to figuring out all of those questions is actually found within the trial & error that comes with gaining the background knowledge of the process in the first place. If you are looking to continue this discussion, come join other makers inside of The Community. Learn more and see if this is the right supportive place for you on the internet by visiting: makersplaybook.com/community Guest Resources: Larissa Warren on Instagram - @ratbagstudios Rag Bag Studios Website - ratbagstudios.com Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook Have questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

My chat this week with Gloria Han opens up so many bit and important conversations (spoiler: this means, there’s going to be a part two!). From getting into education because of a passion for teaching (rather than it being the automatic route after graduate school as it is for so many), to balancing contemporary work with traditional making practices, and encouraging new artists to consider the wisdom of generations of knowledge before defaulting to the overused excuse of there being “no wrong way to make something.” Gloria’s teaching practice and her making practice are intrinsically linked - one informing the other and also each allowing the space for the other passion to be nurtured without the push of capitalism to make work that’s easy to sell. If you are looking for a way to continue these conversions in a way that can happen faster than I can produce new episodes, while also discovering an amazing group of colleagues that support one another on this journey - whether hobbyists or side-hustlers or full-timers. Beginners or long-time makers - you might just want to check out The Community. It’s our online home and my personal favorite place on the internet, but I’m obviously bias. You can learn more and hear about the experiences of other makers that are not me, and far less bias, by visiting makersplaybook.com/community Guest Resources: Gloria Han on Instagram - @gloriahanart Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook Have questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

When I sat down with Paul Blais of the Potter's Cast and a packed room of fellow makers at NCECA, we hit upon a lot of business subjects. Frankly, just one of the questions he threw my way could have been its own entire episode. So today I’m expanding on a few of those subjects in this solo episode. If there are still questions you had from that chat, send me over an email at podcast@makers-playbook.com and I’ll queue up another follow up episode as well! Because if there was one way to sum it alllllll up, it’s that just about every decision when it comes to your own business - whether a side-hustle on the nights and weekends or a full-time gig - nearly every decision you are going to have to make is interconnected to every other decision. Click Here to learn more about how you can receive support from other makers all over the world as part of our Community here at The Maker's Playbook. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook Have questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

When I say “making a living” what do you think I mean? Do you immediately think of income and how much money you make? Or do you think of how you spend your time? Do you think of the balance between working hours and leisure hours? I don’t think there is one particularly correct answer, but on this episode of The Maker’s Playbook, our guest, Danny Meisinger does put this phrase into some very helpful perspective for those of us trying to figure out the financial side alongside the dream life of being a full-time potter in the 21st century. If you are dreaming that same dream, or even just curious about what it’s actually like to make a living from what you make, this episode is for you. See Danny’s work on Instagram @dannymeisinger Support & learn from Danny at his Patreon by clicking here. If you are looking for your own network of clay colleagues to support you in figuring out how to make a living (or a side-hustle!) from the things you make, consider checking out The Community. Membership also directly supports the creation of this very podcast. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook Have questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

It’s our final replay week! Season 4 starts out next week, with someone who has been on my personal bucket list to interview for quite a long time. Before that though! Our final replay of one of the most popular conversations from last year - with someone who I have absolutely loved watch grow over the last two years. Jackie Wright was one of the inaugural members of my very first cohort for The Maker’s Photography Styling System. And frankly, she’s worked that system better than I even do, if her Instagram following presence is anything to show for it. While this episode was originally titled "How you can still organically grow on Instagram in 2022," these tips and insights absolutely still hold true today. What also still holds true is the fact that I will once again be hosting a new cohort of The Maker's Photography Styling System! When exactly... is not yet determined, although it will be this year. If you want to find out when doors are scheduled to open, as soon as I have my calendar confirmed, be sure to pop your email onto our waitlist at makersplaybook.com/waitlist (Waitlisters always get first opportunity at reserving their seats in the course, which has nearly sold out the last 2 times we've hosted it!) Guest Details: Jackie Wright's Instagram Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook Have questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

While I take a long overdue break from the screens, we're replaying some of our most popular episodes! At the end of this original episode I reference The Community - our online home for makers. One of the coolest things about The Community (aside from being an amazingly supportive group of makers from all over the world rooting each other on and joining together to creatively brainstorm around the myriad of problems we all have to find solutions to), is that the doors are always open! So while this episode originally aired back in June of 2022, you can come learn more and even take a peek inside The Community to see what it's all about, risk free, no matter what day (or year!) you are listening to this. Learn more at makersplaybook.com/community (Bonus: Becoming a member helps support the creation of this very podcast!) Guest Details: John Britt's Instagram Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook Have questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

While I take a long overdue break from the screens, we're replaying some of our most popular episodes! And it’s no wonder these 4 episodes are some of our most listened to over the last year, because as I compiled them, I realized they are all on topics that really never end… Just as I mentioned in our Live taping at NCECA (episode 335 in case you were curious), one of the most unexpected things about being a business owner is that you essentially are always in a cycle - it’s a cycle of exploration, followed by trial and error, following by learning and implementing, and then restarting again with exploration. Sometimes, that exploration is about discovering what we each personally need to take good care of ourselves. What better episode to revisit while I work on listening to my own advice... Guest Details: Nicole Dacey's Instagram Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook Have questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

While I take a long overdue break from the screens, we're replaying some of our most popular episodes! In the original episode, I referenced our 6-week photography course specifically for potters: The Maker's Photography Styling System. I'll be hosting this course again this year, but I don't quite know the exact dates just yet. If you are curious about it and want to be the first to find out when doors open again, be sure to pop your email address onto the Waitlist by clicking here: makersplaybook.com/waitlist Guest Details: Curt Hammerly's Instagram Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook Have questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com