The Maker's Playbook

Having a collector buy our work... It sounds… amazing! Awe-inspiring? Relieving? Luxurious. All of the above really. But how does it even happen? During the 2024 NCECA conference, Coalescence, held in Richmond, VA I sat down with Peter Beasecker and Louise Rosenfield to chat about their perspectives as maker and collector on how building relationships with collectors begins and how we might each be able to consider fostering our own. Love this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. 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

“Etsy vs. Your own website. Which is better?” It’s a question I see asked online endlessly. I see the responses fought over just as endlessly. But is it really an either/or? We dig into that on this next installment of our “The Launch” series - where I dig into the firsthand experiences Francesco & I are having in starting our own ceramics business. Spoiler - We’re using both Etsy and our own website, because there are pros and cons to both. And it’s those pros & cons we discuss in this episode so you can make the decision that’s right for you. Start back at the beginning of The Launch series by clicking here. If you find you are still overwhelmed by it all, the place deeper conversations are happening with supportive makers from all over the world is inside of our virtual home - The Community. Click here to join now and be a part of the Instagram Masterclass happening on April 25th (or to get the recording if you are seeing this after April 25th!). Love this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. 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

I know I'm not the only one who finds social media to be exhausting. The idea of keeping up with trends sounds equivalent to nails on a chalkboard to me. But at the same time, I know there is a huge opportunity on social media. After all, Instagram alone has 2 billion users. Enter Allie Mason. A data-based marketing strategist who understands that us solo-preneurs and small independent businesses don’t necessarily have the time (or the desire) to be spending all of our time keeping up with the ever changing world of social media. What Allie teaches focuses on using social media for what it can do for us all to grow our businesses, but not having it be our businesses. And I love it so much we're bringing Allie into The Community for a very special Masterclass specifically for makers on April 25th! This Masterclass is open to Community members only. To gain access, join The Community by clicking here. Guest Resources: Allie Mason's Instagram - with @thatalliemason Resources - https://bio.site/thatalliemason Love this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. 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

On this week’s episode I talk with founding Community member, Connie Cole, about her winding path to becoming a full-time potter. We discuss her battle with imposter syndrome, what finding a “gateway drug” has done for her business and the assault on creativity she’s experienced over time (and of course, how she’s battling against it!) Interested in joining other makers from all over the world in a safe & supportive environment online? Come check out The Community by clicking here. Guest Resources: Connie Cole's Instagram - @twocentsceramics Resources - https://twocentsceramics.com/ Love this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. 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

Feeling the FOMO because you aren't going to NCECA? Come hang out inside of The Community - Learn more & join for 1 month by clicking here. One of my favorite books: Deep Work by Cal Newport (purchasing the book through this link helps support the podcast!) Love this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. 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 get overwhelmed at the idea of making your studio practice environmentally friendly? It can seem impossible to figure out where to start and what actually makes an impact. The science of climate change is complicated at best, and more often than not confusing. Which is exactly why I’m so grateful for people like Yuliya Makliuk - a trained ecologist and potter. Yuliya recently wrote the book Potters Save the World: Learn to Make Sustainable Ceramics and Help Protect the Earth, and on this week’s episode we talk all about the process of self-publishing this important book as well as creating her own pottery amidst an ever changing reality of living in Ukraine. Guest Resources: Yuliya Makliuk's Instagram - @hereandnowpottery Resources - Potters Save the World by Yuliya Makliuk (click here to purchase using our affiliate link & help support this podcast!) Today’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art Bray Clay by the Archie Bray Love this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. 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

The internet can be amazing for connecting us all to resources we wouldn’t otherwise have access to. But it can also be absolutely overwhelming. With so many people teaching online, how can we tell who actually knows what they are doing? How do we know (especially if we decide to pay) that they are actually qualified to teach us? I’m not talking about formal qualifications and diplomas here - obviously, there are plenty of problems with the traditional structures of arts education. But at the same time, there’s additionally the sneaky problem of online education not having any sort of barrier to access - literally anyone can call themselves a teacher on the internet. During Part Two of my conversation with Hope Limyansky-Smith, we dig into the pros & cons of being online educators and the ways in which we ourselves vet other educators we want to learn from as students ourselves. Before all of that, we also have a very important discussion on setting boundaries online both for ourselves and with each other so that we can continue to enjoy building new friendships online, which really is what makes being on social media great, isn’t it? Guest Resources: Hope Limyansky-Smith's Instagram - @limyanskystudios Today’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art Bray Clay by the Archie Bray Love this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. 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

How often do you look at what other makers are sharing on social media and think to yourself - “How do they have time to make all this CONTENT? Daily reels, stories, thoughtfully designed themes, not to mention the actual pots!” It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This week on the podcast, we’re going behind-the-scenes with Hope Limyansky-Smith of Limyansky Studios who consistently posts 5 days a week while also teaching full-time to understand what it’s really like to create so much for social media. Spoiler: This is only part one of my chat with Hope, so be sure you are following the show on whatever podcast app you use to listen in order to not miss out on part two! Guest Resources: Hope Limyansky-Smith's Instagram - @limyanskystudios Today’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art Bray Clay by the Archie Bray Love this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. 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

What were you doing 15 years ago? Were you already making? Had you not even found clay yet? It’s amazing the twists and turns our lives can take, and yet, without them, we wouldn’t be doing what we’re doing today. On today’s episode, I sit down with Victoria Brook, who first introduced me to wheel throwing 15 years ago, when I lived in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England for a year. A lifetime has happened since, and yet at the same time, in many ways Victoria and I both are coming full circle. Guest Resources: Victoria Brook's Instagram - @mygianthandsmadethese Today’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art The Archie Bray & Bray Poxy Love this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. 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

We’re kicking off Season 5 with a big announcement right at the start of my chat with Rebecca Harvey, the executive director of the Archie Bray. Rebecca and I also chat about the history of the Bray and her vision for the future, along with the pros & cons of traditional academic education and partnering (or not!) with galleries. Never miss an important announcement (or sneak peek) about what's happening with The Maker's Playbook by adding your email to the insider's list at: makersplaybook.com/newsletter Guest Resources: Rebecca Harvey's Instagram - @r.harveythisisatest Today’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art Bray Clay by the Archie Bray The Maker's Playbook is now a part of the Brickyard Network! Find more awesome pottery podcasts by clicking here. Love this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. 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

Our 4th most popular episode of 2023 was my conversation with Page Kelly of Zephyr Valley Ceramics twists and turns, much like her career paths. A self-proclaimed “late bloomer,” there is this stunning moment in this conversation at about the 46-ish minute marker when Page discusses the narrative body of work she is currently producing, where I hear literally every experience she has had in the last 2 decades - inside and outside of working in clay - come together. It’s an encouraging moment, especially for those of us that feel like we are getting started in this beautiful journey a bit… well, later than others. Note: There is a tiny bit of adult language in the latter half of this episode, so if you are listening around kiddos or are in a community setting, you might want to choose to pop on some headphones. Page is one of the founding members of The Community, our online home for makers. You can learn more about what all The Community is about by clicking here: makersplaybook.com/community Love this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. 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. On January 8th (one week from today!) I'm sharing my entire annual planning process inside of our Community! If you are looking to have 2024 be the year you finally accomplish the projects you dream of at the start of the year, consider joining us for the system that finally changed it all for me. This podcast wouldn't exist without my annual planning system! Learn more about all the Community has to offer by visiting: makersplaybook.com/community (And if you are reading this after January 8th, 2024 don't worry! All trainings inside of The Community are recorded. Come on over and check it out!) Love this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. 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

Our second most listened to episode of 2023 was Part One of my chat with Sarah Hussaini of Not Work Related (and Part Two wasn't fair behind, coming in at the 6th most popular!). There's a different reality in making a living from the things you make in an urban center like New York City than just about anywhere else in the world, and on this chat, we talk very candidly about the pros and cons of it all. If you are looking for support on finally accomplishing your big goals in 2024, consider joining us inside of The Community to kick off the year with a deep dive on my entire planning process. We'll start off with the big annual plan, and then dig into how to actually get things done with quarterly and weekly accountability. Learn more about all The Community has to offer year round and snag our special rate before prices go up in February by visiting: makersplaybook.com/community Love this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. 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

We're taking a brief season break amidst the craziness of holiday fulfillment season for our own ceramics business (and then hopefully, with a little luck and a lot of planning, a bit of an actual break). New episodes will return at the start of February 2024, but in the meantime enjoy the top episodes of 2023 to finish out the year. You just might catch something you didn't the first time! If you are looking to level up your own small business in 2024 and want to finally accomplish big goals that every year you have the best of intentions to do, but never seem to make the time for, consider joining us inside of The Community to kick off the new year with the very planning system Rebecca has used to launch this podcast, write full courses, and build brand new businesses. Best of all, if you join before February you'll receive our 2022 membership rates that are disappearing soon! Learn more at: makersplaybook.com/community Love this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. 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 year end recap of our first full year focusing more intentionally on launching our ceramics business, Carra Terra. If you are looking for support in trying to figure out how to make a living from the things you make, come take a look at our online home for makers from all over the world by visiting makersplaybook.com/community Love this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. 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 your friends ever marveled at how much you manage to get done? How you somehow work full-time and then also produce artwork on the side that you sell on the nights and weekends in your side-hustle? How often are we praised for seemingly “doing it all?” In our productivity focused culture, these accolades can feel amazing. But is it healthy? I am most definitely not the only one out there who’s been rewarded for their ability to manage numerous things at once. Gerald Brown knows this life well, and on today’s episode, she and I are debunking our often lauded ability to do #AllTheThings, and peeling back the curtain a bit on why. If you’ve ever chatted with Gerald, or listened to her own podcast (called Unraveling. Look it up!) it will come as no surprise that we also get into the big philosophical questions around how we make a living from the things we make a bit more than my usual pragmatic. If you love this conversation and want to keep diving deeper, come check out The Community. Our virtual membership for fellow makers from all over the world who are trying to figure out how the heck we make a living from the things we make. Learn more (and lock in our current membership rates before they change in 2024) by visiting: makersplaybook.com/community Guest Resources: Gerald's Instagram - @geraldbrownart Love this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. 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

Goals… Are they something that’s fixed? Or something that’s flexible? I used to think of goals as rather fixed. You choose your goal, then put your head down and work towards that one, singular, (often random?) goal. Right? Hmmmm… Goals do give us guidelines. Without goals, we are constantly chasing the next shiniest thing. Before we ever got any traction on the last, now slightly less shiny thing. This week, as I chatted with Jono Pandolfi who produces ceramic dinnerware for some of the world’s top chefs, I was reminded that goals, while giving us a hypothetical finish line to work towards, are anything but fixed. Guest Resources: Jono's Instagram - @jonopandolfi Website - https://www.jonopandolfi.com/?view=sl-E933F878 Love this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. 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 business advice talks about needing to find your ideal customer. That hypothetical person that you need to understand inside and out - from what stores they shop at to what value system they use to view the world. And while this is important, what most of that business advice does not tell you is that it is nearly impossible to figure out who your ideal customer is without first actually putting yourself out there and trying to sell your work. But of course, there’s a huge gap between initially trying to sell your work and learning who your ideal people are. Most of us wish we could skip through the awkward pre-teen-like business years of uncomfortable situations and conversations with non-ideal customers. I get it. I’ve been there. And while there’s no way to truly avoid those growing pains, a great way to be able to protect your own energy through the process is to know with absolute certainty that what you are doing is taking care of people. Not recommending the most expensive item in your booth because you want to make the big sale, but instead, recommending the item you genuinely think will solve the problem the person has described to you. While I could tell you all about how to define an ideal customer, at the end of the day, what I was reminded of during my chat with Makeda Smith is that all of this making a living from the things we make craziness starts with building relationships. Not only between fellow makers to help us through the unknown (as I talk about so frequently), but also in building relationships with the people we are meeting that may - or may not - buy our work. Guest Resources: Makeda's Instagram - @sioceramics Website - https://sioceramics.com/ Love this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. 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

As much as I talk about analytics, strategic decisions, data, systems and all the very pragmatic things about building a small business… Honestly, a lot of this whole making a living from the things you make thing is still ultimately, emotional decisions. But how can those pesky emotions help guide us in our decisions rather than derail us? We can't possibly trust every fleeting feeling we have, can we? If you are interested in diving deeper on the questions addressed in this episode - questions that require nuance and trust - you might want to check out The Community and see if it just might be the safe oasis you've been looking for. Learn more at: makersplaybook.com/community Love this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. 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 chat, you are going to hear my unfiltered shock at how little I actually know about Maya’s personal life - proof that you do not have to overshare on the internet in order to use social media for strategic business growth, how Maya has pivoted her audience over the years through drastically different styles of making, and (equally exciting for me), how she changes her business model throughout the year based on what her personal life needs - Hallelujah! Guest Resources: Maya's Instagram - @melissamayapottery Website - https://melissamayapottery.com/collections/online-workshops-and-consultations Love this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. 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