The Pin Tool Podcast | Pottery | Ceramics | Small Business
A pottery podcast by artist /owner Al Wayman of Creek Road Pottery in Laceyville, Pennsylvania, next to the cold Tuscarora Creek. Pull up a chair around the wheel as we discuss topics concerning the art and craft of pottery, good books, storytelling, marketing, and creating work that matters for folks who care.
Episodes

Wednesday Jul 02, 2025
Wednesday Jul 02, 2025
Welcome back to The Pin Tool Podcast, where we delve into the craft, philosophy, and business of creating pottery that matters. I’m your host, Alford Wayman, and today, is a post from a live feed from my substack, The Pottery DailiesThe Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/The Creek Road Pottery LLC Blog:https://creekroadpottery.com/blog/

Monday Jun 23, 2025
Monday Jun 23, 2025
Welcome back to The Pin Tool Podcast, where we dive deep into the craft, philosophy, and business of making pottery that matters. I’m your host, Alford Wayman, and today, we’re bringing together the wisdom of the 12 Steps and The Artist’s Way —applying them directly to the life of an artist, a maker, and a business owner. We’ll discuss letting go of what's holding you back. Whether you’re at the wheel, in the studio, or just reflecting on your creative journey, this episode will offer suggestions on letting go of what's holding you back.
The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron
https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-25th-Anniversary/dp/0143129252My Pottery Journal, by Alford Waymanhttps://www.amazon.com/My-Pottery-Journal-Alford-Wayman/dp/B0CDNMNRX7The Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/The Creek Road Pottery LLC Blog:https://creekroadpottery.com/blog/

Monday Jun 09, 2025
Monday Jun 09, 2025
Welcome back to The Pin Tool Podcast, where we dive deep into the craft, philosophy, and business of making pottery that matters. I’m your host, Alford Wayman, and today, we’re bringing together the wisdom of the 12 Steps and The Artist’s Way —applying them directly to the life of an artist, a maker, and a business owner. We’ll discuss building community with my AI bot, Project Planner Amelia. Whether you’re at the wheel, in the studio, or just reflecting on your creative journey, this episode will give you suggestions on taking creative risks and why building community is essential.
The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron
https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-25th-Anniversary/dp/0143129252My Pottery Journal, by Alford Waymanhttps://www.amazon.com/My-Pottery-Journal-Alford-Wayman/dp/B0CDNMNRX7The Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/The Creek Road Pottery LLC Blog:https://creekroadpottery.com/blog/

Sunday May 11, 2025
Sunday May 11, 2025
Welcome back to The Pin Tool Podcast, where we dive deep into the craft, philosophy, and business of making pottery that matters. I’m your host, Alford Wayman, and today, we’re bringing together the wisdom of the 12 Steps and The Artist’s Way —applying them directly to the life of an artist, a maker, and a business owner. We’ll talk with my A.I. bot, Project Planner, Amelia, about Taking Inventory. Whether you’re at the wheel, in the studio, or just reflecting on your creative journey, this episode will give you suggestions on taking creative risks and why risk is important.
The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron
https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-25th-Anniversary/dp/0143129252My Pottery Journal, by Alford Waymanhttps://www.amazon.com/My-Pottery-Journal-Alford-Wayman/dp/B0CDNMNRX7The Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/The Creek Road Pottery LLC Blog:https://creekroadpottery.com/blog/

Monday Apr 14, 2025
Monday Apr 14, 2025
Welcome back to The Pin Tool Podcast, where we dive deep into the craft, philosophy, and business of making pottery that matters. I’m your host, Alford Wayman, and today, we're discussing being overwhelmed. I don’t have it all figured out. Most days, I’m just like you, swimming through resistance, elbowing my way through the chaos, and trying to remember why I started making pots in the first place. Overwhelm doesn’t mean you’re broken. It just means you care. The hard part is deciding what to care about first.Seth Godin Books mentioned:
The Practice.
Poke The Box. The Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/The Creek Road Pottery LLC Blog:https://creekroadpottery.com/blog/

Monday Mar 31, 2025
Monday Mar 31, 2025
Welcome back to The Pin Tool Podcast, where we dive deep into the craft, philosophy, and business of making pottery that matters. I’m your host, Alford Wayman, and today, we’re bringing together the wisdom of the 12 Steps and The Artist’s Way —applying them directly to the life of an artist, a maker, and a business owner. We’ll talk with my A.I. bot Project Planner, Amelia, about taking creative Risks. Whether you’re at the wheel, in the studio, or just reflecting on your creative journey, this episode will give you suggestions on taking creative risks and why risk is important.
Send your submission for the mug giveaway to creekroadpottery@gmail.com
The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron
https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-25th-Anniversary/dp/0143129252My Pottery Journal, by Alford Waymanhttps://www.amazon.com/My-Pottery-Journal-Alford-Wayman/dp/B0CDNMNRX7The Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/The Creek Road Pottery LLC Blog:https://creekroadpottery.com/blog/

Monday Mar 17, 2025
Monday Mar 17, 2025
Welcome back to The Pin Tool Podcast, where we dive deep into the craft, philosophy, and business of making pottery that matters. I’m your host, Alford Wayman, and today, we’re bringing together the wisdom of the 12 Steps and The Artist’s Way —applying them directly to the life of an artist, a maker, and a business owner. We’ll talk with my A.I. bot Project Planner, Amelia, about how to overcome creative blocks by believing your purpose and finding your identity. Whether you’re at the wheel, in the studio, or just reflecting on your creative journey, this episode will give you practical steps to push forward with confidence and purpose.
So grab your pin tool, settle in, and let’s shape something together—starting with the mindset that fuels it all. Let’s dive in!
Send your submission for the mug giveaway to creekroadpottery@gmail.com
The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron
https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-25th-Anniversary/dp/0143129252My Pottery Journal, by Alford Waymanhttps://www.amazon.com/My-Pottery-Journal-Alford-Wayman/dp/B0CDNMNRX7The Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/The Creek Road Pottery LLC Blog:https://creekroadpottery.com/blog/

Sunday Mar 09, 2025
Sunday Mar 09, 2025
Welcome to "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art and life intersect. I’m your host, Alford Wayman of Creek Road Pottery LLC. This episode explores the challenges of reduction firings, show prep, and how the Creek Road Pottery Spring Show 2025 went.
Website:
https://creekroadpottery.comThe Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/

Sunday Feb 16, 2025
Sunday Feb 16, 2025
Welcome back to The Pin Tool Podcast, where we dive deep into the craft, philosophy, and business of making pottery that matters. I’m your host, Alford Wayman, and today; we’re bringing together the wisdom of the 12 Steps and The Artist’s Way —applying them directly to the life of an artist, a maker, and a business owner. We’ll talk with my A.I. bot Project Planner, Amelia, about how to overcome creative blocks by admitting our weaknesses. Whether you’re at the wheel, in the studio, or just reflecting on your creative journey, this episode will give you practical steps to push forward with confidence and purpose.
So grab your pin tool, settle in, and let’s shape something together—starting with the mindset that fuels it all. Let’s dive in!
The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron
https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-25th-Anniversary/dp/0143129252My Pottery Journal, by Alford Waymanhttps://www.amazon.com/My-Pottery-Journal-Alford-Wayman/dp/B0CDNMNRX7The Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/The Creek Road Pottery LLC Blog:https://creekroadpottery.com/blog/

Sunday Feb 02, 2025
Sunday Feb 02, 2025
Welcome back to The Pin Tool Podcast, where we dive deep into the craft, philosophy, and business of making pottery that matters. I’m your host, Alford Wayman, and today; we’re exploring a powerful framework that blends creative recovery, mental resilience, and business strategy. If you've ever felt stuck in your art—whether creatively, emotionally, or even in the way you run your business—this episode is for you.
We’re bringing together the wisdom of the 12 Steps and The Artist’s Way —applying them directly to the life of an artist, a maker, and a business owner. We’ll talk about how to overcome creative blocks, build resilience, and structure our work so that it’s meaningful and sustainable. Whether you’re at the wheel, in the studio, or just reflecting on your creative journey, this episode will give you practical steps to push forward with confidence and purpose.
So grab your pin tool, settle in, and let’s shape something together—starting with the mindset that fuels it all. Let’s dive in!The Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/The Creek Road Pottery LLC Blog:https://creekroadpottery.com/blog/

I was introduced to clay in a basic ceramic class at Keystone College in 1996. It was there that I saw artist and professor Bill Tersteeg turn a large bowl on his wheel. I fell in love with clay as a medium because I was able to manipulate it in many ways far easier than painting or drawing. After achieving my AFA, I then spent three years at Marywood University where I completed my BFA in Ceramics. During that time I worked as an apprentice at Wild Flower Pottery in Thompson PA, with artist Sharon DiGennaro.