The Pin Tool Podcast | Pottery | Ceramics | Small Business

S2E3: Collecting and Sprouting Seeds of Ideas - Creating Your Pottery

In this episode, we talk about idea generation; collecting, and the germination of creative seeds using the book "The Creative Act: A Way Of Being." by Rick Rubin  Many times we might stall when we run out of ideas creatively.  That's why it's important to collect many seeds and store them to plant later.  Seeds will not grow if you never water them or if you're too overbearing.  How do you collect creative seeds? Email me and let me know at creekroadpottery@gmail.comAl Wayman 
owner / artist
Creek Road Pottery LLCwww.creekroadpottery.com

S2E2: Adapting Artificial Intelligence To Your Art- Creating Your Pottery

In this episode, we talk about a few ways you could use Artificial Intelligence as a creation tool.  With the rise of ChatGPT in search and the controversy and questions around AI-generated art, is it even possible to use it as a tool in creating our work?  Feel free to let me know by commenting! Books MentionedThe Creative Act: A Way of Being. By Rick RubinBook of the Farm. By Henry StephensSurface Decoration for Ceramics. By Claire IrelandAl Wayman is the artist and owner of Creek Road Pottery LLC in Laceyville, PAwww.creekroadpottery.comCreating work that matters for people who care.
 

S2E1: Ways to Avoid Existential Vacuum & Depression - Making Your Pottery

In this episode, I go over a few steps you can take to manage seasonal depression maybe and avoid an existential vacuum. We discuss Victor Frankel's ideas about Existential Vacuum in his book Man's Search For Meaning.  I also cover the idea of the Hero's Journey with ideas from Joseph Campbell's  Hero with a Thousand Faces.  Life is far to short not to plan a journey.  Also, the business philosopher Seth Godin, in his blog, suggests we should not get distracted by the event and miss the importance of the journey.  What do you have planned for the New Year? Have you mapped out a journey, or are you waiting?  Be sure not to wait too long. 

S1E12: Tips For Managing Custom Orders- Selling Your Pottery

Many times, makers prefer to avoid taking custom orders out of fear. In this episode, I talk about a few tips that can be done to manage custom orders better and make the experience and customer interaction more enjoyable.  I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season, and may the new year bring you new projects and adventures! Feel free to leave a comment if you find these episodes helpful!The book mentioned that I am reading: 
Sell or Be Sold: How to Get Your Way in Business and LifeVisit my website for tools, tips, and stories. Also, get a free download of my pottery cost analysis spreadsheet HERE as my gift to you! 
Remember to make work that matters for folks who care! #creekroadpottery #thepintoolpodcast #pottery #clay #handmade #smallbusiness #podcast 

S1E11: My Experience In A Direct Marketing Environment- Marketing Your Pottery

I had a situation where I needed to have pots at three different places on the same weekend.  In one show,  all direct marketing was required to sell, as very few, it seemed, came to buy pots. I felt out of place outside my Story base/ Permission base comfort zone.  I was able to meet my goal of selling one pot.  But in a direct marketing environment, I had to work harder for it.  You may get a chuckle out of this episode, as many of you who sell in shows may only do direct marketing.  Which do you prefer?  I hope everyone has a great holiday!  My blog:https://creekroadpottery.com/blog/

S1E10: Using A Treadle Wheel - Making Your Pottery

I made the trip from Laceyville, Pennsylvania to the beautiful upstate New York though the farm land with my father to pick up an old time treadle wheel. I found the treadle wheel on Facebook marketplace for a great price. I always wanted to try one, and having one would make my pottery off grid. It was a stand-up treadle wheel that was rather large and heavy, with a one-hundred and twenty-five pound fly wheel.Books Mentioned:A Potter's Book by Bernard Leach
Warren Mackenzie: An American Potter by David Lewis

S1E9: Tips For Holiday Show Prep - Selling Your Pottery

Things can get real busy, so this year I decided to start early to make things easier on myself.  Here are a few things I plan to try while I am making work for the holiday season. #creekroadpottery #pottery #ceramics #handmade #smallbusiness

S1E8: Tips For Cutting Cost - Selling Your Pottery

Due to high inflation, selling work may be a bit challenging.  In this episode, I offer some tips on cutting cost and a few ideas on how you might generate revenue to survive the hard times.  You may need to be brave and try new things.  For me personally, I  do not wish to raise prices, but I am looking for ways to cut costs in my process while still maintaining quality.  Hand mixing glazes from a base recipe, learning to single fire, moving towards giving classes, and diversifying selling platforms are some ways I discuss here to weather the storm.   How are you all doing in the currently economic downturn? Let me know at creekroadpottery@gmail.comLinks:A Free Pottery Cost Analysis spreadsheet free for download I created some time back that you might find helpful!https://creekroadpottery.com/pottery-cost-analysis-spread-sheet/Janet Holdcraft’s “Blue Dawn”https://creekroadpottery.com/janet-holdcrafts-blue-dawn-glaze/The Gallery41 Hebrew Jar Collectionhttps://creekroadpottery.com/line-upon-line-collection/
 
The Practice: Shipping Creative Work. by Seth Godin 

S1E7: Showing Up As A Professional -Marketing Your Pottery

When you hire a plumber to stop over and fix a leaky pipe, you need them to show up and try to do their best work, or at least meet your expectations in doing the work.  As potters and artists, we may need to practice in showing up in very much the same way.  Allowing the customer to have a positive experience with you can be good for sales, lead to more work, and even on days when you might not feel all that happy about what you do.  I have found if difficult at times in learning to love what I do and even on days where I may not feel all that passionate about things still show up for myself as a professional and get the job done. In this episode, I talk about a few things that can help you show up as a professional when selling your pottery or art work.  I need to practice all of these things for sure and have a bad time with most.  One book that helped me a great deal was Do the Work: Overcome Resistance and Get Out of Your Own Way. by Steven PressfieldDo you agree?  How do you show up and do the work when you have an off day? Is it possible to show up and make art when it feels like a job?  Let me know by emailing me at creekroadpottery@gmail.com.  Also, if you enjoy these episodes be sure to subscribe.  I try to post weekly if time allows. #creekroadpottery #pottery #artist #sales #sellingwork #smallbusiness

S1E6: What Your Work Encompasses - Marketing Your Pottery

While on vacation from the pottery last week, I realized my body of work may encompass more than simply making the art, marketing, and selling.  Here, I discuss seven things your work may encompass in your life that you may not even realize.  If you take time to observe, read, network, rest, think, tell your story, and communicate without beating yourself up you could create better work.  Many things influence the art we create, and those influences show up in the work though our hands.