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PODCAST

Wheel Talk

Ryan Durbin & Becca Otis

Ryan Durbin (@rdceramics) & Becca Otis (@5linespottery) share their experiences as potters, makers, small business owners, and creatives. Becca is a full time studio potter, while Ryan is a full time website developer and part time potter. We"d love to share our ups and downs along the way as we build our skills as makers and small business owners in an honest, informal manner. We hope to bring you helpful tips we"ve learned over the years, learn from each other, and share expertise from a

business entrepreneurship

All Episodes

109:38

#304 - How Much Is Too Much to Pay for a Booth?

Wheel Talk ·

2025/05/24

In this episode, Ryan and Becca dive into the nitty-gritty of participating in art shows—from understanding different fee structures to handling logistics and boosting your profits. They break down common models, including flat booth fees, low table fees with commissions, and hybrid setups. Plus, stick around for a listener question about surviving rainy art shows and drying out your work and display afterwards. Maker of the Moment Meredith Bradley - @cityinbloomceramicsRachel DePauw - @depau...

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152:26

#303 - Where the Time Goes—And What You’re Earning...

Wheel Talk ·

2025/05/17

Ryan & Becca welcome back Heidi Fahrenbacher of Bella Joy Pottery to catch up on her new studio build and share advice on a few business topics. They dive into Ryan’s current work hours and revenue from pottery as a side hustle, and how tracking these metrics can offer valuable insights for your own business. The conversation also covers Etsy sales strategies and tips for providing great customer service. Lastly, Becca proposes an interesting challenge for the group. Maker of the Moment A...

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134:16

#302 - What to Make for Spring Shows

Wheel Talk ·

2025/05/10

Ryan and Becca catch up on recent life updates and share what’s on the horizon for Ryan’s upcoming shows. They also dive into ideas for spring show inventory, discussing functional and decorative forms that are popular this time of year, plus a few seasonal items to keep in mind for later in the year. Maker of the Moment Maritza Leon @the.introverted.potterDani Chevalier @asketchypotteryshopSponsors L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Fi...

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175:39

#301 - The Jigger and Jolly Journey with Jody Lewis...

Wheel Talk ·

2025/05/03

Ryan and Becca are joined by Jody Lewis of Good Wheel Ceramics, a Canadian potter whose journey from hobbyist to full-time artist is as thoughtful as his work. Jody shares how he incorporates jiggering and jollying techniques into his process and reflects on what it's been like balancing his growing pottery business alongside his partner’s demanding career as an ER doctor. The conversation also explores his future plans for expanding the studio with the help of an assistant. A big thanks to J...

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144:26

#300 - The Art of Teaching Workshops with Tzipporah...

Wheel Talk ·

2025/04/26

Ryan and Becca welcome back Tzipporah Schvarcz of Sipor Ceramics for her third appearance to dive into the ins and outs of hosting and teaching pottery workshops, both in-person and online. They explore marketing strategies, pricing, the rise of virtual summits, and how workshop formats have evolved. Plus, they reflect on recent NCECA experiences and teaching approaches. Maker of the Moment Feldi @feldistudiosJon Stein @jsteinpotteryMostly Kosher @mostlykosher-----Find more about Tzipporah's ...

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148:57

#299 - Making the Most of NCECA—Without Breaking the...

Wheel Talk ·

2025/04/19

Ryan and Becca share highlights from their recent trip to Salt Lake City for the annual NCECA pottery conference. They dive into the highs and lows of the experience, explore practical ways to navigate the costs of attending, and reflect on what they’d do differently next time. Whether you’re a seasoned conference-goer or planning your first NCECA, this episode offers insight, tips, and a candid look behind the scenes. Maker of the Moment Scott Jones - @sj_ceramicsCarrol Harris - @carolharris...

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163:35

#298 - Show season strategy with Isaac Shue

Wheel Talk ·

2025/04/12

Ryan is back with Isaac Shue to share practical tips for pricing pottery, creating effective displays, and making the most of art fairs and festivals. They also talk through website strategy, studio expansion, and the challenges of balancing a creative business with life’s demands—all while answering listener questions along the way. Maker of the Moment Charlotte Grenier @ateliergrenierKate Marotz @kate.marotz -----Find more about Isaac's business below----- Instagram - @isaacshueisart &...

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121:04

#297 - Between Two Podcasts with Mike Griffin of...

Wheel Talk ·

2025/04/05

Ryan & Becca are joined by Mike from Mike Griffin Ceramics and the Between Two Ewers podcast to chat about the difference between capital ‘P’ and lowercase ‘p’ potters, Ryan’s day job, bisque mug butts, mid-range soda workshops, and more. Catch the video version on YouTube via Between Two Ewers. -----Find more about Mike's business and podcast below----- Instagram - @mike_griffin_ceramics & @betweentwoewers YouTube - Between Two Ewers Website - Mike Griffin Ceramics Sponsors L&L K...

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143:33

#296 - Beyond Social Media: Why Your Mailing List...

Wheel Talk ·

2025/03/29

Ryan sits down with Heidi Fahrenbacher to dive into the world of email marketing and how potters can make the most of their mailing lists. They also chat about time management strategies and the ongoing challenge of balancing productivity with creativity. Plus, they touch on the overwhelm that comes with managing all the moving pieces of a pottery business. Maker of the Moment Carter Pasma - @cartersclayJulia - @uglyduckpottery-----Find more about Heidi's business below----- Instagram - @bell...

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110:33

#295 - Craft Show Chaos: Managing the Busy Season

Wheel Talk ·

2025/03/22

Ryan and Becca dive into the ups and downs of running their pottery businesses, sharing experiences from craft shows, strategies for managing busy seasons, and the nitty-gritty of pottery production. They swap tips on choosing the right art markets, keeping inventory in check, and making sure the hustle stays fun (and profitable). Plus, they chat about kiln maintenance, booth setups, and what makes different pottery events worth the effort. Maker of the Moment Oliver Estes - @estes.ceramicsDo...

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138:12

#294 - Mastering ceramic decals with Isaac Shue

Wheel Talk ·

2025/03/15

Ryan and Isaac Shue discuss preparations for Gallery Mostasa's spring show, covering pottery production, glaze techniques, and marketing. They dive into ceramic decals for customization, along with pricing strategies, custom order challenges, and future plans for wholesale mug production. Maker of the Moment Austin Riddle @austinriddlepotteryNathan Bray - @braypottery-----Find more about Isaac's business below----- Instagram - @isaacshueisart & @gallery.mostaza Listeners Questions On this...

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129:44

#293 - Side hustle or full-time? Weighing the pros...

Wheel Talk ·

2025/03/08

Ryan and Becca discussed the pros and cons of running a side business versus full-time self-employment, emphasizing the importance of routines and boundaries. They also touched on financial planning, upcoming events, and the differences between working solo and in a team environment. Maker of the Moment Em Gabriel - @emgabrielartRay Brown - @rlbrown1995Listeners Questions On this episode: When using underglaze, do you prefer to paint on greenware, or do you paint on bisque? Are there advantag...

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90:21

#292 - Q&A Part X

Wheel Talk ·

2025/03/01

Ryan & Becca are back with another Q&A episode! They answer a range of questions from wedging tables to storing your inventory efficiently to developing new product lines. Thanks to everyone who continues to send us questions on Instagram and by email! Maker of the Moment Sara Tolbert - @saratolbertceramicsPreston Tolbert - @preston.tolbertEric Beavers - @ericbeaverspotteryResources The Complete Guide to Low-Fire Glazes for Potters and Sculptors by Ben Carter Sponsors L&L Kilns - ...

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154:25

#291 - Profit First with Taylor Swilley

Wheel Talk ·

2025/02/22

Ryan and Becca return for the fourth chapter of the podcast book club, diving into Profit First by Mike Michalowicz. Joined once again by Taylor Swilley, they explore key takeaways and connect the book’s themes to their own businesses. They also discussed various aspects of business management, including client relationships, debt management, and employee management, and considered implementing the profit-first accounting method. Our next book club selection is Art & Fear: Observati...

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127:46

#290 - Building a ceramic collection, one mug at a...

Wheel Talk ·

2025/02/15

Ryan & Becca are joined by Layla Lynn, also known as the Mug Maiden, a passionate ceramic mug collector with an impressive collection of over 700 pieces. Layla shares her love for handmade ceramics and dives into her experiences within the ceramics community, from building relationships with artists to buying and unboxing handmade work. They also discuss packaging practices, the potential for exhibiting collections, and a unique fundraising initiative Layla is currently pursuing. Plus, sh...

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150:16

#289 - The art & business of ceramic jewelry with...

Wheel Talk ·

2025/02/08

Ryan & Becca chat with Deanna Poelsma from Glazed & Confused Creations about the art and business of ceramic jewelry. They discuss clay types, firing processes, tools, and materials for crafting and displaying ceramic jewelry. Deanna shares insights on booth setup, marketing strategies, and equipment for powering lights at craft fairs. They also explore the challenges and rewards of selling handmade jewelry and tips for standing out in a competitive market. -----Find more about Deanna...

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144:09

#288 - Authentic growth & "The Essential Pottery...

Wheel Talk ·

2025/02/01

Ryan & Becca are joined by Kara Leigh Ford, a potter based in the United Kingdom, to discuss her journey from a full-time career in marketing to building a thriving pottery business. Kara shares her insights on pricing handmade ceramics, selling at markets, and navigating online sales. They also dive into the realities of running a pottery studio, from workspace setup and workflow to shipping logistics. The conversation explores Kara’s approach to Patreon, her evolving relationship with s...

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140:02

#287 - Making progress: From setting goals to staying...

Wheel Talk ·

2025/01/25

Ryan and Becca kick off the episode by answering listener questions about point-of-sale systems and the enjoyable (and less enjoyable) parts of their making process. Then, they dive into the topic of the day: setting achievable goals to improve your pottery skills for the long term. Along the way, they share practical tips for staying realistic and making meaningful progress in your creative journey.Maker of the MomentLisa Zolandz - @lisazolandzYu Tanaka - @Yutanaka89ResourcesSign up for one ...

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122:07

#286 - Simple steps to organize your business finances

Wheel Talk ·

2025/01/18

Ryan and Becca dive into the importance of maintaining separate bank accounts for business transactions, efficiently tracking expenses, and staying on top of quarterly tax payments. They also discuss the value of understanding business structures and managing finances, sharing helpful resources for every stage of your business journey.Maker of the MomentHayden Swanson - @livinthedreampotteryIshara Sweeney - @I.e.ceramicsResourcesKiln Management and Repair with Becca Otis - February 12th at 1p...

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153:09

#285 - New year, new focus

Wheel Talk ·

2025/01/11

Ryan and Becca kick off the new year by sharing their personal and professional goals for 2025. They dive into strategies for improving time tracking in their small business, discuss aspirations like securing a role with Speedball, and outline financial and marketing goals. They also explore potential collaborations with consignment shops and the opportunities offered by platforms like Faire for expanding their sales. Tune in for an inspiring start to the year!Did you buy an L&L Kiln rece...

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328 results

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