2012 Holiday Wrap Up

Now that the holiday shopping season is over, I feel it's a good time to reflect on the past few weeks. They've been busy to say the least. The main event was the Highland Park Pottery Tour, where I opened my home to the public. In many ways it felt like a huge step in becoming a part of the global ceramics community. Several times in the past few weeks while I prepared for the sale, I imagined potters throughout the ages preparing their homes for such sales. I felt a kinship with these people, and realized how it's as much a part of the culture as throwing on the wheel. 

Another interesting community related thought is how fortunate I am to have met so many of my customers. In the past few years I've sold a good number of pieces to strangers over the internet. With some exceptions, I don't have much interaction with online customers. But meeting people face to face, hearing about what they'll do with my pottery, and how happy it will make them (or their gift recipient) is as rewarding as the money they spend. And I've also made some new friends in the process.

And finally, from an artistic standpoint, this season has been especially valuable for the inspiration, encouragement and critical feedback I've gained. Now I can't wait to get back into the studio in 2012.

Gifts from the Guild 2011

Once again, Manchester Craftsmen's Guild is hosting its annual art sale, Gifts from the Guild.


On December 2-4 you can visit the MCG ceramics studio and purchase a handcrafted gift made by students and staff (including Amanda Wolf, Keith Hershberger and myself). 40% of all sales go directly towards youth and arts programming.

• Friday from 10 am – 6 pm
• Saturday from 2 pm – 10 pm
• Sunday from 12 noon – 4 pm

In conjunction with A Billy Taylor Tribute presented by JazzMobile, December 3 & 4, 2011.

Holiday Gift Show 2011

I'll have a small table of ceramics for sale at my friend Lisa's house on December 10th. I made some pieces special for this event, value priced at $15 or less.

Lisa is a great craftsperson, and she's also got good taste. I especially like the fact that she's not afraid to share her opinion, even if it means being critical. At my last sale, she looked at my assortment of tumblers and said, "If these had handles, I would buy one."

So, just for this sale, I've made a bunch of small mugs. I have a hunch the host is going to want one!

Craft Sales VS Online Sales

Selling my ceramics in person is awesome. Selling ceramics online... Not so great.

In person, people get to touch things. Pottery is very much about how things feel, and that can't be expressed online.

I haven't sold anything on Etsy in months. I made a month's rent in one afternoon at this recent craft fair.

When I ship ceramics, despite my best attempts to package things for Armageddon, it's inevitable that every so often, things get broken. Neither USPS or UPS has ever paid for the damages. In person, I wrap the pottery in newspaper and people carefully carry them home.

Finally, as much as it's nice to hear some feedback over the internet, there's nothing more satisfying than seeing how happy a customer is face to face.

I Made it Market - April 4th

Come visit me at the I Made it Market on Saturday, April 4th. The sale runs from noon to 5 pm. It takes place at The Union Project, which is at the corner of Stanton and Negley in the Highland Park neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

I should have lots of new stuff for sale (things not yet posted on Etsy or my Flickr pages).

Givin' it Away

One of the things I've realized in the past few months is that selling my work, especially on Etsy, is not as rewarding as giving it away.

Now I'm not saying I just dole it out indiscriminately. Quite the opposite. When I give something away, it goes to a friend, a relative, a coworker or (perhaps my favorite) a student.

When I sell a piece it goes to a stranger. I get a little money, but usually not really enough to merit the time invested in the piece of work. Of course sometimes I get quite a bit of money (which is nice) and I've met some nice people (even new friends) through sales.

But giving my work away brings a different kind of reward. Most of the time I get a sense of pride from the receiver's admiration of my skills. Other times I'm just happy to make someone else happy. In the case of students, I like the opportunity to inspire.

One last thought is that when I set out to make something that will be given away as a gift, it almost always turns out better than I had hoped. It's like karma instills a certain amount of luck into the creative process. Of course, I hope I didn't just jinx myself by saying that...