At the end of the year Mark and I always do a sit down meeting to figure out what is going to happen for the following year.
We always have the best intentions of making strict list of the pots that we plan to make, tossing out the items that seem to be just sitting around taking up space.
We sum our year up in the thoughts of what sold and what did not.
I'm not quite sure why.
It could be the way folks use what they buy, or buy what they use.
We have always found that coffee mugs are a favorite. We make plenty for each kiln load and those plenty find their way out the door quicker than most other things.
Creamers, a must on the list. Creamers hold more than just cream. They can also hold flowers, maple syrup, melted butter and gravy.
Tiles.
Since I added tiles to the list I have found that they are an item I need to keep on my list as well.
In fact if it was up to me, then again it's not, so, I have to balance what I am throwing with the tiles.
On to the list with them.
That list is getting long since I have a few orders in those as well as the ones in my head I would like to make.
Anything new coming up for you this year?
Is there a suggestion or two that has stuck in your brain that just needs to surface?
I am also going to see how best I can manage my time between school and the studio here at home.
Oh, our criteria for continuing to work in clay is, did we make money, break even or are we just hanging on by our toe nails.
I am saying the toe nails are tight this past year.
We'll see what the taxes shake out.
Meanwhile, watch out here comes the new year.
M
10 comments:
I think the hardest part of my plan is figuring out how to travel a little lighter as well as keeping a little more under the table and less on display.I should have gotten this out of my system when I was younger and stronger.
I have much admiration for you. If I tried to make a living from pottery I'd be in big trouble.
Ha, trouble seems to be our middle name.
Lots to ponder. It's never easy to make a living when you make things. In a past life I was a partner in a masonry contracting business... the good thing (the only good thing) about that was that everything was built on commission... there was no second guessing what would sell. if it wasn't sold... you didn't build it.
yes, I am excitedly planning the ideas for 2015 too, but I like what Dennis says there too: I always load pots all over and what if I only put out half at a fair, more later?
I'm traveling lifter when we do show these days. No more do I pack it all.
Bowls, for me there is no such thing as too many bowls!
I like your crusts too :)
Tax time last year is when I decided to get a job. I looked at how hard I had worked and what little came of it and threw in the towel. I have found that I look forward to getting out of the house and seeing people.
Tracey the bottom line is are you making money. No matter how much you want to just make pottery, if you are paying your bills with that money, you have to be able to make a living.
Hi Meredith,
Happy Christmas and New Year! Sorry that I'm a bit late for the first part, but we were a bit chaotic in the run up to Christmas ourselves and it nearly passed us by! Really nice to see your gallery and how your work is displayed, and interesting to see how you annually take stock of what is selling and what isn't and plan the next year. Good lessons in all that for myself. I realise that I have been playing "catch up" all the time and not looking far enough ahead, this results in stress and frustration, so... a bit more planning will help put that right!
Hope that 2015 goes really well for you both.
Now I feel I need a creamer. I wish it didn't cost so much to ship, I would buy all your stuff! Let me know if y'all are ever up my way...
Post a Comment