Wheel Talk

Ryan Durbin & Becca Otis
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Wheel Talk

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 number of guests with you also. Please join us for some Wheel Talk!

  1. 6 HR AGO

    #277 - How do you feel about preorders?

    In this episode, Ryan and Becca answer a few listener questions before diving into the topic of preorders. Inspired by an Instagram story series from @themugmaiden, they discuss Ryan's experience as a customer of a preordered ceramic piece. They also explore the ins and outs of selling preorders, including tips for success and scenarios where offering preorders might not be the best option. ResourcesThe Hatch House Bed & BreakfastCorning Museum of Glass - Corning, NYListener QuestionsOn t...

    2h 7m

  2. 9 NOV

    #276 - Turning Ideas into Art: Steal Like an Artist with Taylor Swilley

    Ryan and Becca return for the third chapter of the podcast book club, diving into Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon. Joined once again by Taylor Swilley, they explore key takeaways and connect the book’s themes to their own lives and businesses.We'll announce our next book club selection later in the year with plans to release the episode in February 2025.A special thanks to Taylor for joining us again and for recording the ads in today’s epi...

    1h 44m

  3. 2 NOV

    #275 - Exploring Etsy HQ and brewing success at the Cincy Coffee Festival

    In this episode, Ryan and Becca recap their time at the Cincinnati Coffee Festival, comparing sales, discussing what changed from last year, and exploring the new items Becca introduced. They also share highlights from Ryan’s recent trip to Brooklyn, New York, where he visited Etsy headquarters and attended the in-person Etsy Holiday Pop-Up event in NYC, while enjoying new tiki bars and stand-up comedy with Rachel.Listener QuestionsSend us questions so we can answer anything you've been think...

    1h 31m

  4. 26 OCT

    #274 - Big city, small business with Sarah Hussaini from Not Work Related

    Ryan and Becca chat with Sarah Hussaini of Not Work Related about the challenges of growing her ceramics business in NYC. Sarah shares her journey of hiring and trusting others to maintain quality, balancing high overhead costs, and prioritizing sustainable growth. She also discusses how she evaluates large opportunities, using her Instagram as a portfolio that’s led to exciting collaborations. For those aspiring to go full-time, Sarah offers practical advice on navigating expenses, making sm...

    2h 21m

  5. 19 OCT

    #273 - Commissions, business startup tips, and Michiana Pottery Tour recap

    In this episode, Ryan and Becca recap their time at the Michiana Pottery Tour before answer a few listener questions. Questions include handling commission inquiries and the best way to turn them down, business startup basics (registering a business name and setting up a bank account), and pricing for custom wholesale requests, like adding a stamped logo to mugs, and how to account for the extra work. We hope you enjoy!ResourcesKohler Residency Program https://www.kohlercompany.com/social-imp...

    1h 53m

  6. 12 OCT

    #272 - Listener Q&A: Perfecting mystery boxes and kiln programs

    In this episode, Ryan and Becca tackle a range of listener questions, offering valuable insights for potters with varied years of experience. They start by sharing their experience with mystery boxes—how many pieces to include, what types of pottery work well, and why they’re such a hit with customers. The discussion then shifts to kiln firing programs, where they weigh in on their preferred settings and how switching from default programs can elevate your work. A thoughtful question about th...

    1h 53m

  7. 5 OCT

    #271 - Countdown to Pot Swap 2024: what’s new this year

    Ryan & Becca are back with a special episode all about #PotSwap2024, our 7th year hosting this global event! We’ve got some exciting changes this year, and we’re covering all the details in today’s episode.Registration opens on Sunday, October 13th at 12 pm EDT and costs $5. It’s first come, first serve, with 1,000 spots for USA/Canada participants and 200 for international participants, so be sure to set a reminder! (We’ve shared a reminder in our Instagram stories @potswapofficial). If ...

    1h 18m

  8. 28 SEPT

    #270 - Creating monumental installation art with Jackie Head

    In this episode, Ryan and Becca welcome Jackie Head, a ceramic artist based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jackie shares insights from her journey through her BFA at Indiana University Bloomington and her MFA at Alfred University, as well as her experiences in ceramics residencies. Now a working artist, Jackie discusses her large-scale installation projects, including those involving over 600 identical tiles. They dive into the challenges of pricing such jobs, managing time, maintaining communicat...

    2h 23m
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Trailer

About

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 number of guests with you also. Please join us for some Wheel Talk!

Information

  • Creator
    Ryan Durbin & Becca Otis
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2024
  • Episodes
    281
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2024 Wheel Talk
  • Show Website
    Wheel Talk

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