Ceramic Arts Daily

Canteens by Diana Fayt

Diana Fayt
San Francisco, California

My career as a potter started fifteen years ago, soon after I graduated
from the California College of Arts (CCA), though I only began to  make a living from my ceramic work in 2005. Previous to 2005, I always had a secondary job(s) waiting tables, as well as teaching ceramics and art. After twenty years of that schedule, I got tired of being spread thin and decided to make a go of it with my work full time. Now, when I look back at those years, I wonder how I did it all. Flying solo has been incredibly satisfying and has also had its lean, mean moments, but somehow I always manage to make it work.

Making a living from my work was something that found me slowly. For many years I was really hesitant to give up the security of another income. Becoming burnt out from wearing too many hats at one time and the feeling of never being able to focus completely, was a key motivator for me to pursue my work full time and make a living from it.

I sell my work through a multitude of venues. I have an online shop where I sell directly to customers. This has broadened my spectrum of buyers to a world market. It also helps to supplement my income, since I can sell my work for retail prices. I love having direct contact with my customers as well. The relationship aspect of selling my work, without a middle person, is really wonderful and I enjoy knowing where my work is going. I participate in a couple of local craft shows each year, and I host annual studio and holiday sales. I sell my work in galleries and participate in as many shows as I can handle. I find showing my work really helps it to stay fresh. In the past, a large part of my sales were from wholesaling my work, though that model is really tough to pull off with one-of-a-kind handmade work. I find the time it takes to make the work, handle all the details that must go into creating a wholesale line-like keeping up with communication and paperwork-is far too much work and really does not pay off.

In 2005, I decided to start writing a blog, One Black Bird (www.oneblackbird.blogspot.com). At the time, there were only a few blogs covering the topic of ceramics, and I thought it would be fun to give people a glimpse into what was happening in my studio as well as provide a dynamic aspect to my website. Doing this was, by far, the most advantageous way to promote my work. Because of the blog, I was able to share what I do with a much broader audience than if I was only showing my work in galleries and at craft shows. It also expanded my community of fellow potters and ceramic enthusiasts, as well as people in the design world. Selling on Etsy and promoting my work via design blogs has resulted in a great amount of exposure that I may not have received otherwise, including giving my work international attention.

The internet is a really wonderful tool for potters and artists to utilize to promote themselves and their work. However, this does not come without working at it. Managing an online shop, writing blog entries and keeping up with correspondence can take up a lot of time. I think, in today’s world, it is foolish for artists not to take advantage of the internet. I know many potters who are not tech savvy and find it difficult to transition into the digital world, but an online presence would go a long way toward growing an audience for their work.

If I were to advise someone about pursuing a career in ceramics, the first bit would be to remain flexible yet focused. Though my work stays consistent, I find that I am constantly re-inventing myself in order to make a living with it. I do my best to keep an open mind about this. There really are a multitude of possibilities out there for one to have a career as a ceramist. Being too precious or limited in ones thinking can kill that dream.

To learn more about Diana Fayt, visit her website at www.dianafayt.com or check out her blog at www.oneblackbird.blogspot.com.

Paul Eshelman
Elizabeth, Illinois

Twenty years ago, I moved with my wife and three young children to
rural northwestern Illinois to try my hand making a living as a studio
potter. I was leaving midway through a graduate-study program in
industrial design at The Ohio State University, where I felt severely
mismatched. Although it was one of the toughest decisions our family
made-facing loads of unknowns-in retrospect, it was a good one. Despite a rocky start, sales of my pottery have allowed us to make our house and studio payments, feed and clothe the family, and help send all three kids through college.

Before the move to full-time pottery, I lined up a slate of retail art shows. It was a fairly quick entrée into selling my work. I now do about fifteen shows a year. Doing the shows involves a lot of time out
of the studio, but I don’t mind the travel and enjoy the personal interaction with those who buy and use my pots. Although sales at art shows still account for about 60% of my income, these sales have
sharply declined in the last couple years. Wholesale orders augment the show sales. Additionally, I get online sales from my website. My oldest son designed and manages my website; I have no computer savviness. I began selling online in 2003 and web sales continue to increase, now accounting for about 10% of my income. Online customers usually have had initial contact with me at an art show. They have met and talked with me and seen and touched the work firsthand. This gives them the confidence to purchase pottery in what could be a fairly abstract relationship with both me and my pottery.

It is startling how many pots it takes to make a living. Coming out of school, it is hard not to be impossibly idealistic. Running a pottery is a business, like it or not. I have to make and sell a significant number of pots in order to pay the bills. I have begun hiring a college student as an intern each summer. They help with the extra work load, have access to the studio to pursue their own work, and get an honest picture of what the life of a working craftsman looks like. So far, it has worked out well for all of us.

To learn more about Paul Eshelman visit his website www.eshelmanpottery.com.