How does one plan to become a potter? Or perhaps more importantly; why
would one plan to become a potter? The reasons are almost never the
same as why people choose other professions. Have you ever heard of a
person getting a job as a potter because that was the only job they
could get that was available at the time, and then somehow finding
themselves still making pots years later, wondering how they "got
stuck" in this career? If so, let me know; it might make a good
article. Financial gains are certainly not the primary motivation, but
it is possible to make a living—depending on your expectations.
For many of us, it is, and will continue to be, a part-time endeavor,
which will likely not provide income enough to survive, much less
thrive—especially if you have a family. But I think we would all agree
that it is less about the amount of time spent and more about the
quality of the time we do have to devote to it.
Whether you call yourself an enthusiast or aspiring potter, a beginner,
student or hobbyist, chances are you've considered how to go about
selling what you make, but I doubt that's why you started playing with
clay in the first place.
| It's natural, once you realize that the
products of your creative efforts offer some value for others, to
entertain the prospect of ditching the day job, ordering a few tons of
clay and planting a "pottery for sale" sign in the front yard. Perhaps
surprisingly, that's not a bad way to go. Many have had success with
this model. Though it may be less viable now than a few decades ago,
the dive-in-and-start-swimming approach to becoming a potter is
attractive.
The impression of the want ad above notwithstanding, making pots
can be personally, professionally and financially fulfilling. There are many, with
more first-hand experience than I, who can explain this better, and we
have asked several of them to do so. In "Work and Play: The Potter's Life," six
well-respected, professional, full-time potters share decades of
knowledge and experience so that the rest of us might feel more
comfortable diving in.
Sherman Hall, Editor, Ceramics Monthly
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