LeeU

I've got plenty of time left on my subscription to learn what I need to know to use WIX's updated system, and I'm doing that now--it's not as frustrating as it was last week.  I'm liking my results so that will serve me well even if I move to another platform. This is running me $11 a month (probably about half what a new subscriber would pay. I got a deal for renewing a few years ago & I expect a good deal if I renew, or it will be bye-bye. My price includes online payment & retail support-the set up for the shop is easy and attractive-I just don't use it or need it. I like WIX, so I'm inclined to stay--but "it depends".  I'm beginning to research other options, just in case. Thanks for all the input so far--very helpful!! 
 

I've got plenty of time left on my subscription to learn what I need to know to use WIX's updated system, and I'm doing that now--it's not as frustrating as it was last week.  I'm liking my results so that will serve me well even if I move to another platform. This is running me $11 a month (probably about half what a new subscriber would pay. I got a deal for renewing a few years ago & I expect a good deal if I renew, or it will be bye-bye. My price includes online payment & retail support-the set up for the shop is easy and attractive-I just don't use it or need it. I like WIX, so I'm inclined to stay--but "it depends".  I'm beginning to research other options, just in case. Thanks for all the input so far--very helpful!! 
 

I didn't see the point of paying for an email through the web builder/host.  I know some people think they look more professional, but I've used leeuceramics@gmail.com  for 10 years, and it serves me quite well.   I don't do mass mailings and of course I get messages that come through my Contact form.  BTW-I like your website, nice and clean, simple & attractive. The Hostinger price is tempting-will check it out.

I've got plenty of time left on my subscription to learn what I need to know to use WIX's updated system, and I'm doing that now--it's not as frustrating as it was last week.  I'm liking my results so that will serve me well even if I move to another platform. This is running me $11 a month (probably about half what a new subscriber would pay. I got a deal for renewing a few years ago & I expect a good deal if I renew, or it will be bye-bye. My price includes online payment & retail support-the set up for the shop is easy and attractive-I just don't use it or need it. I like WIX, so I'm inclined to stay--but "it depends".  I'm beginning to research other options, just in case. Thanks for all the input so far--very helpful!! 
 

Hi @Callie Beller Diesel,
I didn't know about doing that, but I wasn't too attached to my website as it was. I was always thinking I wanted to change it and never got around to it. It's now about as basic as it can get, which is fine with me!
As far as email, it's just my personal one. I put ceramics related emails in a separate folder. I was thinking of making a separate email address for ceramics using the Hostinger one, but I'm scared to fix what ain't broke. My system has been working for me and I've had the same email address for 25 years!

@kswan can you forward your old email to the new one, or would the integration be clunky? I’m not as familiar with Hostinger’s back end.
I recently had to do a big cost comparison, and if you buy your hosting through weebly, they charge the most. Note that if you like the templates on weebly better, you can buy your hosting (which is your custom domain name) through Hostinger, or anyone else, and still build your website with weebly. 
The host/domain name is like a camping spot, and the website is the trailer/tent whatever that you park there. The trailer can be shifted from place to place. Many providers like to offer an all in one service for convenience, but on a technical level, they are separate. 
To extend the metaphor, a website that you build for information and contact only would be the equivalent of a tent or a tent trailer. They don’t do much, but you can park those suckers almost anywhere, usually for cheap. If you want to have an e-commerce website, that would be the equivalent of a fancy RV with bump outs and all the fancy stuff.  The fancier vehicles need a large enough camping spot (host) to handle the traffic, and the fancier camping spots will offer power hookups so that you can get the most out of your experience. 
 

Hi Lee,
I just went through the process of switching web hosts. I had a Weebly website, but since I have a custom domain they went from no fee to $16 per month, which was more than I wanted to pay. I was looking at two hosts with website builders: HostGator and Hostinger. I went with Hostinger, which has a starting price of $3 per month, then after two years it's $7 a month. I'm not selling online, though. It's just to give people a view of work I do and other information. The templates are pretty basic, but it was easy to figure out. It includes an email too, but I haven't used that yet. I just ordered business cards and I don't want to change them yet.
Kathy

Kind words, thank you.  It's taken me most of a life time to get where I am, having started my art studio and equine art in general way back in 1976.  I didn't really start sculpting horses until around 1984, and my first attempts at mold making also in High School, before I went onto the Savannah College of Art & Design where sculpture wasn't available as a major, but I did eat up all the sculpting and mold making classes that were available (only two if I recall back then, alas).  So I have had to learn most of what I know about sculpting and mold making on my own, scouring the internet (once it became available to me in the early 90's) through a great deal of trial and error.  I did however come away from college with both a BFA in Illustration and a MFA in  Painting at least, with double minors in jewelry and art history.  Well worth the effort!

I just checked out your website--amazing work!! I can not even fathom the patience and focus you must have to do such detailed and precise images, whether paintings (love Mac/dog & bear w/water!) or the fine ceramics horses! 

I used an ultra thin jeweler's saw to cut these pieces up.  Now is the finicky part of prep to make sure each piece fits back together as precisely as possible before I proceed.  A good friend reminds me that it is a better idea to take the leap into making a poured rubber mold and casting a rubber master.  A rubber master can be cut up using a sharp blade and therefor suffer no material loss.  It is also much easier to make very precise molds, and make production replacement molds, if you have a rubber master of the sculpture to work from.  This method shown above utilizing a rigid original that is cut up will also work but isn't as practical for production molds where you need to be able to make a lot of casts.
This version of my Porthos isn't the one I really want to be producing.  It is my new Pasture Porthos I really want to get into production.  So this is a screw around project to knock some rust off.   I took a decade off from my studio years ago when I suffered from Lyme Disease and then a bad motorcycle accident that left me unable to walk.   Surgery and lots of PT eventually got me back on my feet but my art studio was closed for a decade because of it.
Even so, I can (and have in the past) made useful molds this way for very small editions on a tight budget.  My Wee Bairn sculpture is a good example of that where I was only aiming for a 10 piece edition. 
Casting rubbers are pretty expensive and you will need a lot to make block molds and pour rubber masters.  Several hundred dollars worth of rubber at a time which is easy to screw up and waste.  So starting out practicing making small, simply shaped rubber masters.  I am currently working on making a rubber master for a medallion to brush up on rubber mold making skills I haven't used in more than a decade.  By comparison, brush on or thinly poured rubbers used to make layer waste molds are far easier to work with - but won't get this kind of work done.

I take back the Etsy referral - @Callie Beller Diesel knows better than I. 

oooooo.....you pushed my "back in the day" larceny button (gone, but not forgotten)! I'd take the $150, tell you I bought such & such, and go spend a night at the beach off season. Actually, since I indulged myself when I set up my studio, I have all the tools I need & then some.  

oooooo.....you pushed my "back in the day" larceny button (gone, but not forgotten)! I'd take the $150, tell you I bought such & such, and go spend a night at the beach off season. Actually, since I indulged myself when I set up my studio, I have all the tools I need & then some.  

oooooo.....you pushed my "back in the day" larceny button (gone, but not forgotten)! I'd take the $150, tell you I bought such & such, and go spend a night at the beach off season. Actually, since I indulged myself when I set up my studio, I have all the tools I need & then some.  

I've filled small holes -similar to those on shakers-with E6000 expoxy glue (get at any fabric/craft/hardware store) & done a paint match using either acrylic or enamel. 

Great minds......  I've recently started using metallic enamels on some pieces, either as thin line detailing or covering an area and then wiping it off, just leaving the sheen.  All shades of gold (rose, bright, old, etc). Going for subtle, not too attention-getting-should be an interesting evolution, as I'm using a softer, lighter palette overall.  Fun! 

The work flow "loop" for clay in, clay out (plus clean vs messy) that Mark described is the way to go IMO.  Also, I would absolutely install water and a utility sink--why would you operate a studio w/out water & be lugging buckets if you don't have to and it's not a temporary situation??   How exciting --good for you!!

The work flow "loop" for clay in, clay out (plus clean vs messy) that Mark described is the way to go IMO.  Also, I would absolutely install water and a utility sink--why would you operate a studio w/out water & be lugging buckets if you don't have to and it's not a temporary situation??   How exciting --good for you!!

The work flow "loop" for clay in, clay out (plus clean vs messy) that Mark described is the way to go IMO.  Also, I would absolutely install water and a utility sink--why would you operate a studio w/out water & be lugging buckets if you don't have to and it's not a temporary situation??   How exciting --good for you!!

Great minds......  I've recently started using metallic enamels on some pieces, either as thin line detailing or covering an area and then wiping it off, just leaving the sheen.  All shades of gold (rose, bright, old, etc). Going for subtle, not too attention-getting-should be an interesting evolution, as I'm using a softer, lighter palette overall.  Fun! 

My 50 years experience (about 40 with Laguna most as a direct  supplier) is the same story. This may sound weird but its only 1 bad ton.
I have had it happen to more than a ton a time . My fellow potter friends (all full timers) have all had this happen over time. It never the suppliers fault-thats always the same story. The box of most clays lists this on the outside and say to test it.
One had a ton with lots of  inch silicone caulk chunks in it. They did know about iot and sent him another ton-they do not want the clay back ever
I'm sorry for this but for me its been a lot more than a ton.
Rawa materials are going thru some strange times now as well.
If you want all my tips just  check your PM and I will send you my # and lets talk a bit-I have some ideas
Now on a great story about bad clay from the later 80s .I once got many tons of bad porcelain clay from laguna (these where elery days for them). It bloated a lot at my usual mcone 10 soft 11 gas fires . I had lost 3 35 cubic foot car kilns loads. They asaid I was niot bisquing hot enough and not drinking enough tea and rubbing my head to much and using to much water and whatever else you could make up. It was a crital point for me and I knew I could not get satisfaction from them so it dawed on me I needed to feel better. Now I had met the owner and knew his dad as well I should add. I got three huge color TV boxes (you know thw old large TUBE TV boxes. I loaded 2 kiln loads of fired pots in those three boxed and used no padding at all in boxes and really tappeed them up. They filled my 3.4 ton truck bed and took them to UPS and sent then directly to the owner of Laguna. It cost well over 100$ in 1980 money. I felt great afterr that.Decades later I was at a wood fire gallery opening and my old Laguna friend (clay body guy John Pacina was there and after decades of phone talking we meet face to face at the opening in Eureka Ca,) I told him my old story-little did I know UPS took those huge heavy boxes upstaire to the owners office and left them. He came to work next day and got really mad as he had to pack them all to the dumpsters downstairs . He said I was famous after that incident at Laguna.I felt it needed doing as a full time who knows how to bisque and rub my head while drinking tea. I later became pretty good friends again with him but I will add I always felt better after sending those bad clay pots.He did have better respect for me after that
It made my point and they made some body changes and that fixed it for some more years
I ordered some red clay for a friend in so-cal last year and it was fuba as well. Saved him as they only had a small amout =so he got shorted with only a smaller amout of the stuff.
That said it can go sideways ina second.
 

I have been a free weebly user for a really LONG time. many many years now. I also was with square as soon as they started. That all said Square bought out Weebly and now have only a fee based system for weebly square . I will add that Mea also turned me on to Weebly long ago. The flat rate for a simple pay for a year site was 110$ paid up front. I have yet to be forced into that as my free site is still running (i'm not looking ever for e-commerce). When it does go away I'll pay up. I'm near the end of wanting much of a website . It does drive my long time customers  spread over the west my way and does pay for itself in spades when I have to pay for it.I'm getting to not want more work and my wholsale is plenty . I did just send out 42 mugs to one customer who realized I will be dead and he will run out of my mugs so he bought a lifetime supply he said.Now thats a weird thought for me.

I have squarespace and I'm fond of it. I've used their ecommerce system and it's pretty user friendly. I like how it works with square card readers to streamline online and physical inventory levels. 

I just remembered that last year Mea mentioned she switched from Weebly to GoDaddy as her blog and website builder. I just had a look at their pricing, and the non-shopping systems are all quite affordable. The one tier that offers e-commerce is comparable to both Square’s top end and Shopify’s most affordable. All 3 of the latter have comparable service offerings. 

I have used Weebly for a long time and it works well. I use their shopping system, too.