nancylee Posted April 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Thank you all so much. You have given me excellent suggestions and lots of great ideas. I am going to move my wheel up this weekend. The other thing I can think about is that we have a house that was supposed to be sold and wasn't - my son is going to rent it to buy it. It's got a nice garage with light, and water right in the next room, and it's close to where I work, so I can go there right after school. I may move my studio there. Thank you! nancy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Neil that is an excellent hot water solution. Love the fact it is 120. Mine is small like this but it eats up 2 slots in the breaker for a 20 amp 220 breaker. Had to have electrician wire it into the box. And this one does not need to be hung on the wall - sits on the floor. It's not big, but big enough for filling a bucket of throwing water or washing hands. I had never seen one before I moved into my current studio. Love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claygram Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 my work space is in my cellar and for 25 years i have been using buckets to bring water down from my kitchen and back outdoors to dump it. i find i use very little water to throw and do not mix glazes in more than five gallon amounts. i am not a "production" potter, but do make enough for a few craft sales which clear my shelves and make room for more. a few years ago i had a web site ready to go but after giving it much thought, decided i would really hate taking orders and shipping. guess i work at a different pace than many and really enjoy the customers. best of luck in your new endeavor and remember to make that which you enjoy--i found nothing is worse than trying to make what somebody else wants....takes away all the pleasure. sincerely ginny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronfire Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 My hot water comes from the bucket on the wood stove in cold weather. Working studio is a 10x15 corner with 2 kilns . Finished product goes out to the sales studio. Now I just need to sell stuff from the studio instead of shows and online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancylee Posted April 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2016 So I came up with an order form with the following on it: Name and Address of customer. Date ordered Date due Item Size Glaze choice Inscription Any extras like a Paw or Bone? And then I have a list at the bottom to cross off as I finish each one: Thrown Trimmed Bisqued Glazed Final Fire Shipped with date Does that seem to cover everything? I also put the price and shipping on the form. And for extra fun, I can't center anymore. I keep getting that swirl in the middle of the clay, and I can pop it up and push it down a thousand times, it's still there. I'm losing my mind. Nancy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glazenerd Posted April 11, 2016 Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 Any extras like a Paw or Bone? Change this to "Custom Features": You are specifying a type of custom feature- might get confusing. Date due should be Date due < in bold is a glaring reminder of when you have to have it finished. Name and Address of customer>> Customer Name/Address -- the less you have to read- the better. Thrown:_________________________ Trimmed:________________________ Bisqued:_________________________ Do not forget the lines: helps keeps your eyes focused on the line you are reading. Glazed Final Fire Shipped with date If you plan on printing this on an 8.5 x 11 piece of paper- try using double space0 easier to read. or put two orders on one page @ 1.5 spacing. Nerd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S. Dean Posted April 11, 2016 Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 You've probably already thought of this, but add in some additional contact info for the customer such as phone number and email. That way all the information you need is in one place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted April 11, 2016 Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 Lots of great advice. The only thing I would add is to spend the bulk of your time finding those 10 daily orders you mention. I have no idea how many of orders you have now are filtered through friends and family but once you are doing this full time those guys are not likely going to be good for 300 orders a month and organizing can be done any time and on the fly but marketing and bringing in steady orders has to be the top of the list or the rest of it is for naught. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancylee Posted April 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2016 Lots of great advice. The only thing I would add is to spend the bulk of your time finding those 10 daily orders you mention. I have no idea how many of orders you have now are filtered through friends and family but once you are doing this full time those guys are not likely going to be good for 300 orders a month and organizing can be done any time and on the fly but marketing and bringing in steady orders has to be the top of the list or the rest of it is for naught. Hi, I sell on etsy - that's where all of my orders come from. Instagram and Facebook haven't brought in any orders. I'm going to try advertising on Facebook, but I'm having trouble as they keep telling me I have an issue with my seller's account, and since I've never had a seller's account and they won't respond back to me, I haven't done that yet. I'm looking into a flyer or brochure to cop at some vet's offices also. Thanks, Nancy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted April 12, 2016 Report Share Posted April 12, 2016 sounds like you are on it. Mind sharing how many orders your getting a day/week/month on etsy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancylee Posted April 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 sounds like you are on it. Mind sharing how many orders your getting a day/week/month on etsy? I was getting one every few weeks, then a few weeks ago I started getting maybe one a week, then maybe two, now I'm getting 2 to 4 orders a week. I got two last night. I am getting nervous because I have a year to go until retirement! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 Thanks Nancy, we are just setting up and its great to hear what others are doing. Congrads on the uptick! Maybe by the time retirement comes around you will have half your daily orders covered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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