What's keeping you from being a full-time ceramic artist?

[Wendy Rosen]

It's been a tough few years but galleries and shops are beginning to

see light at the end of the tunnel... and it's not an oncoming train.

Last year the Philly show (Buyers Market) was back to the 2006 sales level.

Business is picking up and the White House wants to know what it will take

to make you start a business... this is my weekend homework for the White

House Biz Council. Please get your friends to join in... I need answers

quickly! -Wendy Rosen

[Big Electric Cat]

One reason would prevent me from becoming a full time ceramic artist :

 

Lack of benefits - Affordable health insurance, retirement plan, etc.

[Guest JBaymore]

Been basically a full time ceramist since the early 70's. There was no category for that in the poll.

 

best,

 

.............john

[Chris Campbell]

Yes Wendy, the poll appears to be a little skewed.

There is no category for "other" either ... A category I suspect would be full.

[AmeriSwede]

My reply echos Chris' ... in that there is no 'other' option.

 

I'm presently too busy renovating my house and studio, before I jump into ceramics at the level I intend to. And as a sculptor also working with other media, I choose to divide my time among the media... so ceramics would never be 'full time.'

[Pres]

That is pretty easy-Laziness, and Life gets in the way. Now that I am retired it is easier to relax, but I do have some desire lately to get started up again. However, there are some problems to overcome: Wifes health issues, unheated shop in PA winters, cleaning out shop after accumulated years of unuse. Hopefully some of these issues will be taken care of in a positive manner soon and I will overcome the laziness to boot!

[GEP]

I agree that the poll doesn't really reflect reality. In addition to adding "I am already a full-time potter," it should also include ...

 

I don't think I can produce enough pottery to make it work

I don't think I can sell enough pottery to make it work

 

Most of the choices in the poll are about external forces that really don't affect micro-businesses like a one or two person pottery studio. The truth about success as a self-employed craftsperson is that it mostly depends on the internal traits that an individual artist possesses, or not. Not much that government intervention can do about that. What's far more important is education to develop the traits that a working artist needs to have, both in terms of craft skill, and business know-how. I know first-hand that the Small Business Administration gives some really good classes, for free, about running a small business, but not enough people know about it. My suggestion is to have the SBA make these classes more available, and advertise them better.

 

Mea

[LawPots]

It strikes me that this isn't the best survey - it's got too many false choices. Your asking the sort of question "why don't you become a professional potter?" which, is a bit like saying "why aren't you a solo practitioner lawyer?" - you have to first establish that you have the training for it, then the inclination, then you can look at the economics of it. I love these forums, but i wouldn't dare compete as a full time potter at my current level of skill.