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Making A Line Of Work- Start With A Forms List


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As a functional studio potter for over 4 decades I thought I would share my current forms list with you

This list does not cover all pots I currently make like two size square plates and two size dinner plates-thats why there are blank lines in the form. I also make several sizes of different forms not on the list like small rectangle baking dishes for example.

As the list changes over the years and I add a form I try to take one off. The list is currently at 35 lines and I have a few extras-Not so many years ago I did not make sponge holders but had pincushions . I like to hold the line at 30 some forms no more.

Once you have mastered a form and it sells well you start to build your list. These are forms I offer my outlets -not all outlets but some

Keep your list fluid to what works for both parties-wholesale or consignment or retail at shows for yourself.

 

I have another list for limited forms like say a wholesale mug outlet.I'm currently in a New large Natural Foods store in a small town I always wanted to have a outlet in (think Whole foods like)I started working on this deal with the owner when store was a set of blueprints and just an idea. Now in my 4th month its about 1k a month in mug sales with a 60/40 split turning to whole sale next year for mugs and sponge holder only.I go there every two weeks to fill stock orders.

This list is longer than most potters have but I have been at this a long while.When something slows down It off the list.

 

 

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On another note a home office is also needed-it can be a small space but I need a word program a computer with a printer/copier and a  cup of coffee.

The great news on this space is -its just like your studio space all a write off in square footage  in .

terms as a percentage of whatever covered space you have.

For an example lets say you have a small house and for this example your studio and home are totaling 1000 square feet the studio and home office are 30% of that thousand square feet. Your write off against things like heat and taxes and homeowners insurance  all utilities like garbage and phone would be 30%.

I just am throwing this in there for you folks who have a business in clay. This does not apply to hobbyists who do not sell work or have a business.

It also means bookkeeping-lots of record keeping.

Back to the forms list-I make these in rotation depending on whats needed. I make a list of needs at the end of a art show and work from that unless one or more outlet request certain forms which I make as needed.I tend to have a van full of all the forms all the time and work on filling any holes in that stock .

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Joy

I keep a pile of printed sheets so I could scan them in a crash but I have a better back up than that as well. I have yet too have a crash on any of my macs since the really 90s and I have a time machine that automatically backs up onto a 2-3 tera disc.Good computers cost more but I found they are worth it.My last one was 5k but it has all the bells and whistles .

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I am going to have to scale down. I have one sunroom for storage/packing and another sunroom for photographing, plus a studio and kiln shed. It is, as mark says, a great tax deduction. Hope everyone has a happy holiday.

We have macs and time machine too. It is a real life saver if you get a virus and have to delete to before the contact. Then just start it at that time.

 

Marcia

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