Marcia Selsor Posted October 6, 2014 Report Share Posted October 6, 2014 Prices are always going up on fuel, shipping, heat, etc. What advice can you offer others on how to keep their over manageable? Like buy local, mix your own glazes, etc. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted October 6, 2014 Report Share Posted October 6, 2014 Mix own glazes, buy in bulk, do not buy on a whim, like after a worklshop enthused with the new before you have figured out if it fits with your 'head' Look in op shops before buying the very specific mold or tool. Make your own everything. Never fire without a kiln full even if someone is banging on the door for their pots. Say no to orders w hich willl consume much time for little orthe same return as normal ware. Take time to calculate real cost and decide on that. Move to a lower firing cone if not already there. and lots more, eat rice not beef! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarlCravens Posted October 6, 2014 Report Share Posted October 6, 2014 Make your own everything. This can be false economy... if the time it takes you to learn to make and maintain tools, molds, etc exceeds the amount of money you earn making pots in the same period of time, make pots and buy the tools. I'm very DIY. Sometimes I'll make my own tools just for the sake of learning how to do it well... but if you're a professional potter, time is money, and time's basically the one thing in your studio that you can't buy more of. Even as a hobbyist, I found that the amount of time it would take to learn to make my own trimming tools in the style I want was time I'd rather spend making pots. For me, the hobby is making pots, not sharpening tools, and I can't compete with people who have dedicated careers to crafting, inventing and testing the kind of tool I want to use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted October 6, 2014 Report Share Posted October 6, 2014 Good point but some simple stuff have big dollars on them when in your own kitchen or shed there is an equivalent resource better put to use in the pottery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bciskepottery Posted October 7, 2014 Report Share Posted October 7, 2014 To gain savings in overhead, you have to be able/willing to invest in logical bulk items, e.g., clay, glaze materials, bags, tissue paper, etc. I generally buy my clay in bulk, the local supplier gives best prices in quantities of 500 lbs or more and allows you to mix types of clays. They also have reasonable prices for delivery (to include unloading and stacking in my garage studio) vs. the cost and time of driving to their location about 50 miles away. I prefer to make my own glazes, but was willing to figure out which materials I needed for the glazes I wanted and bought bulk (full bags vs 10 lbs.) where practical. Bags and tissue I buy in bulk from Uline; ikebana frogs/pins I buy in bulk from EZPots -- and with bulk you get free shipping. You have to check around to find the bests prices. Pottery is not something you can do on the cheap . . . it will show. I use to print my own business cards but have switched to Vistaprint because it was cheaper and they look better. Even if not cheaper sometimes you need to spend some money to present a professional appearance. I bought a good canopy; better to get a good one than to end up buying multiple cheapies that break with every wind gust/storm. Make your own weights, etc. I think it comes down to analyzing what you are doing and spending money on and then figuring out if you can find savings. I dropped one show this year because I did not make enough money to make the event worth my while. That allowed me to add another local show. Some shows offer early registration discounts, or add late payments . . . so get your stuff in on time. The big costs for shows are the booth fees (which we have little control/influence over), possible transportation, and meals (better and healthier to bring your own). One of the reasons I've stayed away from internet sales is the investment in overhead . . . bubble wrap, boxes, etc. that add to the cost of items. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted October 7, 2014 Report Share Posted October 7, 2014 throw away the clay supplier catalogue and never look at things they sell that can be bought used for lots less. of course you need the specific chemicals to make glaze but do you really need a $500 metal ware rack with wheels when any restaurant supply house sells used bakers racks for $50. add a sheet of thick drywall cut to fit the slots to make flat drying shelves for it. forget taping every edge of the drywall, you are not stupid and you will not get gypsum in your clay by resting things on the tops of the shelves. use your imagination when shopping for anything and notice what could be used in the studio, not just the kitchen, garage or wherever. old wire refrigerator racks are now pretty hard to come by but they make great drying shelves with air under the wires. and great for carrying things from place to place since they are light. who used the first stick blender to mix glaze??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted October 7, 2014 Report Share Posted October 7, 2014 When doing shows carry lunch and beverages. Buy/modify used kitchen tools for nearly everything with clay. Save used clay bags to recycle back into. Throw out anything plastic that is aged as it just crumbles if kept too long. Eat chicken instead of beef, especially if you are diabetic and can't eat starch like rice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denice Posted October 7, 2014 Report Share Posted October 7, 2014 I make sure I go to an estate sale that has a kiln listed in the inventory. I don't need the kiln but there might be supplies and tools, I bought a used kiln once just for the kiln furniture that came with it. The kiln was in bad shape but had a good lid and 4 shelves plus 50 new 6" stilts, cost me 100 dollars. Denice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Min Posted October 7, 2014 Report Share Posted October 7, 2014 Do your own kiln and equipment maintenance and repairs. Plus have spare elements and parts on hand so there is less downtime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusty Posted October 7, 2014 Report Share Posted October 7, 2014 Think local !!! I see alot of folks doing shows and alot of traveling, nothing wrong with that but you may be missing some local sales... Less fuel, less time in travel , more time to create, eat at home chicken, beef, rice, pork, fish and you can leave the ramen noodles on the shelf ... We have several types of shops in our area that we could sell ceramics "5 with in 6 miles", flower shops and outdoor stands.. Consignment shops etc. These places can keep funds coming in inbetween shows... Partner up!! at the more expensive booth shows, try to find someone who can split the cost with you.. We have a photagrapher in mind for the St. James art fair here in louisville.. if we get good enough to sell lol... Craigslist-yard sale / people come to you- doesnt mean you have to try to sell your high end work but there is only set-up time and your at home . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bciskepottery Posted October 8, 2014 Report Share Posted October 8, 2014 Working at home, in your own studio, is one way to manage overhead. Avoids the costs of monthly/quarterly fees for studio access at community studios or coops -- costs that you have to build into your prices to recover. A home studio requires an upfront investment, but pays off in the long run. Another idea . . . keeping receipts and having a good accountant. Some overhead cannot be avoided; but you can claim those expenses on your taxes. (note to self: follow your own advice). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted October 8, 2014 Report Share Posted October 8, 2014 I buy clay at the 12 ton price break as I organize a truck full at a time (22 tons) once a year. I bought 55#s (bulk buy from a speciality supplier) of cobalt carb and sold over 1/3 of it so my price was very low I have bought lots of mayerials in large quanities that will last me my career-kingman feldspar-Grestly Borate-albany slip I buy my bags by the bail at market supplier-I buy my unprinted newsprint a truckfull of roll ends at a time for 50$-lasts for years I buy tools and the items I do not make when on sale and keep a spare for when they wear out.I hate to have to go to the hardware store for an item I can stock. I build my own kilns and plumb them myself(need to have plumbing skills)-I do most all repairs myself-I ghave worked as an electrician so thats stuff is easy. Have a seperate gas meter on a better price for small commercial users-have my electric on a time of use plan so I use it when its cheaper as much as I can. My thought is learn all the trades and be less needy. they used to call it renaissance man. learn bookkeeping and record keeping skills-learn to make your own glazes I keep my overhead down whenever possible-I own all my own stuff-including house and studio-do not get in over your head ever! I share hotels at several venues with another potter to keep costs down. I keep a shed full of recycled free shippping stuff-bubble wrap -peanuts boxes all free.I can double box whatever for only the time it takes the materials are all free from contacts at other businesses. I never pay UPS to pick up-I just flag them down or in my case put up a orange flag for driver. I use the potters council discount on shipping buy my business cards in 5,000 lots from vista print when on sale for 1 cent each. I buy in bulk-I always have-it pays-from clay to coffee. If you are a hobbist these tips will are a bit over the top-only use what may apply-iF you are a professional they all apply. I trade whenever I can for whatever I need. This hase been gtreat over the years from Parts to vet service.Barter is better thay say. I leaned long separate vehicle for pottery work makes life much easier-I never empty my van -I only add to it-its 100% right off You spend so much energy moving stuff around-in the long run its crazy. My van is only used for pottery-not erands of any sort. A stand alone studio in the long run will also help you-not a converted bedroom-the whiole space is also a right off as well as your office. again not for hobbist- I will add this list has been over 40 years in the making.If you are just starting learn from it as much as you can-it will pay off. Do not use your bank merchant services to process credit card sales-use a smart phone or tablet with a square or Amazon/local reader for lower fees Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted October 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2014 Great advice, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted October 8, 2014 Report Share Posted October 8, 2014 Increase sales. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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