GEP

I’ve been using neodymium magnets as glazing tools too, thanks to @Min suggesting this to me several years ago. Can confirm that this is a game changer! I have my inside magnet wrapped in fabric held on by a rubber band. The fabric helps cushion the magnet so it doesn’t disturb the liner glaze, and the rubber band “stem” is like a handle. My outside magnet has a big eye bolt as a handle. 
I’ve learned to keep them stored on two different shelves, otherwise they will seek each other out and stick together, and it takes a lot of strength to pry them apart! 

Quieter than the vacuum cleaner method!
Looks good.

My husband uses some really strong magnets that he can turn on and off with the handle.  I am goi g to need to “borrow” one   
I have a thing for magnets in general and kinda mad that I didn’t think of this before.  
 
Genius I say!!

I’ve been using neodymium magnets as glazing tools too, thanks to @Min suggesting this to me several years ago. Can confirm that this is a game changer! I have my inside magnet wrapped in fabric held on by a rubber band. The fabric helps cushion the magnet so it doesn’t disturb the liner glaze, and the rubber band “stem” is like a handle. My outside magnet has a big eye bolt as a handle. 
I’ve learned to keep them stored on two different shelves, otherwise they will seek each other out and stick together, and it takes a lot of strength to pry them apart! 

I’ve been using neodymium magnets as glazing tools too, thanks to @Min suggesting this to me several years ago. Can confirm that this is a game changer! I have my inside magnet wrapped in fabric held on by a rubber band. The fabric helps cushion the magnet so it doesn’t disturb the liner glaze, and the rubber band “stem” is like a handle. My outside magnet has a big eye bolt as a handle. 
I’ve learned to keep them stored on two different shelves, otherwise they will seek each other out and stick together, and it takes a lot of strength to pry them apart! 

I’ve been using neodymium magnets as glazing tools too, thanks to @Min suggesting this to me several years ago. Can confirm that this is a game changer! I have my inside magnet wrapped in fabric held on by a rubber band. The fabric helps cushion the magnet so it doesn’t disturb the liner glaze, and the rubber band “stem” is like a handle. My outside magnet has a big eye bolt as a handle. 
I’ve learned to keep them stored on two different shelves, otherwise they will seek each other out and stick together, and it takes a lot of strength to pry them apart! 

I’ve been using neodymium magnets as glazing tools too, thanks to @Min suggesting this to me several years ago. Can confirm that this is a game changer! I have my inside magnet wrapped in fabric held on by a rubber band. The fabric helps cushion the magnet so it doesn’t disturb the liner glaze, and the rubber band “stem” is like a handle. My outside magnet has a big eye bolt as a handle. 
I’ve learned to keep them stored on two different shelves, otherwise they will seek each other out and stick together, and it takes a lot of strength to pry them apart! 

I’ve been using neodymium magnets as glazing tools too, thanks to @Min suggesting this to me several years ago. Can confirm that this is a game changer! I have my inside magnet wrapped in fabric held on by a rubber band. The fabric helps cushion the magnet so it doesn’t disturb the liner glaze, and the rubber band “stem” is like a handle. My outside magnet has a big eye bolt as a handle. 
I’ve learned to keep them stored on two different shelves, otherwise they will seek each other out and stick together, and it takes a lot of strength to pry them apart! 

Glazing tools and tips brought up in this thread, starting a new thread as this should probably be in the Studio Operations section.
This is how I use magnets when glazing, no tong marks, drips or finger marks on the glaze. It’s been a game changer for me with the pots I dip. Flat bottoms on pots work the best but you can do rounded bottoms, it’s just a bit less stable while dipping. 
- liner glaze the inside like usual
- rare earth magnet(s) wrapped in a scrap of plastic with twist tie inside the pot. twist tie is used as a handle. keep the twist tie below the rim of the pot
- another rare earth magnet(s) with a flat head bolt for a handle on outside of pot
- fishing magnet used for larger pots, they come with a handle so don't need a flat head bolt for a handle
-number of magnets needed determined by pot weight (and base thickness). I try to use just enough to be adequate to pull the pot from the glaze but not more or else they can be fiddly to remove. for tiny pots I use 1/2 pieces of broken magnets.
- hold the pot by the bolt and push the pot into glaze then lift it out. (rotate the pot slightly to have any excess glaze roll around the rim) 
- when the pot is dry enough to touch at base area turn it over and remove magnet(s) from either side. 20 seconds or so for most glazes. I hold the pot on the outside bottom of the pot when flipping over 
- you can slide the pot onto the edge of a counter while removing the outside magnet if you don’t want to wait for the glaze to dry enough to hold onto the pot, or stuff your hand inside the pot to move it to a ware board.
- when I first started glazing like this I got a couple blood blisters, don't pinch your fingers, those magnets are strong!!!! I use the ones from Lee Valley tools. (to separate them use an edge of a counter and push them apart)
Anyhow, that’s it, simple and it works. I tried to think of a way to market the magnet glazing but life got in the way.

I get the whole range too, from “what is this made out of?” to “what cone and atmosphere?” I think my favorite customers are not necessarily the technically knowledgable, but the ones who care a great deal about home design and function, i.e. making their home into a space where they feel happy. 
Over the years, I have found that as I moved up into a higher tier of craft shows, I really don’t meet the clueless ones anymore. And the ones who don’t know much about ceramics are at least smart people in general and know how to ask intelligent questions. 
I also like to talk shop with other potters. They aren’t necessarily interested in buying, they want to learn. That’s fun for me too. 

This week we have another question from the pool for the QotW:  This comes from two folks on the forum, @Min and @Kelly in AK . . . brought up an Issac Button video and just how much physical work was involved in his making pots. My suggestion for a QOTW comes from Kelly's thread and would be how has the physicality of making pots effected you? Positives and negatives. 
QotW: How has the physicality of making pots effected you? Please include Positives and Negatives.
This is something I have often considered in my own life of teaching, and working with mostly clay while teaching and working at home. I am a small man, even more so than when younger weighing in at 180 at my heaviest for about 6 months. These days I weigh in at 150. I used to wedge 15-25# of clay at a time in the classroom, and at home.
This would allow me to demonstrate the effectiveness of different wedging techniques, Kneading, Rams Head and Cone. It was because I worked with the clay so much that I was able to do this. However, the process of wedging, as much as it is maligned for its wear on wrists and joints, it was a blessing for me. I found that days when I was feeling large amounts of soreness in my back making it difficult to get out of bed that wedging would make me feel so much better.. I believe it was the rocking motion along with the shoulder pushing my torso upwards would stretch the spine. So a Positive. 
Negative, over the years the throwing has reshaped the joints in my hands, left hand fingers 1 and 2 now naturally bend to fit together as when pulling on the inside of a pot. They never straighten out unless forced. Right hand fingers want to always rest as if holding a sponge in the hand and making a pull.
All of the work has made my hand strength surprise folks that shake with me, and  others when they find that I can lift and move much more than they would have expected for my size and age. All good!
 
best,
Pres

So my big tip is what Roberta already said-when things get tight (recession -slow down -inflation) make smaller things. I have done this for over 4 decades and it always works.
I usually make more money in the slow times just by switching to smaller forms and lots of them.
as to Jens comment 
(But making a living means you will spend a lot of time NOT doing the part you love.)
Thats just a potters life and its all poart of the lifestyle-I'm not keen on all the bookkeeping but its part of the bigger picture which is the part I like. You cannot always just eat the frosting.
I feel your statement is what separates hobbyist from Professionals . I got over the parts I did not like in the 70s. This will be my last year of selling over 100k in ceramics and I can tell you there are parts I do not like but they get done just as well as the parts I do like.
Jen is spot on about slowly getting into it-the long haul while doing other things is the best way to ease into a potters life. Working side jobs while making is a good idea.
For me I never once had the thought I would be a full time potter as a job its was organic over time-it was more about passion than work and its just became my life without much thought-that was in the late 70s.

@DirtRoads About 10 years ago I was doing a lot of wholesale work and feeling overwhelmed by the workload. So I sat down with my accountant and said “I think I need an employee” with the intention of creating an EIN and a payroll system. But my trusty accountant said, without pausing at all “DON’T DO IT.” He said I would spend all of my time being a manager instead of a potter, I would make the same amount of money, and I would be a lot less happy. He told me to restructure my business so I could handle it by myself instead. I took his advice and started phasing out my wholesale accounts, and got rid of them completely in a year or two. And started doing more and better shows. Now I make fewer pots and a lot more money. And I’m much happier than I was. 
I figure he has 100+ clients, all self-employed and small businesses, and he has seen all of the mistakes that business owners make. It’s a common fallacy, that a bigger operation can make more money. And being a manager really sucks! It’s far more valuable to be selective and to say “no” to things that aren’t really productive. It’s great to have someone in my corner who has that kind of perspective. 

While new to pottery - I’ve been around the block a few times when it comes to self employment.  (My handy hubs has been self employed most of our married life) 
I’m convinced you can make a living at almost anything.  But you may not actually want the kind of life that will require. 
Finding that sweet spot of profit/lifestyle balance is not easy  
This next part is going to sound harsh - but people who are asking that question - are rarely in the right place to do it.  That is usually people who have fallen deeply in love with something and want to find a way to do it full time.  (Something I completely understand) 
But making a living means you will spend a lot of time NOT doing the part you love.    
If you’re running a creative business is a very different animal than making full time.   Your making time is then at least partially dictated by what will sell.  You have to decide if that makes sense for you and is the life you want.  To jump in full time would require a substantial financial investment.  That’s overhead you will be spending hours to pay for when you may not have your product and niche figured out yet.
The barrier to entry as a side gig is much lower.   It gives you time to grow  and refine. There’s a reason a lot of successful potters start there.   After spending some time doing that - you will know what questions to really ask to determine if it’s a viable business opportunity for the life you want.
I am super blessed to be employed at a job that I enjoy, pays me well, and I am good at.  I let that job finance my creative endeavors.  Sometimes we forget that we don’t HAVE to monetize our creativity. 
 
Many blessings to you as you find your sweet spot. 

@Callie Beller Diesel my sales at my big show were about the same as last year.  However, I made a conscious decision to make more small items.  That worked for me.  Lot of ornaments and small dishes and small cups were sold.  A few larger pieces but not very many.  Our community is being faced with the closing of some large enterprises and groceries have doubled in cost.  My heart goes out to younger families with kids.  There is still the push to buy local and for many, the desire to purchase handcrafted.  Just a lower price point.  As one of the organizers of the local market, I will be able to see sales numbers in about a month as the sales taxes roll in.  I will be able to do more comparison then.
r.

@DirtRoads About 10 years ago I was doing a lot of wholesale work and feeling overwhelmed by the workload. So I sat down with my accountant and said “I think I need an employee” with the intention of creating an EIN and a payroll system. But my trusty accountant said, without pausing at all “DON’T DO IT.” He said I would spend all of my time being a manager instead of a potter, I would make the same amount of money, and I would be a lot less happy. He told me to restructure my business so I could handle it by myself instead. I took his advice and started phasing out my wholesale accounts, and got rid of them completely in a year or two. And started doing more and better shows. Now I make fewer pots and a lot more money. And I’m much happier than I was. 
I figure he has 100+ clients, all self-employed and small businesses, and he has seen all of the mistakes that business owners make. It’s a common fallacy, that a bigger operation can make more money. And being a manager really sucks! It’s far more valuable to be selective and to say “no” to things that aren’t really productive. It’s great to have someone in my corner who has that kind of perspective. 

@DirtRoads About 10 years ago I was doing a lot of wholesale work and feeling overwhelmed by the workload. So I sat down with my accountant and said “I think I need an employee” with the intention of creating an EIN and a payroll system. But my trusty accountant said, without pausing at all “DON’T DO IT.” He said I would spend all of my time being a manager instead of a potter, I would make the same amount of money, and I would be a lot less happy. He told me to restructure my business so I could handle it by myself instead. I took his advice and started phasing out my wholesale accounts, and got rid of them completely in a year or two. And started doing more and better shows. Now I make fewer pots and a lot more money. And I’m much happier than I was. 
I figure he has 100+ clients, all self-employed and small businesses, and he has seen all of the mistakes that business owners make. It’s a common fallacy, that a bigger operation can make more money. And being a manager really sucks! It’s far more valuable to be selective and to say “no” to things that aren’t really productive. It’s great to have someone in my corner who has that kind of perspective. 

@DirtRoads About 10 years ago I was doing a lot of wholesale work and feeling overwhelmed by the workload. So I sat down with my accountant and said “I think I need an employee” with the intention of creating an EIN and a payroll system. But my trusty accountant said, without pausing at all “DON’T DO IT.” He said I would spend all of my time being a manager instead of a potter, I would make the same amount of money, and I would be a lot less happy. He told me to restructure my business so I could handle it by myself instead. I took his advice and started phasing out my wholesale accounts, and got rid of them completely in a year or two. And started doing more and better shows. Now I make fewer pots and a lot more money. And I’m much happier than I was. 
I figure he has 100+ clients, all self-employed and small businesses, and he has seen all of the mistakes that business owners make. It’s a common fallacy, that a bigger operation can make more money. And being a manager really sucks! It’s far more valuable to be selective and to say “no” to things that aren’t really productive. It’s great to have someone in my corner who has that kind of perspective. 

Best advice ever, @GEP  Especially the part about saying no to things that aren't really productive.   I have had people ask about part time work with me, but I think it would make me nuts.  I am pretty much in my own head when I am making.  I have even thought about what part of my work could I even have someone else do?  Not much.  A friend stayed with us for a few days.  She volunteered to do some sanding.  That was terrific, but I found myself going back over everything  and checking for rough spots.  What the Heck?  I don't consider myself a perfectionist by any means, but I guess I have a standard for my work going out into the world (QOTW) that I have to double check everything.  So yeah, I am happier working by myself.  
Roberta

@DirtRoads About 10 years ago I was doing a lot of wholesale work and feeling overwhelmed by the workload. So I sat down with my accountant and said “I think I need an employee” with the intention of creating an EIN and a payroll system. But my trusty accountant said, without pausing at all “DON’T DO IT.” He said I would spend all of my time being a manager instead of a potter, I would make the same amount of money, and I would be a lot less happy. He told me to restructure my business so I could handle it by myself instead. I took his advice and started phasing out my wholesale accounts, and got rid of them completely in a year or two. And started doing more and better shows. Now I make fewer pots and a lot more money. And I’m much happier than I was. 
I figure he has 100+ clients, all self-employed and small businesses, and he has seen all of the mistakes that business owners make. It’s a common fallacy, that a bigger operation can make more money. And being a manager really sucks! It’s far more valuable to be selective and to say “no” to things that aren’t really productive. It’s great to have someone in my corner who has that kind of perspective. 

@DirtRoads About 10 years ago I was doing a lot of wholesale work and feeling overwhelmed by the workload. So I sat down with my accountant and said “I think I need an employee” with the intention of creating an EIN and a payroll system. But my trusty accountant said, without pausing at all “DON’T DO IT.” He said I would spend all of my time being a manager instead of a potter, I would make the same amount of money, and I would be a lot less happy. He told me to restructure my business so I could handle it by myself instead. I took his advice and started phasing out my wholesale accounts, and got rid of them completely in a year or two. And started doing more and better shows. Now I make fewer pots and a lot more money. And I’m much happier than I was. 
I figure he has 100+ clients, all self-employed and small businesses, and he has seen all of the mistakes that business owners make. It’s a common fallacy, that a bigger operation can make more money. And being a manager really sucks! It’s far more valuable to be selective and to say “no” to things that aren’t really productive. It’s great to have someone in my corner who has that kind of perspective. 

This is going to sound terrible.   My best employee quit a few days ago because I thought i had made instructions clear about colors but guess I didn't.   I think I've just reached my limit in being a tactful manager.  Well, she could only glaze for the last year or two anyways.  I'm down to just Me in the studio ... and it's the happiest I've been in years.   I'm going to do all the making and glazing.   I'll have one person 3 days a week out front ... wed, thurs, friday waiting on customers and making jewelry.  That's all I really need out there.      Down 2 full time employees in the back now and I'm actually looking at more profit.   Almost zero production loss and the profit per sale is literally around 75 - 80% vs 20%.     The jewelry and fragrance sales way more than pay for the front studio labor.   I'm looking forward to the next year.   Just ordered 4000 pounds of clay and 8 gallons of glaze.    Plus I just got another 50 pounds of dry glaze.  Going to order my other dry glaze tomorrow.   So there will be no backing down
I'm sticking to this.    The numbers look really good.  Just the thought of only needed to load 2, maybe 3 kilns a week is delightful and I can make a really good profit on that.  Better than before.   I figured out each back studio employee was costing me the profit on at least 1 kiln.   So I was doing 2 .. even  3 kilns just to pay people.     I am so looking forward to this.   I'm actually enjoying the work back there now.   
 

When launching a business, it’s not very useful to ask “how long before it becomes profitable?” Because that answer will be different for every business. It depends on a lot of factors. 
What’s more useful is to say to yourself “I have $xxxxx in starting capital. How long will that last before I need the business to generate a profit?”
The former is a passive attitude, and the latter is a plan. 

Have you tried this approach?   I've done it for probably 8/11 years I've been in pottery.    And I am going back down to a just ME.   This has been extremely hard.   You do reach a point where you make really good money but you are constantly hawking production and keeping the merchandise churning out.   I've come down from 8 to about 1.5.   Today I dropped to about 1/2 employee.   I work less and see more money for me with less.   I can make a lot with a 8 person crew, but I'm working about 90-100 hours a week.   It's a lot of pressure .. or you will actually lose money.     I'm thinking I will have 1 person 2 or 3 days a week this year.  And see how it goes.

In my experience, teaching is not a good way to supplement your income as a potter. Teachers get paid very little! Even if you are a star who can teach weekend workshops that command a high fee, the ceiling on income is very low compared to how much you can earn for making/selling pots at a good quality art fair or craft show. Teaching is also very time-consuming, if you care about a doing a good job that is. I did one workshop near the end of the pandemic, only because there were no shows to do at the time. I enjoyed it, just to be around people again. But the amount of work and the pay involved is not something I would choose over doing shows. 
The pay for teaching weekly classes to recreational potters is even worse! When I reached a point in my pottery business where I could no longer teach weekly classes AND keep up with demand for my pots, it was a no brainer to drop the classes. I can see how it might be worth it if you OWN the classroom studio and also teach the classes, but not if you are just an employee.
These days I produce video lessons and sell them online. Once a video is finished, the income is almost totally passive. It’s the only way it makes sense for me to do it within my schedule. 
I don’t have experience teaching college level ceramics. I can see that the income/benefits/stability would actually provide a meaningful living. But I suspect that this is more about being an academic than a potter. Not better or worse per se, just not the same. I taught college level graphics courses a long time ago, and I found the academic environment to be very unpleasant. And the amount I was being paid to teach those classes was much less than I was making for my design work.