Mark C.

Oldlady Its not my town but a town nearby. Our Fair has two parades one each day at 1 pm I have done this fair since the 1st one in 1974 and am on the board whom runs the fair-we are called the same old people the Saturday parade around the plaza (and show) is called All Species-this parade is also been going on the longest back when our show was a one day in the 70s and 80s now its two days past 35 year or so here is this years all species-It was a ariny day but the rain stopped just before the parade and the dancers where dry the whole way around the square. I love this show-we are looking for more potters so feel free to apply as potters are rare around here these days The second link is the Sunday Samba Parade which is over the top now-this was filmed about 20 feet from my pottery booth.

Its all part of a slow down plan I started when I was 63. I stopped doing my most successful show (twice a year in Temps AZ for 24 years). I was driving to Tempe at age 63 and heard the famous Beatles song when I'm 64 and in that moment decided that when I was 64 I was not going to do the show anymore (its a solid two day drive) Since then I cut 8 shows to 6 than to 4 and then to 3 then covid hit. When I gave up myTempe show (in early Dec and springtime) I also did my local outlets and my xmas booth as well at that time.At that time my xmas season brought in about 25-30% of all income. December was a huge month for me for about 35 years. I thought I had saturated my local market area. Then when I had that production time off I fell into a local organic suoper market sales situation and expanded to 4 local orgainic markets. That turned into more money that the shows I stopped doing. Change can be rewarding in ways one does not expect .I quit 1/2 those markets during covid buying craze as it was to much to keep up with in 2021. After working and selling twice as much as a normal years in 2020/2021 I needed to really slow it down more. The tax man really made out those years My xmas booth is about 15% of total yearly sales so its not really that slow for me-no recliner chair yet in this house . What it really is now after a 50 years of my own retailing directly -now its down to one show and 8 local outlets and one huge wholesale account . My plan as it evolves now is work for a few months and then take a few off to keep a stockpile of work to supply outlets. I also have studio assistant so it all needs to work for us .I have commited to two large orders a year to my Harmony Gallery outlet down on the central coast (near where Hulk lives) Its a new phase for me and I know whats I'm cutting out next when I need to hit the brakes again. I was talking to a full timer like me potter friend who lives in Santa Barbara (he is slowed it down already) and we both have lost the mental drive to make a ton of work and hit the road and bring home 15-20K from shows on trip and then do it all over again and again. It's just gone now at this age.It's no longer about money. I still like the making/firing and selling just not as much as I used to.Caly has been good to me-kept me in shape and will in the future. I have many other interests as well-always have. Life is short and for me at times I feel I'm way past my due date (as Jackson Brown says on his new CD). I was on a 24 day dive trip in Bali two months ago (47 beach dives in 18 days with a camera) so I am still able to move well. We shall see how it evolves from here-tax prep in on my horizion now-oh ya I need to stock up the markets and shops after they got wiped out at xmas tomorrow and the next day

Well after 43 years I packed up my last xmas pottery booth . I flew a sign past 12 days telling customers I would not have this booth next year at xmas. Get my work in September at my only show I will be doing . They where not as happy about as I am to say the least but-they still have options Its in same small town (15K population) only its 3rd weekend in Sept. I have build upo a huge following in those consecutive 43 years I'm already supplying 8 local outlets as well , dropping off pottery about every 2-4 days at xmas as well.Since I was in my later 20s I have always had this booth in the same shopping center -in front of a large drug store (its changed these names all thru my years-value giant,payless, longs drugs, rite aid ,CVS) In front of Safeway for 5 more years and then the past 12-15 years in front of locally owned pet store. The money has been great as has the customers but as I approach 70 its in my plan to slow it down and this xmas I put the booth away permanently (this booth is made just for this location) -not the sales racks but the lockable booth. I have a younger potter friend I'm, hoping to give the whole deal to if his health gets better. I offered it free of charge and would set him up in it if he is able next year or the following. I have permission from 4 property owners around town for signage in their years and I and pass it all on if and its a big if he can do it. I operate booth from 12-5 weekdays 11-5 Friday-sat sun. Those hours I learned from decades of messing with the best profitable hours. I also have sales help and have paid them well so they always wanted to come back-all the things you learn over time. Next xmas eve I will not be packing up that booth or driving 30 times into town last few weeks before xmas. Yes less sales but thats the idea-that town sells my work in 3 locations year around anyway-not this huge selection but alot of choices. Its a new transition for me-iI think I made my last canister sets for example and now dinnerware will only be made to order small stuff like that. I'm cutting back on forms (no longer 35 ) My wrist will like this change as well as its not happy right now. I'm leaving that flying dog in the window behind now Merry Christmas all

Vases are a slow sellers for me except at holiday times like this week and Valentine's Day and Mothers day You need to know not only what sells best but When it sells best to take advantage of the market. Keep making spoon rests -I can do 48 in about 40-45 minutes (one pug cut into 48 pieces) No trimmers they are recession proof after 25 years I just raised my price on them last year Gas is up 60-70+ percent last bill (todays bill came and it was $1,313) for big kiln and 4 small kiln glaze fires.

I used to know many folks with those Astro minivans doing shows. Seems at some point I learned to super size the inventory of pottery and never run out of stock-that was the beginning of greater profits and larger vehicles to hold so lots of stock. That idea really worked well for me for over 25 years.You laerned what the show limits where and what to take in larger volumes

One ton extended cargo van chevy 6 liter gas. Holds 2 tons if needed.I keep my booth in it as well (they all fit flat in side wall two shelve story box on wall of van inside as well as two canopies in Yakama space case up top and pro panels up top in custom box. Van hold up to 70 banana boxes of pots for a run of shows. I only use it for work 9full time potter) it stays full and I just add to it. Many use here use mini vans as they use the car for other things. I have had a dedicated vehicle for pottery for many decades -Used to be a 3/4 ton pickup with a shell on back with roof rack ,then its been a few vans. Bought them new and ran the heck out of them . Now that I'm down to one show a year this van (2010) with 94k on it will be my last van.

I like to use other potters mugs-in fact we have a ton of them stacked two high in the cupboard and at least another spare cupboard full. Most I have bought from the potters themselves -say 99% Most where at art shows I did-doing 10-12 shows a year for decades and decades you tend to meet other potters I have a Don Sprague whom I have never met-but that may be the exception-it was at the Seattle folklife festival which I did for 5 straight years selling pots in early 2000's and the Seattle center next tio show has a ceramics gallery where i picked that one up..Once in the late 70s in that same gallery I saw a Tom Coleman pot that I loved but could not afford at that time On other forms from potters most I have met We had Tom Coleman come do a workshop decades ago (at laest 30 yaers) and i got a few pieces from him then at a reasonable cost same with Robbin Hopper-He did it a bit different and you bought work he made at workshop that and bisueed it as it was not glazed and you finish it. I salt fired one of his platters-I still have an unfired large bowl that I need to fire Same with Otto and Vivika Heino as I have some of his work (they where great people with the best stories) Those workshops we put on back then as a guild (long gone now) put the Heinos and the Robin Hopper up in our homes as you would a friend I did a pot exchange with Warren Mackenzie and never met him as well-in fact my cat broke his pot and we did it again I also had one of my customers give me a Warren piece he won at a auction. He did not like it as it was a earthy glaze (my favorite) He lived in Minnesota and thats where the auction was. They used to live here (redwood coast) and drove here every other year to vistit relatives and fill their van with my pottery. They would come at kiln openings in the summer. After 50 years in this you meet a lot of potters -some want to trade with you and some you want to trade and some you just buy. Trades are my favorite

Anchorage winter is a no for me. Its been in the upper 20s in the early am and I just fired two gas kilns (last fires of 2022). I'm firing natural gas and the lines do not freeze up (2 inch pipes). My old body expecially the hands do not work well in the upper 2 Propane will freeeze up in cold temps at the tank valves. Lets see if some midwesterners chine in on this. since most here are electric kiln folks we may not get thios answered staright away. You could be making snow globes ?

ine 1227 has this lid brace as well-Hulks photos shows it well. Use a small center punch to dimple the metel than drill a smaller hole in new metal band for screws

Yes on the insurance issue with at least a homemade kiln-my potshop and kilns are not covered by my home owners insurance (this was done in the 70s or early 80s) but the shop (detached) is covered for fire (12k) through my business liability insurance. Now 12 k will not build a new shop and replace my 5 Brent wheels and two Peter puggers and an electric kiln and huge roofed area and all the materials- grinders and two gas kilns ,buts it something. In terms of wood fired kilns our county in rural areas does not restrict them (but we are in a very rural part ) in extreme NorthernCalifornia wood buring is still a go as not much population is here and we have the cleanest air in the state usually (unless it a wildfire nearby)Which is about every other year now.

I think a call to Skutt is your only option to answer your question ask about all the points others above brought up.

I wouuld pass on this kiln as Neil stated the reasons and I agree with them all. I sold one in good condition for 350$ two years ago to a person who is only bisquing in it. Thats what that kiln is good for really with the old style control boxes with plugs

I wrote a bunch on wax a few yaers ago. if do a search on wax. I have the good stuff still (hopefully for my duration) and just tested Forbes wax (our local shop sells it) for a friend and it was the second best-highwater clay online sells it. I am super picky on good wax. With good wax and a damp cut spoonge to apply it you can get that line you like without taping for sure

I am a gas reduction fire cone 10 guy with an electric kiln that is only occasionally used to bisque only in. I started 50 years ago and made my own gas kilns-I have three right now-a downdraft car kiln -gas-35 cubic feet a small updraft -12 cubic feet-gas a 24 cubic foot gas salt kiln and a skutt 10 cubic foot electric.I started when you could run your own gas lines and build a kiln and the building inspector would sign off after looking it over. In most places in the US those days are long gone-now you need a factory made kiln with all the safety stuff and the spec plate that says so. These days you can find a high quality used gas kiln for 4k$ to 7k-say a Geil or a Baily if you look hard. I recently found one for a friend a Geil for 6 k -18 cubic feet and saw a few largher for about the same $ As us old timers retire kilns are poping up on the market all the time these days If looking for new look into Cooper kilns in Colorado as they cost less new https://www.cooperworkskilns.com For a gas kiln you need space on your property and gas either Natural (best) or propane Kilns (all need to be protected from the weather (shed ,shack, roof ,etc) The kilns mentioned all have safety equipment on them and a inspector will sigh you off on the install, You will need a plumber to run the gas line All these kilns will need to be trucked to you.

Hulk Glazing is one of my favorite parts (its never been throwing as most like) I also love glaze making and testing-seeing the tests(usually a bust) The firing (with gas) is the next favorite.

I'm sticking to the #6 wire and a 50 amp breaker. If you want a 40 amp breaker fine smaller breaker is the safety in this case I have had 4 skutt kilns in 5 decades and they underrated the old ones badly. I blew breakers and melted a J box ,overheated wires in the 70'sand 80's Upsided the wires all to #6 -hardwired the kilns and zero issues since. I said it before- bigger wire is always better. This was my experience . I also learned the top cone the kiln plate spec was overrated as well and was really not accurate, say cone 8 for example in an old 181 or 231 or a 1227 with 2.5 inch wall. The plugs between sections wore out fast (from heat) as did the elements. Of course Skutt discontinued this old plugs between sections to newer better materials Skutt always overrated those old kilns on the spec plates I have learned that spec plates are not always right. In todays kilns, get a cone 10 kiln for cone 6 fires not a cone 8 kiln for cone 6 fires. Once you melt a few wires and boxes and toast a few breakers one usually gets it. I think the newer Skutts are more acurate in terms of specs. Better 3 inch walls and wiring now.

THHN is better wire (needs to be in conduit( this is more about the wire insulation type and strands . The better insulation takes more heat and costs more.I use a lot of THHN in life when pulling wires to pump sheds and conduit runs. NM Romex would be fine for a 30 amp kiln with the 125% rule 50 amps use #6 wire as that covers the 125% rule-you can still use the 40 amp breaker but it may trip and you will then need a 50amp when it comes to wire size you are far better off to go big. (yes it costs more but kiln use demands it)

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.

I wore out one wrist and a thumb bone in left hand. Missing three bones now in right wrist (PRC) and left thumb bone taken last year in left hand. The Wrist is also from some injury long ago (unknown) and throwing for so long did not help. This is 50 years of heavy production throwing so others need not worry.'Yes arthritis in all fingers and hands-but alas its also an age deal. The plus sides-its kept my back and body in good shape. Its made me strong (age slows this down a bit) . I had a one time incredible hand grip. I move clay 12 times from pick up to sale. Pallet moving into truck then hand offload to clay shed) You do 8-12 tons a year for many many decades you either get strong or quit.I got strong The biggest positive I can say is lifestyle. its given me freedom and focus and more learning than one could ever ask for. I had a lifetime of fixed dates I had to work the rest of the time was mine to work or play when I wanted. Its also had some great side effects as I needed to master plumbing (to build kilns-I have done 12 at least) I needed electrical skills so I worked with my best friend an electrical contractor back when I had an off season-learned those skills. I need more space so I worked witha carpenter friend and we built some more pot shop space and a few outbuildings. Early in my carrier I did not have two dimes to rub together . Later after figuring out my markets (shows and outlets) It gave me financial freedom. Yes its taken a toll on the body but the mind and spirit have has tremendous uplifts You learn to be humble as clay/glaze/fire always will lay you out sooner or later-whether its a ruined load of pots from bad clay or pitted glaze or some other large mistaka. You lewarn to move thru it and move on. I just throw the laod away and throw another and try to understand the whys. I love being a potter and the same fire I had at 18 with clay is still there in this old mans body.

Make it out of stainless steel-easy and it will not break

Well after opening my 43 annual xmas booth this year during a huge storm I as of now am thinking this is my last xmas doing it. The money is great but I'm at a point where I want to feel what a normal xmas is with only supplying my 7-8 outlets at Xmas and not selling my own work at my booth. I have done this booth every year straight since 1979. I think I'm getting to the point where the time is what I want back. I have had great sales help but that is getting tougher and this year is the last for my crew (they are my age as well). I was wresting the doors closed thought hey this would be great not to doing this anymore. My plan was to slow it down at 70 and thats in March, really for me its xmas day as thats when all the demand slows again. I told my partner and she was happy to hear that maybe next year no more xmas booth .Only a fire left to do as I;m done throwing for the year and just need a huge claen up fire. I close the booth for 3 days starting Monday to do just that.

I would have gone broke if I had to brush glazes 49 years ago At my cone 10 firing temps I dip and pour ,I do a use a sponge to underglaze my fish with my own glazes. I wipe it on and then off so the low spotrs (scales show ) then over pour a glaze on top.

It amazing how cutting down can make more money. Weather its an employee or shows. Less is more at times I used to do 12 shows a year and when I cut that back and did less and had more inventory at the shows I did I made more money that year. Having more inventory at a show you make more $. I kept cutting shows back as I aged and still made more money. The show expense food and lodging all added up or didn't making me more $. Finding the sweet spot -well thats a bit harder. I have had a part time as needed studio assistant for over 30 years and am not letting her go yet. Next year we are going to try a new schedule -month ot two on month or two off. I'm setting my xmas booth up today with wares-its my 42rd year in this shopping center. Booth runs 5-66 hours a day and I have sales help. I'll run it for 13 days this year. Fri-sat-sun. close for 3 days (will bisque and glaze and fire) then reopen thru and run everyday till midafternoon xmas eve. Next year one local show and if I choose maybe this xmas booth-we shall see. I still have 7 -8 wholesale outlets as well selling my work daily.All local but one (my best one) I'm done throwing this year a bit early for me.I think I have the most wares ever this time of year in stock.The economy has softened compared to last year which was over the top. Sales have returned to normal this year .