Mark C.

For me coaching was from the start as a kid. My older brothers where track stars-one was 11 years older the other 5 years older. The oldest went on to be Stanfords best high hurdler (on a scholarship) and went on to be an olympic athlete . The other was also on the record books so by the time I was in Junior high the coaches all knew what I was capable of. I grew up with a pole valult and high jump pit in backyard. I was the Junior highs best jumper. Turns out my older brother pulled his achilles tendon the meet befor the plane left for Toyko Olympics in 64 and dashed him from the team. He then quit his doctors training path and became an art professor later for 25 years in the california UC stystem at UCSB Santa Barbara in print making.  He died of melanoma cancer in 92. My other brother also excelled at art but took his life at 23.That  brother made it almost thru High school before his art interests overran the coaches interests . For me in Junior high seeing both brothers records still on the board the coaches (all track and fild and some gymnastics) had big plans and worked me to death. In late 9th grade I had enough as I wanted to just high jump and they wanted me to run track as well. I have medals from those days still in the long runs 400 and 800 meters and and relays but the high jump records are what I really liked (the western roll at that time). At some point in an endless running around the track one day  in May in 9th grade I had had enough . I told the coach I was done running for him and he should do the 20 laps that day. I turned my interests to art like all my brothers before me. The rest is history except I really cut my own path thru school and beyond. 
For me coaches are all in my past. What I learned form coaches is I was not meant to be in the herd with the rest I excelled on my own paths-What they learned is I was a independent thinker and most coaches where NOT

For me coaching was from the start as a kid. My older brothers where track stars-one was 11 years older the other 5 years older. The oldest went on to be Stanfords best high hurdler (on a scholarship) and went on to be an olympic athlete . The other was also on the record books so by the time I was in Junior high the coaches all knew what I was capable of. I grew up with a pole valult and high jump pit in backyard. I was the Junior highs best jumper. Turns out my older brother pulled his achilles tendon the meet befor the plane left for Toyko Olympics in 64 and dashed him from the team. He then quit his doctors training path and became an art professor later for 25 years in the california UC stystem at UCSB Santa Barbara in print making.  He died of melanoma cancer in 92. My other brother also excelled at art but took his life at 23.That  brother made it almost thru High school before his art interests overran the coaches interests . For me in Junior high seeing both brothers records still on the board the coaches (all track and fild and some gymnastics) had big plans and worked me to death. In late 9th grade I had enough as I wanted to just high jump and they wanted me to run track as well. I have medals from those days still in the long runs 400 and 800 meters and and relays but the high jump records are what I really liked (the western roll at that time). At some point in an endless running around the track one day  in May in 9th grade I had had enough . I told the coach I was done running for him and he should do the 20 laps that day. I turned my interests to art like all my brothers before me. The rest is history except I really cut my own path thru school and beyond. 
For me coaches are all in my past. What I learned form coaches is I was not meant to be in the herd with the rest I excelled on my own paths-What they learned is I was a independent thinker and most coaches where NOT

For me coaching was from the start as a kid. My older brothers where track stars-one was 11 years older the other 5 years older. The oldest went on to be Stanfords best high hurdler (on a scholarship) and went on to be an olympic athlete . The other was also on the record books so by the time I was in Junior high the coaches all knew what I was capable of. I grew up with a pole valult and high jump pit in backyard. I was the Junior highs best jumper. Turns out my older brother pulled his achilles tendon the meet befor the plane left for Toyko Olympics in 64 and dashed him from the team. He then quit his doctors training path and became an art professor later for 25 years in the california UC stystem at UCSB Santa Barbara in print making.  He died of melanoma cancer in 92. My other brother also excelled at art but took his life at 23.That  brother made it almost thru High school before his art interests overran the coaches interests . For me in Junior high seeing both brothers records still on the board the coaches (all track and fild and some gymnastics) had big plans and worked me to death. In late 9th grade I had enough as I wanted to just high jump and they wanted me to run track as well. I have medals from those days still in the long runs 400 and 800 meters and and relays but the high jump records are what I really liked (the western roll at that time). At some point in an endless running around the track one day  in May in 9th grade I had had enough . I told the coach I was done running for him and he should do the 20 laps that day. I turned my interests to art like all my brothers before me. The rest is history except I really cut my own path thru school and beyond. 
For me coaches are all in my past. What I learned form coaches is I was not meant to be in the herd with the rest I excelled on my own paths-What they learned is I was a independent thinker and most coaches where NOT

Mugs are my best sellers-I make 5 sizes and 3 kinds-regular -soup-motion.
Spoon rests -sell them by the hundreds-sponge holders -also sell a zillion
from there its an assortment of glasses -half glasses pie plates chip and dips
candle holders cereal bowls and miso bowls -as well as all size serving bowls (very popular) and huge bowls )no one makes them much anymore
 utensil holders-baking dishes a few sizes platers round and oval in many sizes -vases- canister sets
I make 35 forms and soon will be narrowing it down as shows are going to an end for me in next  few years
Teapots -flatware are near the bottom as slow sellers
These two photos are my 2 shows I did this year-Aug and Oct-I have my 43rd annual xmas show (private in a local shopping center) left to do
shows sell all forms other outlets sell a limited variety of forms like my galleries or supermarkets-much more limited selection than a show
 

Mugs are my best sellers-I make 5 sizes and 3 kinds-regular -soup-motion.
Spoon rests -sell them by the hundreds-sponge holders -also sell a zillion
from there its an assortment of glasses -half glasses pie plates chip and dips
candle holders cereal bowls and miso bowls -as well as all size serving bowls (very popular) and huge bowls )no one makes them much anymore
 utensil holders-baking dishes a few sizes platers round and oval in many sizes -vases- canister sets
I make 35 forms and soon will be narrowing it down as shows are going to an end for me in next  few years
Teapots -flatware are near the bottom as slow sellers
These two photos are my 2 shows I did this year-Aug and Oct-I have my 43rd annual xmas show (private in a local shopping center) left to do
shows sell all forms other outlets sell a limited variety of forms like my galleries or supermarkets-much more limited selection than a show
 

Mugs are my best sellers-I make 5 sizes and 3 kinds-regular -soup-motion.
Spoon rests -sell them by the hundreds-sponge holders -also sell a zillion
from there its an assortment of glasses -half glasses pie plates chip and dips
candle holders cereal bowls and miso bowls -as well as all size serving bowls (very popular) and huge bowls )no one makes them much anymore
 utensil holders-baking dishes a few sizes platers round and oval in many sizes -vases- canister sets
I make 35 forms and soon will be narrowing it down as shows are going to an end for me in next  few years
Teapots -flatware are near the bottom as slow sellers
These two photos are my 2 shows I did this year-Aug and Oct-I have my 43rd annual xmas show (private in a local shopping center) left to do
shows sell all forms other outlets sell a limited variety of forms like my galleries or supermarkets-much more limited selection than a show
 

Mugs are my best sellers-I make 5 sizes and 3 kinds-regular -soup-motion.
Spoon rests -sell them by the hundreds-sponge holders -also sell a zillion
from there its an assortment of glasses -half glasses pie plates chip and dips
candle holders cereal bowls and miso bowls -as well as all size serving bowls (very popular) and huge bowls )no one makes them much anymore
 utensil holders-baking dishes a few sizes platers round and oval in many sizes -vases- canister sets
I make 35 forms and soon will be narrowing it down as shows are going to an end for me in next  few years
Teapots -flatware are near the bottom as slow sellers
These two photos are my 2 shows I did this year-Aug and Oct-I have my 43rd annual xmas show (private in a local shopping center) left to do
shows sell all forms other outlets sell a limited variety of forms like my galleries or supermarkets-much more limited selection than a show
 

You could make one?

Well Laguna west is out of some basic clays it seems- I heard today as I placed a small order for a potter friend. with them . I also heard that  a minspar  shortage was also making headaches for low fire bodies as well with them.
I'm not sure if Min has much pull with the spar they named after her but maybe she could lean on that supplier(only kidding Min)
I'm a bit slow on the uptake but zircopax has been replaced as well
I'm about ready to order a few tons of Daves Porcealin (4800#s) as it comes full pallets at 2400#  each
They where out of it last week hope its made soon-this will be spring use as my fakll clay is in clay shed now
 

Well Laguna west is out of some basic clays it seems- I heard today as I placed a small order for a potter friend. with them . I also heard that  a minspar  shortage was also making headaches for low fire bodies as well with them.
I'm not sure if Min has much pull with the spar they named after her but maybe she could lean on that supplier(only kidding Min)
I'm a bit slow on the uptake but zircopax has been replaced as well
I'm about ready to order a few tons of Daves Porcealin (4800#s) as it comes full pallets at 2400#  each
They where out of it last week hope its made soon-this will be spring use as my fakll clay is in clay shed now
 

I have developed in m,y 40 plus years of doing shows a top notch system for my workflow
Two weekends agao I was at a show 1000 miles away from home . On last day I made two lists one what sold best at that show (thios list gets refered to next year before show to take extra of those items (in this case I am retiring from that show and willnot go back ) I made the list from habit anyway.
The next list is what I need to make after the show to keep my inventory up (these two lists are often not alike )
This list is what I am now making for stock-smalls like sponge holders and spoonrests never get on the list as they are a constant making for me in the stuffer space of all fires.Today I made chopstick bowls after selling a bunch and dropping off 84  in a 20 box drop off wholesale order last week on way home from show in NV in San Lois Obispo near a gallery that carries my work
This list is my go to in next few weeks as its whats needed to get back to normal inventory for me.
Its algorithm has been tested thru time and is bullet proof
 

I also am like Gep in asking for an order via email. I get some looky lous wanting stuff but not folllowing thru and its a waste of my time. I now have a $100 minimum order posted on web site. That has slowed down the the non seriors customers somewhat
I also have mentioned on my website that its for return customers only-not looking for new customers-this also cut out the space cadets who do not respond
Weather they call me direct or start with email I get them onto the email venue. Covid has excelerated poor customers for me (not folllowing thru) and I need to weed them out
I had never had customers order and never follow thru until covid hit
Right now shows are my best of times as well as my outlets and customer email orders are my worst
I got this email yesterday for example 
(I was at the Boulder City show and took your card. I couldn’t buy there, because I was with my wife and wanted to buy soup mugs for her for Christmas, which is also her birthday. I don’t see a way to order on the site. How can I order a set of four for her.)
Now I am going thru this  so called waiting for a email response after I asked what colors  they want (I'm well stocked now as well)-It may or may now happen on thier end
It does meet m,y 100$ minimum as well but this customer may vanish just as well so for me its not yet an real order.
I will post a photo of my workflow tool later as well-its in studio now.
I did just ship out two orders yesterday so my sytem is still working-all return customers from shows in my past

I started with books and teachers 50 years ago
For me videos on ceramics are mostly just entertainment these days
 

I started with books and teachers 50 years ago
For me videos on ceramics are mostly just entertainment these days
 

I started with books and teachers 50 years ago
For me videos on ceramics are mostly just entertainment these days
 

sold over 20 of the french butterdishes past weekend at show -no issues-sign says French Butterdishes. they sell well in hot climates like the desert

French butterdish is what I call them-no lawyers yet after 40 years. But wait there is still time  for them to line up out front.  Well they have to see them at a show or a shop. No online sales for me.
 

I have a old HP, CI wheel, pedal & speed control when bad a few years back. I call speedball direct they connected me to an engineer that works for them that worked for CI. Engineer told me to buy the controller & pedal for the speedball Big Boss wheel follow the directions on how to install it! I did & my HP Creative Industries wheel has worked great ever since.

I always add new colors every so often. I reacently repalaced a robin egg blue with another blue that easier to work with.
Colors keep me involved-either better colors or easier more dependable colors-either way its always on my mind
currently using about 12-15 glazes as a standard.
I have soemthat like hot and cool spots and get into those in the gas kilns so they are optimum looking

I rarely use my triple bean over the newer digital scale-it weights more and is 10 times faster to make a `10,000 gram batch
I still fire old school gas kilns with only two cones in lower spy plug.New school is the oxy probes and digital pryros also is the older meter on kiln which works without a battery for rough temps. 
I gave up wet mop for central vac system in studio. It burns up a motor every two years but is worth it.
I still throw with very few tools-sponge and a stick.
Old school is my plaster bats for all things 8#s or less
old school is I use the material bags they came in-unless it smaller colorants
Old school I clean wheel every year not every day- less water use and better use of time
old school phone in studio covered with clay from western electric -bullet proof
old school banana bexes for transporting wares to and from shows, 70+ fit in van-easy to recycle at a show or to get more.
 

French butterdish is what I call them-no lawyers yet after 40 years. But wait there is still time  for them to line up out front.  Well they have to see them at a show or a shop. No online sales for me.
 

French butterdish is what I call them-no lawyers yet after 40 years. But wait there is still time  for them to line up out front.  Well they have to see them at a show or a shop. No online sales for me.
 

A friend of mine is having a rough day today, and wanted me to pass on some information that might not be as widely known as it ought to be.
She sells a round, dome style butter dish as part of her regular offerings on Etsy. This morning she was given a trademark infringement notice and had the listing pulled because she had tagged it as a butter bell.
A little research turned up that the name “Butter Bell” is trademarked, and if I’m reading things right, has been since the late 90’s. It got renewed in the last couple of years. They even sued Paula Deen in 2010 for intellectual property infringement when both entities were selling on QVC. It’s a trademark name, not a patent, so it doesn’t appear to apply to a specific form, although Butter Bell sells what I would have called a French butter dish under that name. The upside down kind you’re supposed to put the water in. The ads in my browser for this search showed similar forms from assorted retailers and Etsy, but all called “butter keepers” or some other name.
So if anyone has similar listing names or tags on websites or online marketplaces, you might want to edit your names to save yourself this hassle. This company is obviously willing to use a lawyer. Any of us selling in person might want to educate our customers on the names if there’s the opportunity, because I’m sure lots of people are using butter bell as a search term online.

No
I have fired a few items for people over my 47 years. I stopped doing it about 20 yaers ago. No much risk. The last person said clay was high fire but it was cone 6 and bloated badly and made a mess.Never again.
That said I also have fired the local elementry school kids work twice using my clay and my glaze (onece was unglazed planters)

I use sierra lite from laguna-its a white talc-no stortage, cost is more.