A Second Photostand
I wrote about my first photostand back in 2013. I think this post gets shared across social media or something, because it gets tons of views to this day. Now I've decided to add a second photostand to...
View ArticleNew Display Shelves, Customized Exactly For Me
I've made a serious upgrade to my pottery booth, which I am a little too excited about. I have a new shelving unit that I was able to design exactly for my needs. These will replace a shelving unit...
View ArticleFast-Motion Booth Setup
As some of you already know, I am learning how to use a video camera and video editing software. I'm working on a big, ambitious project with these. But in the meantime, I am having some fun "playing"...
View ArticleIndulgence
This is a vase that I threw during my holiday break back in December. It is 13 inches tall and thrown in two sections. The form is a definite nod to my Korean heritage. The skinny vertical stripes are...
View ArticleSneak Preview of My Big Project
I've made a few hints already that I am learning how to shoot and edit videos. It's time to reveal what I'm really working on. As you may know, I was a pottery teacher for seven years. I gave it up...
View ArticlePart of the Bargain
That's me, getting up at 4am last weekend to set up my booth for a show. And yes, it was raining. This is part of the bargain when you choose to be a full-time potter. Some shows have no choice but to...
View ArticleAnother Sneak Preview / Instructional Videos
Here's another one-minute sneak preview of my wheel-throwing instructional videos. The first series, called the "Core Skills Series," is designed for beginner and beginner+ wheel-throwers. Compare the...
View ArticleThe Online School is Now Open!
The Good Elephant Pottery Online School is now open! The first five videos are now online. Five more videos will be released early next year. These five will keep you busy until then. This is a...
View ArticleHalf of My Life
I often get asked at shows "how long have you been doing this?" I made my first pot in 1994, and I remember how fun it was a few years ago when I could answer that question with "20 years." I like...
View ArticleRenting vs. Buying the Videos
(Screen shot from Project 3: Thumbprint Tumblers)Big thanks to everyone who has joined my online school so far! I’m very pleased with the first two months of existence. I’m writing this blog post to...
View ArticleCheapskate Happiness
Every pot that I sell gets wrapped in a piece of paper before bagging. I go through a lot of paper. I've been buying kraft paper rolls for this purpose, which are not very expensive. But the rolls are...
View ArticleWet: An Exhibition of Aquatic Art
Wet: An Exhibition of Aquatic ArtSeptember 1 thru November 5The Mansion at Strathmore10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, MD 20852http://strathmore.orgNavigate shipwrecks, storms, and seas as artists...
View ArticleThe Law of the Craft Show
This is a play on the phrase “Law of the Jungle,” which generally translates to “every person for themselves” or “eat or be eaten.” On a regular basis at craft shows, a customer will decide for various...
View ArticlePricing Work, in Pottery Making Illustrated
The current issue of Pottery Making Illustrated (Nov/Dec 2017) contains an article I wrote for them on the subject of pricing. This is an adaptation of things I've written on this blog before, pulled...
View ArticleNew Pots for the Open Studio 2017
If you are coming out to my 11th Annual Open Studio this weekend, here are some new designs you will see.Whiskey Sippers. Or Tea Cups if you prefer. Covered in textures designed to feel good in your...
View ArticleOnline Sale 2017
I can't express how grateful I am for all the people who trekked out into the snow to attend my Open Studio this weekend. My pottery business would not exist without people like you <3The...
View ArticleA New Peanut Strategy
This is not the first time I've written about my hatred of packing peanuts. I hate them a little less now, thanks to a new approach. A fellow potter from the Ceramic Arts Network Community Forum named...
View ArticleThe Real Nitty Gritty
For those of you who like reading about the geeky details of running a pottery business, this post is for you. This is probably completely uninteresting to anyone else. Every year, after my holiday...
View ArticleI always have a reason.
I fully admit that when people accuse me of workaholism, they aren't wrong. Those who have been following my business for years may have noticed that last year I undertook an even busier show schedule...
View ArticlePricing Your Pottery, video now available
Last Friday night, I gave a talk at District Clay Center in Washington, DC, on the subject of pricing pottery. I explained, in full detail, how I approach my pricing. My methods are stress-free,...
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