The Maker's Playbook

Our work as artists can feel disconnected with the immediate needs of the world. On this week’s solo episode, I’m peeling back the curtain on how I process that for myself. Alongside my originally planned episode of discussing a few of the various business models you can choose in order to create a business that serves your life and not the other way around. Listen to The Launch series by clicking here.If you're looking for a group of welcoming and supportive colleagues, fellow makers who simply get it, come join us inside of The Community. Learn more by clicking here. Love this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

10/11/24 • 44:27

How do you go from a farm with a woodfire kiln and two potters to an industrial warehouse that already feels too small? Vision. And a bit of luck. At least, that's what worked for Alex Matisse, founder of the one and only Eastfork Pottery. On this episode, Alex shares insights into the pros and cons of growing such a large, successful business and how taking the time to get clear on a vision is the lynchpin of it all.At the time of this replay, Asheville, North Carolina (where Eastfork Pottery is located) is currently beginning the slow and arduous process of recovering from the devastating affects of Hurricane Helen. If you are able, please consider donating to any of the following organizations helping with recovery efforts: World Central Kitchen: On the ground getting meals to those affected.CERF+: Provides emergency relief grants specifically to craft artists.Love this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

10/4/24 • 53:40

We’re taking a quick season break but in the meantime, enjoy this chat from way back in Season 1 that I had with Katie Meili. We chat about the difficulties of mental health and how it feels when life takes unexpected turns that throw you off a path everyone else around you is on, the silver linings that brought us to clay, and the importance of having a community that supports and pushes us as artists.Additional Resources since this episode first aired:Listen to the follow-up conversation I had with the founders of the Village Potter’s on episode #212 here.Love this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

9/27/24 • 77:46

Leap and you’ll learn to fly… The key to success is action… The best way to predict the future is to create it… How many of these tropes have you heard? They are usually associated with that scary first step of making a change in your life to go after something you are dreaming about. And while yes, sure, there is often a moment where, regardless of preparation or planning, making a big change feels scary and you just have to finally do the darn thing - at the same time, there are also very real considerations to be made before you take that leap. While encouraging each other to go after our dreams and make them happen is important, and while I do believe it is possible to build viable small art businesses for ourselves (clearly), these entrepreneurial tropes - leap and you’ll learn to fly - might actually be doing more damage than good. Sometimes, we leap with the best of intentions, excitement and even planning, and life doesn’t go the way we had envisioned. And frankly, that process isn’t something that gets talked about very often. Which is exactly why I was so impressed with Xioma Ortiz of Hello Xioma and creator of the Domies when she was sharing publicly about the painful decision to close her solo studio.If you're looking for support in taking your own leap or just starting out and trying to figure out what these crazy steps are, inside of The Community is the place to be. We'll be closing out the year talking about Email Lists - How to start one, how to build one manually vs. with tech assistance, and most of all, how to help be less reliant on the ebbs and flows of social media algorithm robots. Come learn more about the perks of membership by visiting: makersplaybook.com/communityLove this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

9/20/24 • 76:56

Thinking about becoming a full time artist is a dream that lingers in the back of many people’s minds. And my assumption is, whenever any of us are dreaming about a change, we mostly think that if we took this leap, if we didn’t have to be bothered with showing up to an office for someone else Monday through Friday, we’d have more time to do the thing we love - to make. But is that what the change is really like? Is selling your work after you do take that leap to be a full time artist the same as selling your work when it’s a side-hustle? In other words, as you will soon hear from Rhianon Vichta, “What do you do when what you did for fun becomes your job?”Whether you are dreaming of becoming a full time maker or content with your day job but perhaps want to use your time more strategically when you are in the studio, if you are looking for more support from peers and colleagues all over the world, consider joining us inside of The Community. Click here to learn more.Love this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

9/6/24 • 70:36

So what does it mean if the work we’re making isn’t as impermanent as we think? Does it have to be in order to have value? Is there still value when it breaks? Today, I’m thrilled to partner with the one and only Metropolitan Museum of Art to feature an episode from their own podcast - Immaterial: 5,000 Years of Art, One Material at a Time. Each episode examines a material of art - like clay, stone, or even trash and what they can reveal about history and humanity. On today's episode, you're about to hear the story of Stone I recently listened to from their Season 2 launch. The discussion about what happens when the unbreakable not only breaks but shatters had me constantly thinking about every message I’ve ever sent to someone who’s favorite mug has broken. And I wonder how we all might think a little differently about our less than permanent items after listening to this episode of Immaterial: 5,000 Years of Art, One Material at a Time…Find more fascinating stories from Immaterial by clicking here.Love this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

8/30/24 • 49:38

As I reflected on what we're doing differently for this market season compared to last year's, I realized a trend that I've also seen after teaching over 200 makers inside our MPSS photography course and journeying along side nearly 100 makers inside of The Community for the past 3 years. And while I don't really believe in magic silver bullets to assured success, this one trait just might be the determining factor from those that do continue to find success vs. those that, understandably, give up.The Launch is our near real-time series that takes you behind-the-scenes on Francesco and I's own ceramics business, Carra Terra.  To catch up on all Launch episodes, click here.I'm working on a new free PDF resource for researching, preparing and attending in-person markets! To be the first to get this handy checklist, be sure you've signed up for our email list by visiting makersplaybook.com/newsletterLove this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

8/24/24 • 45:40

What does it even mean to “be an artist?” Does it mean you are making work you like to make? Is that art? Does it mean someone else considers you to be whatever their definition of “artist” is? Does it mean not having another job? Or can you be an artist and do something else? Does doing something else actually better allow you to be an artist? Putting it more succinctly, how do you become an artist?On today’s episode I virtually sit down with Isaac Scott, one of NCECA’s 2024 Emerging Artists, to discuss his own journey in becoming an artist - from first discovering clay, making production work, transitioning to fine art, and ultimately, continuing to figure out how to keep showing up. Because, spoiler alert, perhaps the answer to all of those questions is found in simply (or not so simply) to keep showing up. Guest Resources:Isaac's Instagram - @this_is_ceramics Episode Resources:You can find Isaac's 2024 NCECA Emerging Artist presentation here.Love this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

8/9/24 • 78:47

If you’re side-hustling your ceramics, are you anxiously awaiting the day you can quit the day job? But what if the day job was actually providing you with the chance to learn to be better at your craft? And no, I’m not talking about a job associated with what you make. I mean a day job totally different than what you dream about making, a job in an office, in a “traditional” employment structure, absolutely not at all associated with the art world. What if that job was actually helping inform how you might be able to dream even bigger about what you could do with your own making business? It might sound crazy, but that’s exactly what Nicole Bernard of NB Makes has been able to find through her communications career. Nicole is balancing a long list of worlds she moves between - from a communications career to growing NB Makes to sitting on boards that make major decisions about funding and somehow also finding the time to commit to a running group. Nicole is taking what she learns from one space and applying it to another - from business to art and art to business. And I think this holistic approach just might be the breath of fresh air so many of us multi-passionate people have been looking for. If you are looking for support from fellow makers consider joining us inside of The Community. Click here to learn more.Alternatively, Nicole is also part of an incredible online community called Kaabo Clay. You can learn more about Kaabo by clicking here.Guest Resources:Nicole's Instagram - @nb.makesLove this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

8/2/24 • 104:40

Do you ever think about completely changing your life? Like literally, everything - Your job, where you live, what your day to day looks like, maybe even your identity in a way… Or maybe you have done that already, and you are living the dream you had 5 or 10 years ago, but now, as it turns out, it’s not actually the dream? Just even thinking about saying that out loud feels crazy because you worked so hard to get where you are right now. How could you ever change that? Why would you? Should you? Well first off, I just want to say. It’s okay. I’ve been there! Or rather, am there, as I make my own pivots through a career change. Which of course, is exactly why I went about to hear from other artists on how the heck they managed to totally and completely shift their own lives. Enter Henrik Van Ryzin - self-proclaimed reset button smasher, 3 times over. And I think Henrik would agree when I say, with all due respect to his hard work, that he’s not actually all that different, as a human, from you and I. So if you are thinking about making a change, big or small, in your life to pursue something you think could be amazing for whatever the next phase of your life might be, then this is the episode for you. That being said, if you are also simply one of the 48 thousand admirers of Henrik’s work online and have been curious to know how the heck his iconic tiki meets monsters style of making even came about, then this is also the episode for you. Guest Resources:Henrik's Instagram - @vantikiLove this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

7/26/24 • 95:59

I thought John & I were going to talk mostly about burnout. How it “happened” to him, how he got through it, and perhaps, what he’s doing differently now. But (perhaps rather obviously) it can’t really be broken down that simply. Instead, John and I wound up not only talking about burnout, but also the pursuit of the impossible perfect cylinder, the responsibility we all have to educate others on what we do while also hopefully exciting them, and particularly the realities of the economics of making - whether that be other jobs that help support that reality, but also the internal realities of pricing and finding your market, or rather, finding someone else who has already found your market for you.If trying to explain your work to others has been feeling hard, if you are tired of explaining why your price is what it is, or if you find yourself in the wrong spaces or shows for the work you are trying to make, then you don’t want to miss out on our next Masterclass inside of The Community. On July 17th, we’ll be learning from Naomi Clement all about Communicating Your Value. As Naomi says, “While the nuts and bolts numbers side of things are sure important, this session will focus more on the marketing side of conveying value and selling your work. Because… Selling is really just storytelling after all.” All of our Quarterly Masterclasses are recorded and included with the cost of Community membership, so you can also binge through the library of ever growing resources to help take the next step in making a living from the things you make. Visit: makersplaybook.com/community to learn more.Guest Resources:John's Instagram - @johnrhamilton3ceramicsLove this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

7/12/24 • 81:23

In an internet world where there are seemingly endless “educators” available to learn from, what actually qualifies someone to teach a skill? Is it a traditional piece of paper, or diploma, saying that some institution has decided you can? Is it the number of years you’ve been doing the thing? Frankly, there’s really not a fixed formula we can say where x+ y = qualified educator! However, during this chat with Ian Childers, a potter who, as often happens, fell into education by necessity and yet has found a passion for it, I’ve found a few thru lines and a couple of Ian’s philosophies I wholeheartedly agree with - namely, the fact that he’s not only teaching his students a skill set to hypothetically go make a living at this craft, he is also showing his students what it takes to make a living at this craft. As Ian says during our chat, how can he expect his students to trust him if he’s not out there doing it himself? And that I couldn’t agree more with. Guest Resources:Ian Childers Instagram - @ianchildersLove this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

7/5/24 • 108:06

There’s a new social media app in the virtual neighborhood. Will it solve all the frustrations we artists have? Maybe. Maybe not… In this week’s solo episode, I dive into all things social media marketing, why a new app probably won’t solve your problems (but it could!), and why maybe it’s a good thing that it’s hard to get attention on the internet. Plus how everything is changing and yet, nothing is changing. Always. I swear it makes sense once you give a listen.Need help telling your own story online? Come join us inside of The Community for a Masterclass with Naomi Clement on Communicating Value, the marketing side behind pricing and ultimately selling your work. Learn more by visiting makersplaybook.com/communityThe Wired.com article referenced throughout this episode can be found here.Love this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

6/28/24 • 44:28

A rare non-potter conversation today on the podcast with Dave Conrey, graphic designer turned email newsletter educator. We talk about the realities of making art and trying to sell that art, approaches to marketing our work without needing to be a part of the hustle-bro culture, and eventually get around to the notion that really piqued my interest when I first met Dave online - committing to one project and one project only for a set period of time in order to focus. It’s a rare conversation without mention of kiln gods or reclaim, but enlightening to see the cross over of similarities when it comes to making a living from the things you make in whatever medium that might be. Guest Resources:Dave's Instagram - @daveconreyToday’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic ArtBray Clay by the Archie BrayLove this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

6/14/24 • 61:52

We’re back for part two! In this continued conversation with Joy Hanford - a Midwest gal, much like myself, who now lives in Portugal - we get into the topics of the complexities of learning about and navigating bureaucracies in other countries, art as a form of grieving and processing world events like the lockdown and the experience of a global pandemic in another country, starting a business amidst covid, and most of all, defining success for ourselves. Yes, it’s a heavy one my friends. But once again, it’s interwoven with a healthy dose of dry humor and sarcasm because apparently, that’s a Midwestern trait we both have - making jokes amidst heavy subjects to help get you through. Once again, there’s a bit of adult language, so hit pause and grab the headphones if you need to before your hands are covered in mud.Big Announcement!The 4 Most Common Instagram Photography Mistakes (and how to avoid them) is coming BACK! This is by far our most popular FREE photographic resource, specific for makers & potters and it's happening again on June 11th and 12th. Learn more and save your spot by visiting: makersplaybook.com/instagram-photographyGuest Resources:Joy Hanford's Instagram - @joyhanfordToday’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic ArtBray Clay by the Archie BrayLove this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

6/7/24 • 88:16

Living abroad. Sometimes, it sounds like the solution to all of my problems. All I need to do is choose a country with national healthcare and town with relatively low cost of living, and TA DA! Making a living from the things we make is solved, right? Right? It can look incredibly romantic online - strolling through tiny streets seemingly too small for cars, surrounded by historic architecture and the depths of tradition for a craft we all love. But how does it actually work? Is it really that simple? Much like anything in life and business, there are pluses and there are minuses. And it’s up to each of us individually to put those things on a scale and decide what’s best for ourselves, individually. However, the decision gets a lot easier when you have more information on the metaphorical scale, which is exactly what this week’s conversation with Joy Hanford - an American born ceramicist who’s been living in Portugal for the last 20 years - is all about. Big Announcement!The 4 Most Common Instagram Photography Mistakes (and how to avoid them) is coming BACK! This is by far our most popular FREE photographic resource, specific for makers & potters and it's happening again on June 11th and 12th. Learn more and save your spot by visiting: makersplaybook.com/instagram-photographyGuest Resources:Joy Hanford's Instagram - @joyhanfordToday’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic ArtBray Clay by the Archie BrayLove this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

5/24/24 • 84:20

Wholesale… The assumption is there’s no way to reasonably make a living, as a maker, by doing wholesale. But is that true? Since I’m generally pretty skeptical of any sweeping statement that says an entire concept doesn’t work for anyone, at all, I jumped at the opportunity chat with Steve Tubbs, an ex-retailer turned potter, when he mentioned his entire business is wholesale. While it might not work for everyone, it’s definitely working for him and the nothing-short-of-brilliant ordering schedule he has that allows him to plan out his entire year’s work by spring time!Guest Resources:Steve Tubbs Instagram - @stevetubbspotteryResources - https://www.stevetubbspottery.com/Today’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic ArtBray Clay by the Archie BrayLove this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

5/17/24 • 83:41

You’ve taken a few classes at your local community studio and you know you want to make ceramics a larger part of your life. In fact, you want to build your own studio, but what does that even look like? And what might be all the tasks and overhead that community studio has been handling without you even realizing it? What is it actually like to start and run a community studio? While we’re at it, let’s complicate things a bit and open that community studio in one of the most expensive places to live in the country. Lindsay Langsdale is doing just that, in San Francisco, and we’re talking all about it on this episode of The Maker’s Playbook.The Maker's Photography Styling System is coming back! Get first dibs at your spot for this 6-week online course specifically for makers & potters by joining our waitlist at: makersplaybook.com/waitlistGuest Resources:Lindsay Langsdale's Instagram - with @lin.langResources -https://www.linlangcreative.com/Today’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic ArtBray Clay by the Archie BrayLove this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

5/10/24 • 58:29

Having a collector buy our work... It sounds… amazing! Awe-inspiring? Relieving? Luxurious. All of the above really. But how does it even happen? During the 2024 NCECA conference, Coalescence, held in Richmond, VA I sat down with Peter Beasecker and Louise Rosenfield to chat about their perspectives as maker and collector on how building relationships with collectors begins and how we might each be able to consider fostering our own. Today’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic ArtBray Clay by the Archie BrayLove this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

5/3/24 • 73:45

“Etsy vs. Your own website. Which is better?” It’s a question I see asked online endlessly. I see the responses fought over just as endlessly. But is it really an either/or? We dig into that on this next installment of our “The Launch” series - where I dig into the firsthand experiences Francesco & I are having in starting our own ceramics business. Spoiler - We’re using both Etsy and our own website, because there are pros and cons to both. And it’s those pros & cons we discuss in this episode so you can make the decision that’s right for you.Start back at the beginning of The Launch series by clicking here. If you find you are still overwhelmed by it all, the place deeper conversations are happening with supportive makers from all over the world is inside of our virtual home - The Community. Click here to join now and be a part of the Instagram Masterclass happening on April 25th (or to get the recording if you are seeing this after April 25th!).Today’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic ArtBray Clay by the Archie BrayLove this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

4/19/24 • 39:20

I know I'm not the only one who finds social media to be exhausting. The idea of keeping up with trends sounds equivalent to nails on a chalkboard to me. But at the same time, I know there is a huge opportunity on social media. After all, Instagram alone has 2 billion  users. Enter Allie Mason. A data-based marketing strategist who understands that us solo-preneurs and small independent businesses don’t necessarily have the time (or the desire) to be spending all of our time keeping up with the ever changing world of social media. What Allie teaches focuses on using social media for what it can do for us all to grow our businesses, but not having it be our businesses. And I love it so much we're bringing Allie into The Community for a very special Masterclass specifically for makers on April 25th! This Masterclass is open to Community  members only.  To gain access, join The Community by clicking here. Guest Resources: Allie Mason's Instagram - with @thatalliemasonResources - https://bio.site/thatalliemasonToday’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic ArtBray Clay by the Archie BrayLove this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

4/12/24 • 85:04

On this week’s episode I talk with founding Community member, Connie Cole, about her winding path to becoming a full-time potter. We discuss her battle with imposter syndrome, what finding a “gateway drug” has done for her business and the assault on creativity she’s experienced over time (and of course, how she’s battling against it!)Interested in joining other makers from all over the world in a safe & supportive environment online? Come check out The Community by clicking here.Guest Resources:Connie Cole's Instagram - @twocentsceramicsResources - https://twocentsceramics.com/Today’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic ArtBray Clay by the Archie BrayLove this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

4/5/24 • 83:05

Feeling the FOMO because you aren't going to NCECA? Come hang out inside of The Community - Learn more & join for 1 month by clicking here.One of my favorite books: Deep Work by Cal Newport (purchasing the book through this link helps support the podcast!)Today’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic ArtBray Clay by the Archie BrayLove this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

3/16/24 • 27:09

Do you get overwhelmed at the idea of making your studio practice environmentally friendly? It can seem impossible to figure out where to start and what actually makes an impact. The science of climate change is complicated at best, and more often than not confusing. Which is exactly why I’m so grateful for people like Yuliya Makliuk - a trained ecologist and potter. Yuliya recently wrote the book Potters Save the World: Learn to Make Sustainable Ceramics and Help Protect the Earth, and on this week’s episode we talk all about the process of self-publishing this important book as well as creating her own pottery amidst an ever changing reality of living in Ukraine. Guest Resources:Yuliya Makliuk's Instagram - @hereandnowpotteryResources - Potters Save the World by Yuliya Makliuk (click here to purchase using our affiliate link & help support this podcast!)Today’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic ArtBray Clay by the Archie BrayLove this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

3/13/24 • 66:50

The internet can be amazing for connecting us all to resources we wouldn’t otherwise have access to. But it can also be absolutely overwhelming. With so many people teaching online, how can we tell who actually knows what they are doing? How do we know (especially if we decide to pay) that they are actually qualified to teach us? I’m not talking about formal qualifications and diplomas here - obviously, there are plenty of problems with the traditional structures of arts education. But at the same time, there’s additionally the sneaky problem of online education not having any sort of barrier to access - literally anyone can call themselves a teacher on the internet.During Part Two of my conversation with Hope Limyansky-Smith, we dig into the pros & cons of being online educators and the ways in which we ourselves vet other educators we want to learn from as students ourselves. Before all of that, we also have a very important discussion on setting boundaries online both for ourselves and with each other so that we can continue to enjoy building new friendships online, which really is what makes being on social media great, isn’t it? Guest Resources:Hope Limyansky-Smith's Instagram - @limyanskystudiosToday’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic ArtBray Clay by the Archie BrayLove this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

3/1/24 • 58:58

How often do you look at what other makers are sharing on social media and think to yourself - “How do they have time to make all this CONTENT? Daily reels, stories, thoughtfully designed themes, not to mention the actual pots!” It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This week on the podcast, we’re going behind-the-scenes with Hope Limyansky-Smith of Limyansky Studios who consistently posts 5 days a week while also teaching full-time to understand what it’s really like to create so much for social media. Spoiler: This is only part one of my chat with Hope, so be sure you are following the show on whatever podcast app you use to listen in order to not miss out on part two!Guest Resources:Hope Limyansky-Smith's Instagram - @limyanskystudiosToday’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic ArtBray Clay by the Archie BrayLove this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

2/16/24 • 50:08

What were you doing 15 years ago? Were you already making? Had you not even found clay yet? It’s amazing the twists and turns our lives can take, and yet, without them, we wouldn’t be doing what we’re doing today. On today’s episode, I sit down with Victoria Brook, who first introduced me to wheel throwing 15 years ago, when I lived in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England for a year. A lifetime has happened since, and yet at the same time, in many ways Victoria and I both are coming full circle.Guest Resources:Victoria Brook's Instagram - @mygianthandsmadetheseToday’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic ArtBray Clay by the Archie BrayLove this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

2/9/24 • 74:37

We’re kicking off Season 5 with a big announcement right at the start of my chat with Rebecca Harvey, the executive director of the Archie Bray. Rebecca and I also chat about the history of the Bray and her vision for the future, along with the pros & cons of traditional academic education and partnering (or not!) with galleries. Never miss an important announcement (or sneak peek) about what's happening with The Maker's Playbook by adding your email to the insider's list at: makersplaybook.com/newsletterGuest Resources:Rebecca Harvey's  Instagram - @r.harveythisisatestToday’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic ArtBray Clay by the Archie BrayThe Maker's Playbook is now a part of the Brickyard Network! Find more awesome pottery podcasts by clicking here. Love this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

2/2/24 • 56:37

Our 4th most popular episode of 2023 was my conversation with Page Kelly of Zephyr Valley Ceramics twists and turns, much like her career paths. A self-proclaimed “late bloomer,” there is this stunning moment in this conversation at about the 46-ish minute marker when Page discusses the narrative body of work she is currently producing, where I hear literally every experience she has had in the last 2 decades - inside and outside of working in clay - come together. It’s an encouraging moment, especially for those of us that feel like we are getting started in this beautiful journey a bit… well, later than others. Note: There is a tiny bit of adult language in the latter half of this episode, so if you are listening around kiddos or are in a community setting, you might want to choose to pop on some headphones.Page is one of the founding members of The Community, our online home for makers. You can learn more about what all The Community is about by clicking here: makersplaybook.com/communityLove this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

1/22/24 • 80:33

When I say “making a living” what do you think I mean? Do you immediately think of income and how much money you make? Or do you think of how you spend your time? Do you think of the balance between working hours and leisure hours? I don’t think there is one particularly correct answer, but on this episode of The Maker’s Playbook, our guest, Danny Meisinger does put this phrase into some very helpful perspective for those of us trying to figure out the financial side alongside the dream life of being a full-time potter in the 21st century. If you are dreaming that same dream, or even just curious about what it’s actually like to make a living from what you make, this episode is for you.On January 8th (one week from today!) I'm sharing my entire annual planning process inside of our Community! If you are looking to have 2024 be the year you finally accomplish the projects you dream of at the start of the year, consider joining us for the system that finally changed it all for me. This podcast wouldn't exist without my annual planning system! Learn more about all the Community has to offer by visiting: makersplaybook.com/community(And if you are reading this after January 8th, 2024 don't worry! All trainings inside of The Community are recorded. Come on over and check it out!)Love this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com

1/1/24 • 77:05