Wheel Talk
Ryan Durbin (@rdceramics) & Becca Otis (@5linespottery) share their experiences as potters, makers, small business owners, and creatives. Becca is a full time studio potter, while Ryan is a full time website developer and part time potter. We'd love to share our ups and downs along the way as we build our skills as makers and small business owners in an honest, informal manner. We hope to bring you helpful tips we've learned over the years, learn from each other, and share expertise from a number of guests with you also. Please join us for some Wheel Talk!
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 101 minutes
- Episodes
- 324
- Years Active
- 2019 - 2025
#43 - Talking Glazes with Joshua Heim from JH Pottery Works
On this episode, Becca sits down for a chat with Joshua Heim, owner of JH Pottery Works and Gebharts Floral Barn & Greenhouse in Warren, Indiana. We get a glimpse into Joshua's business lately during…
#42 - Had I known...
Ryan & Becca talk about some tips and tricks they wish they knew when they started in clay. Some of these seem very minuscule, but they can save you lots of time and money in the long run. Being alon…
#41 - Social media ramblings
Ryan & Becca discuss how social media positively and negatively affects our creative process. Not letting your worth be tied up into how many likes or the engagement you get when sharing items you ma…
#40 - Ryan got a... WHAT?!?!
Ryan & Becca share lots of good news to start off this episode. Ryan made a large purchase that Becca is ecstatic about! Becca shares a financial business win & some exciting new work that is coming …
#39 - Love what you make.. don't compromise
Ryan & Becca share their insights about balancing what you love to make and what will sell. They don't have to be mutually exclusive, but it's up to you to find that balance. We share some experience…
#38 - COVID update
We're 6 weeks into the new normal during the stay home orders due to COVID-19 & sharing how it's going in Washington & Kentucky/Ohio for each of us. Becca is struggling with Washington unemployment &…
#37 - Kiln Venting... Becca explains what not to do....
Ryan & Becca get into all the details about kiln venting. They share how they've vented (or not vented) their kilns over the years and options you have in your own studio. There are a range of option…
#36 - Do you have an email list?
On this quick episode, Ryan & Becca go into mailing lists & why you should have one. Neither of us send out emails frequently, but having a list of your own will give you something to fall back on wh…
#35 - Wholesale and Team Management with Rebecca Graves Prowse from Gravesco Pottery
On this episode, Becca & Ryan chat with their friend in clay Rebecca Prowse from Gravesco Pottery in Indianapolis, Indiana. Rebecca shares all the things about running a production pottery studio, s…
#34 - Handbuilding, why it's bomb too!
On this episode Ryan & Becca answer a couple listener questions to get us started. They also dive into the difference between handbuilding and wheel throwing while Becca has been focusing a lot more …
#33 - Jumping in before you're ready
On this episode Ryan & Becca answer a listener question at length related to building confidence in yourself to commit to something you feel insecure about. We all have to continually get better in o…
#32 - Pottery on a creative budget
On this episode Ryan & Becca break down some options for studio equipment on a budget. There are a lot of options for you to save money since this business requires a lot of materials over the years.…
#31 - Pottery, Flowers, and Family with Joshua and Kari Heim
On this episode, Becca sits down for a chat with Joshua and Kari Heim, owners of Gebharts Florals and JH Pottery Works. We talk about how they do not kill each other, parenting while owning small bus…
#30 - How to adjust your small business in hard times
On this episode Ryan & Becca talk about how they are adjusting to the hard times we've found ourselves in these past few weeks. COVID-19 is hitting each of us differently and small businesses around …
#29 - 5 Potters Eat Dinner & Talk Pot
On this episode Ryan & Becca join some clay friends while Becca is on a trip to the midwest for a week. We are joined from potters all over the region including Rebecca Graves (Indianapolis, IN), And…
#28 - How to be a professional failure!
On this episode Ryan & Becca talk about how to be a professional 'failure.' How do you bounce back from a situation that didn't have the best result? These failures could be something huge (a shelf o…
#27 - In the Doghouse with Amanda Schwartz from Doghouse Pottery
On this episode, Ryan & Becca sit down for a chat with Amanda Schwartz from Doghouse Pottery. Amanda works full-time in digital advertising & part-time as a potter in North Hero, Vermont. We learn ho…
#26 - To Do Customs or Not to Do Customs? That is the Question...
On this episode, Ryan & Becca answer a couple listener questions. They then dig into the topic of custom orders. Are they for you or not? We've made a handful of custom orders over the years between …
#25 - Insecurities & Growth as an Artist
On this episode, Ryan & Becca discuss insecurities & growth as an artist and small business owner. Self awareness is important as you progress in your art & craft. Comparing yourself to others, figur…
#24 - Boundaries...what are those?
On this episode, Ryan & Becca discuss how to build a space that fits your work style & setting boundaries for your studio time. Some of us work in community studios and finding time to focus 100% on …