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
- 323
- Years Active
- 2019 - 2025
#22 - Good Times at Clay Con West
On this episode, Ryan & Becca recap their first time at Clay Con West this past week. Becca sold some work & demonstrated how to get more efficient on the wheel, while Ryan helped some of the other p…
#21 - A Beginner's Guide to NCECA
On this episode, Ryan & Becca address questions about attending the NCECA (National Council of Education for the Ceramic Arts) clay conference. Becca attended her first one last year and Richmond 202…
#20 - Let's Hear dem Goals!!!!
On this episode, Ryan & Becca look forward towards 2020. They each have their own approach and motivations when setting business & personal goals for a new year. Hopefully you set a few goals for you…
#19 - May All Our Failed Goals Be Forgot: 2019 Recap
On this episode, Ryan & Becca don’t hold back as they reveal how they finished 2019. They give a slight update on their income projections in Quarter 4 (see end of episode 7 for the estimates). We go…
#18 - From Rich to Poor, How to Handle the Dreaded Winter
On this episode, Ryan & Becca talk about transitioning from the busiest time of the year during the holiday hustle and bustle to the slowest during the first quarter of the new year. Our motivations …
#17 - Balancing a Full-Time Job & Side Hustle
On this episode, Ryan answers a question he received on Instagram about balancing a full-time job and small business on the side. Ryan works from home as a website developer from 9-5 and runs his sma…
#16 - No Ma'am.. This Isn't a Hobby.
On this episode, Ryan & Becca discuss things to keep in mind if you are thinking about transitioning from side hustle to full time artist/maker. Lots of makers may be in this same situation currently…
#15 - Two Broke Potters
On this episode, Ryan & Becca talk about the business side of pottery, specifically taking on debt to grow your business. Each of them have their own perspectives on the topic with Ryan doing this on…
#14 - What's Up Guys?! with Jon Schmidt aka Jon The Potter
On this episode, Ryan sits down for a chat with Jon Schmidt aka Jon The Potter after attending his workshop in Columbus, Ohio recently. Jon's most known for producing & sharing entertaining videos to…
#13 - Glazed and Confused
On this episode, Ryan & Becca talk all things glazing. Each started working out of studios where mixing glazes was commonplace, so it's no surprise they each mix their own these days. There are many …
#12 - Why Be a Depressed Bee, When You Can Play with Pottery?
On this episode, Becca discusses her experiences with depression over the years & how it affects her as a small business owner now. She discusses some tangible tips that help her make it through thos…
#11 - Should I Stay or Should I Go?
On this episode, Ryan & Becca discuss things to keep in mind if you are thinking about starting your own home studio. Lots of clay makers start creating & learning in the comfort of community studios…
#10 - Pot Swap 2019
On this episode, Ryan & Becca talk all things Pot Swap! Pot Swap was started back in 2018 as a way for potters on Instagram to connect and participate in a holiday secret santa with other clay makers…
#9 - How much does a mug cost to produce?
On this episode, Ryan & Becca go deep into some numbers! They discuss what costs go into producing one handmade mug (materials, time, firing) & the profit once a sale is made. Becca & Ryan each share…
#8 - Improve Your Art Show Sales
On this episode, Ryan & Becca talk about how they have improved their sales over time at art shows. Everyone starts off at a place where sales are really tough to come by and we want to share some id…
#7 - Transitioning from Fall to Winter
On this episode, Ryan & Becca talk about transitioning from the busy show season to the slower time of year during the winter. As makers, lots of us have to hustle during the winter months to pay bil…
#6 - 21 Questions
On this episode, Ryan & Becca jump into a rapid fire list of questions to get to know them better. Some are clay related, others aren't, but they have fun along the way.
Thanks for joining us and we w…
#5 - Ways to Sell: Consignment
On this episode, Ryan & Becca discuss pros & cons of selling on consignment in the second installment of the Ways to Sell series. There is so much that goes into selling your work and this is another…
#4 - Ryan's Best Show Ever!!
On this episode, Ryan & Becca recorded their Instagram Live discussion after having 2 great shows! Ryan shares how a new experiment was a HUGE success! Becca shares some details of her weekend at Lea…
#3 - Ways to Sell: Art Shows
On this episode, Ryan & Becca discuss pros & cons of selling at art shows in the first installment of the Ways to Sell series. There is so much that goes into selling your work and this is just one o…