Hey :) 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">As a potter,you know that the ceramics world is an ever-evolving space.</h2>



There are always new techniques,tools,and ideas to explore… and it can be challenging to stay on top of all the latest trends and developments.



And,we all know that sharing information with others helps yourself grow as an artist.



It’s how the traditions of ceramics have been passed down the generations for millenia!



That’s why we believe that sharing information in the ceramics world is essential,especially in this day and age where you are most likely to be in your home studio by yourself.



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://staging.ceramic.school/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/image-1000x669.png" alt="Tag Glazes,Clays and other Materials in your notes." class="wp-image-114239" style="width:433px;height:288px"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tag Glazes,Clays and other Materials in your notes.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sharing is Caring</h2>



When potters come together to share their knowledge,skills,and experiences,they create supportive communities that inspire and motivate one another. Whether it’s discussing new glaze recipes,experimenting with firing techniques,or sharing insights into the creative or business process… sharing information can help potters of all levels grow and improve,from all around the world.



But when university courses are closing their doors,and apprentiships are hard to come by… where can you share this information?



You may think Instagram,which is great and all,but it’s not very detailed and it’s a bad place to store your notes…



And most of the other online blogs or forums have been dead for years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best way to keep track of your ceramic creations?</h2>



At the moment there is no central hub for potters to share their pottery notes... which is why we have created our brand-new Global Pottery Notebook!



Our Global Pottery Notebook allows you to share your thoughts,ideas,creations,techniques,and inspiration with other potters from around the world.



It’s a place where you can connect with other artists,share your knowledge,and learn from others.



You can keep track of your ceramic creations throughout the whole creative process – from idea to greenware,bisqued,glazed and sold.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Stay Organized</h2>



You can also tag any glaze recipes,clays,or raw materials that you’ve used so that you can go back and repeat results if you find a winning combination. (You can also see what everyone else is using that glaze for to get some inspiration!)



By posting to our global pottery notebook,you’re not only helping yourself keep track of your work and grow as an artist,but you’re also helping others. Your knowledge and expertise could be just what someone else needs to take their work to the next level. By sharing your experiences and techniques,you’re contributing to the growth of the ceramics world as a whole.



So please,don’t be afraid to share your knowledge and experiences with the world. Together,we can build a supportive community of artists who inspire and motivate one another.







<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img src="https://staging.ceramic.school/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/online-pottery-notebook2.png" alt="" class="wp-image-114244"/></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Get Started Now!</h2>



To get started –&nbsp;<a href="https://staging.ceramic.school/login/">Login to your Account</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://staging.ceramic.school/register/">create a new account for free</a>&nbsp;– and then try&nbsp;<a href="https://staging.ceramic.school/listing/?listing_type=gd_note">posting your first note now</a>,and let us know what you are working on,afterall,there should be&nbsp;<a href="https://nosecretsinceramics.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">#NoSecretsInCeramics</a>



I wish you all the best, Cheers, Josh



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">P.S. Get Our Brand New App!</h2>



If you have an Android phone,then you can test this out on our&nbsp;<a href="https://staging.ceramic.school/app/">brand-new Ceramic School Android App</a>!



We will hopefully be releasing the iPhone app by the end of the month,so if you have an iPhone you can use your safari web browser in the meantime!

What's the Best way to keep track of your ceramic creations?

Selling online,social media algorithms,website template builders,photo editing apps; keeping up is enough to make your head spin. No matter which online tools we are using as artists to be a part of the online maker community to promote and sell our work,they are constantly changing and often not for the better. 



Years back when Etsy began it was a successful blueprint for the increasing demand of online sales,but over the years,even those makers that built their businesses thanks to Etsy,have left in search of better options. Competing with mass produced items in a formally handmade only market place is just one reason for the mass exodus. The latest announcement of increased fees has the community that still uses Etsy furious. If ETSY CEO Josh Silverman is celebrating all time highs for sales and revenue,why then are the artists and makers taking yet another hit to stay in the Etsy game?



<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/30/23001727/etsy-seller-strike-boycott-fee-increase?fbclid=IwAR35uatKxWxG_if7CsY1MUHGolQioFrMPji0E59IZ1Ntw4eZgAz1i72Cbhk">The Verge</a> just published a must read article which in itself is a call to the community to boycott Etsy to have their voices heard. "Sellers are asking shoppers to boycott the platform between April 11th and April 18th." 



For those still using Etsy as a sales platform fear not as there are a number of other options for online selling,some may require a larger investment of time cultivating followers on social media,but in the end sellers will have substantially more control of how they market and sell their work with more profits staying in their pockets. 



Want to know more? Make sure to read <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/30/23001727/etsy-seller-strike-boycott-fee-increase?fbclid=IwAR35uatKxWxG_if7CsY1MUHGolQioFrMPji0E59IZ1Ntw4eZgAz1i72Cbhk">the Verge article</a> by Mia Sato,and also check out Joshua's post <a href="https://staging.ceramic.school/should-i-sell-on-etsy/">"Should I sell on Etsy?"</a> here on The Ceramic School blog from 2019 which breaks down some of the other options for makers selling online. <a href="https://staging.ceramic.school/how-much-can-you-earn-by-selling-your-ceramics-online/">"How much can you earn by Selling your Ceramics online?"</a> is another worthwhile read especially if you're just thinking of starting an online business. 



Want to try out our <a href="https://potsy.shop">brand new ceramics marketplace</a> that guarantees no mass-produced ceramics and puts your customers focus on just your products?



Try out <a href="https://potsy.shop" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">POTSY</a> - The brand new ceramics marketplace by The Ceramic School



Make sure to share your thoughts in the comments below. Do you have an Etsy shop? Do you think you'll try something new in the future? What's working for you now? We'd love to know.

The Etsy Dilemma:  Why maybe it's time we found better ways of selling online.

We need your help - Make yourself heard!



You can now leave feedback on the courses you have enrolled in.



This helps other ceramic artists make informed decision about purchasing a workshop,and also let's us know how we can improve in the future.



<h2>Review &amp; WIN a Lifetime Subscription!</h2>



At the end of the month (January 2023) we will be giving away one Lifetime Subscription&nbsp;to The Ceramic School (worth $997) to a random user who leaves a review on a workshop.



Each review is an extra entry into the giveaway.



<h2>To enter:</h2>



<ol>
<li><a href="https://staging.ceramic.school/login/">Login to your account</a>,</li>



<li>Go to <a href="https://staging.ceramic.school/courses/?current_page=1&amp;search=&amp;type=my-courses&amp;order=desc&amp;orderby=my-progress&amp;filter-categories=all&amp;view=grid">Your Courses</a></li>



<li>Scroll down the page to leave your review for every courses you have enrolled in.</li>
</ol>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://staging.ceramic.school/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/review-example.png"><img src="https://staging.ceramic.school/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/review-example-1024x488.png" alt="" class="wp-image-106828"/></a></figure>



P.S. 



This giveaway is for people who have watched our online workshops... which means that it's the perfect time to take advantage of our <a href="https://staging.ceramic.school/membership/">free 3-day trial</a> - enroll today,watch some workshops and leave some reviews for your chance to win! :)







<h2>Update - We have a Winner!</h2>



???? Congratulations Maria Botero on your Lifetime Subscription for The Ceramic School Membership!



<figure class="wp-block-video"><video controls src="https://staging.ceramic.school/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-jan-review-giveaway-winner.mp4"></video></figure>

January Reviewer Giveaway - Review to Win!

We need your help - Make yourself heard!



You can now leave feedback on the courses you have enrolled in.



This helps other ceramic artists make informed decision about purchasing a workshop,and also let's us know how we can improve in the future.



Review &amp; WIN a Lifetime Subscription!



At the end of the month (January 2023) we will be giving away one Lifetime Subscription&nbsp;to The Ceramic School (worth $997) to a random user who leaves a review on a workshop.



Each review is an extra entry into the giveaway.



To enter,please:



<ol>
<li><a href="https://staging.ceramic.school/login/">Login to your account</a>,</li>



<li>Go to <a href="https://staging.ceramic.school/courses/?current_page=1&amp;search=&amp;type=my-courses&amp;order=desc&amp;orderby=my-progress&amp;filter-categories=all&amp;view=grid">Your Courses</a></li>



<li>Scroll down the page to leave your review for every courses you have enrolled in.</li>



<li></li>
</ol>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://staging.ceramic.school/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/review-example.png"><img src="https://staging.ceramic.school/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/review-example-1024x488.png" alt="" class="wp-image-106828"/></a></figure>



P.S. 



This giveaway is for people who have watched our online workshops... which means that it's the perfect time to take advantage of our <a href="https://staging.ceramic.school/membership/">free 3-day trial</a> - enroll today,watch some workshops and leave some reviews for your chance to win! :)

Do you have what it takes to represent your country in The Clay Olympics?



Then we need you! 



To kick-off <a href="https://staging.ceramic.school/the-ceramics-congress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Ceramics Congress</a> in November 2021,we will be hosting a series of challenges and Live-Streaming the events to our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/the.ceramic.school">Facebook</a> page... and we are looking for participants to enter The Clay Olympics!



The challenges may include: ✔ Tallest Coiled Vase from a single coil within 10 minutes ✔ The most complete pinch-pot teapot / tea set within 10 minutes ✔ Longest pulled handle within 10 minutes ✔ Widest bowl thrown on the wheel within 10 minutes ✔ Plus a Mystery Contest



Selected contestants will receive a Free VIP Ticket to <a href="https://staging.ceramic.school/the-ceramics-congress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Ceramics Congress</a>,and Winners will be awarded some extra Prizes too!



Are you interested in taking part? Apply now using the form below!



[form id="61291" /]











P.S. Know someone who would be great at this? Share with them now! :)



<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><a href="https://staging.ceramic.school/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/ClayOlympics-pinterest.png"><img src="https://staging.ceramic.school/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/ClayOlympics-pinterest-683x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-61338"/></a></figure></div>

The Clay Olympics

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Guess what I found when I Googled "Start a Pottery Business"?</h2>



Hey :) Have you ever thought:  "Oh how I wish I could make ceramics all day,everyday..." And then you tried to find out how you could... Only to find rubbish advice??



Here's some real (bad) advice I just found by searching for "Start a Pottery Business"&nbsp;



"Get an intern. They’re invaluable."- oh yeah,that's a good way to start!



"Exhibit regularly at local craft fairs and agricultural shows"



"Start teaching pottery classes - and then sell wine and snacks alongside the pottery classes"   - really now?



"Invite groups to paint/glaze your unfinished work and take home as a souvenir"- OMG,please stop...



"Make an attractive sign for your studio,if you plan to make retail sales from it." - duh! You need a nice sign on your door!



"Have 'open days' and demonstrations which you advertise by posters and leaflets"



Obviously,this is all terrible,TERRIBLE advice.&nbsp;



If you took this advice,you would be spending time on Photoshop and printing out posters and sticking them up round town,whilst stressing about hiring someone (maybe your friends or family?),at the same time you'd have 100 molds being made for your home-factory... you would end up hosting your own pottery lessons at home,just so you could make a bit of profit selling wine! (lol) and then you would be spending money on applying to all the art fairs &amp; markets that you possibly could... buying tables and tents and driving for hours just so you could go and sit around in the rain,twiddling your thumbs while people walk past your stall and ask "Have you got this in blue?" ... "Did you make this yourself?" ... &nbsp; &nbsp;



It's all outdated advice. And it's all nonsense.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">So what is the best way to set up your pottery business for success?</h2>



What should you be focused on?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Where should you be putting your time &amp; energy?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Is there a way to make money selling your ceramics - without selling your soul in the process?!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



Yes - of course there is!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



But most pottery business advice you'll find online is outdated and won't actually help you grow your business.



In fact,most of the business advice shared will just leave you with: MORE stress trying to do too much LESS time doing what you love



So today,I'm going to share a better way to think about your pottery business.



- one that's not about random tips,or hacks that you have to piece together yourself one at a time...



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">But first,I want you to look ahead to your goals for this year...</h2>



What if you could spend just 90 days to setup your successful pottery business?



Maybe you're just getting started and simply want to do your first ever sale in time for Christmas so you can spend more money on some awesome pottery tools.



Maybe you dream about going part-time with it so you can spend more time creating.



Maybe you're already a full time potter and you are looking to increase profits next year so you can upgrade your studio space or buy a bigger kiln.



So,when we look at your dream for the next year - what's the quickest way to achieve it?



And how can you do this without resorting to selling wine at your home pottery lessons?



Well,after two years now of covid,the world is a lot more online that it has ever been. And online shopping is through the roof!



In fact,on average,online retail sales have increased 32.4% year over year in 2020 and were up 39% in 2021 (!)



Lot's of traditional businesses have had to "get with the times" and start marketing themselves online.



And&nbsp;Online Marketing&nbsp;is the key to your pottery business's success.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Online Marketing is a proven way to generate growth by:</h2>



<ol>
<li>Attracting visitors</li>



<li>Converting those visitors to leads</li>



<li>Converting those leads to customers</li>



<li>Converting those customers into repeat customers and super fans.</li>
</ol>



Once you've spent the time and brought your pottery business online,and set it up with a constant supply of visitors,leads,and customers... you just need to answer this one question:



Why on earth didn't I do this earlier!?



I believe that you should treat your passion for pottery like a business.



And I believe that modelling the online marketing methods from big-businesses,and applying them to your own pottery business is a 10x more effective way to run your pottery business.



Now you may be saying to yourself...



"Yeah,alright,I'll treat it like a business... but what exactly do I do,and how do I do it?"



I get it.



"How do I find customers"&nbsp;is a question lot's of potters have...



And if that's you too,then keep reading... because I'll be sharing details and a discount for our brand-new step-by-step program designed especially for potters who need help with their online business...







<h2 class="wp-block-heading">I'd like to introduce you to&nbsp;<a href="https://staging.ceramic.school/mba/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">The Ceramics MBA.</a></h2>



The Ceramics MBA is an intensive 12 week workshop,that teaches you exactly how to start &amp; scale your online pottery business....&nbsp;in a way that treats your pottery business like a real business - but is still easy to follow with videos to watch,worksheets and checklists and templates to fill out.



And,with our private support group and weekly mentoring sessions,we stick with you every step of the way,to make sure you are not doing it alone.&nbsp;(As these are live mentoring sessions,we are limiting spaces to make sure we can support you the most during the live calls.)



We have laid out the road-map for you to follow,and over the course of 12 weeks,we will be helping you setup: Your Personal Branding,Website,Online Shop &amp; Sales Funnels,Social Media &amp; Marketing Funnels,Email Marketing,and finally,Paid Online Advertising.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">At the end of the 12-Weeks:</h2>



<ul>
<li>You’ll have your own personal brand,website and online shop setup.</li>



<li>You'll know how to price your work,and create sales funnels and processes that get people to purchase more from you.</li>



<li>You'll know how to use social media for business,and create marketing funnels that turn strangers into super fans,and bring potential customers into your online shop.</li>



<li>You will know how to use Email Marketing and Paid Advertising effectively to scale your pottery business and drive more sales.</li>



<li>You will finally be ready to get your ceramics out in front of the right people,who will be eager to buy your work.</li>



<li>You will get a certificate to prove you have completed the workshop.</li>
</ul>



So please,have a read about&nbsp;<a href="https://staging.ceramic.school/mba/">The Ceramics MBA</a>&nbsp;here,and if you have any questions at all,then just leave a comment below.



All the best, Joshua

All blog

What's the Best way to keep track of your ceramic creations?

The Etsy Dilemma: Why maybe it's time we found better ways of selling online.

January Reviewer Giveaway - Review to Win!

January Reviewer Giveaway - Review to Win!

The Clay Olympics

Guess what I found when I Googled "Start a Pottery Business"