Hi friends,

I don’t like selling things. It stresses me out. But I do like making things, so I just keep making more and more things. Mostly pottery. If you’re looking for holiday gifts (for yourself or others), I’d love to help out.

Erin offered to decorate some of the pieces I make this fall, if I would use white clay and leave flat surfaces for decoration. So I did! I even got some mid-fire Kota porcelain from Kentucky Mudworks, for a bright white and sometimes-translucent finish.

Today’s ‘drop’ (going live at noon MT) includes several of these bright and colorful pieces inspired by the decorations around our home.

I also worked on a commission that resulted in extra pieces – like a full size stemmed wine goblet, a number of large soup bowls, and two-tone bottles/soap dispensers made from a combination of Rocky Mountain Clay BMX and New Mexico Clay Ironstone.

Pay what you want, more or less

When you look around at pottery prices, the range is dramatic. I’ve tried to price my pieces where I think they fit “the market” in terms of style and refinement – but it still feels somewhat arbitrary.

I know these prices are higher than your average Etsy seller. But I’m not in it for the money. I’m just happy if I can afford to keep making pots – and I’m especially happy when I see other people enjoying the things I’ve made.

Ideally, I’d prefer a pay-what-you-want model, but my shop setup doesn’t allow that. Instead I’ve added a page of discounts and a tip jar, and I encourage you to use them!

• 15-OFF (15% off your order)

• 30-OFF (30% off your order)

• 45-OFF (45% off your order)

Don’t hesitate to bring those prices into a range that fits your budget. If you see something you like, I want you to have it. That’s more fun for me than keeping it in a cupboard.

Feel free to pass this along to other people you think might be interested!

Commission something specific

I’ve done several commissions, and I enjoy it! Here’s the deal:

1. You tell me what you’re looking for (like a wine goblet or a soap dispenser or a tissue box cover, etc).

2. I tell you if that sounds fun. The more finishing details (like color) you leave to my discretion, the more fun I’ll have.

3. If it sounds fun, I’ll try to make it!

4. If you like what I make, you can pay what you want for it.

You can ask me for a price, and I’ll make something up. But the whole point is to make things that sound fun, for people who would use them. So I won’t take the commission unless I’m excited to try it for the experience.

It usually takes at least a month of turnaround time, depending on the complexity.