Ep 703: Technical Foundations, Art Fair Realities, and Sustainable Pricing with Olivia Avery
Send us a textMany makers struggle with the tension between creating work we love vs making work that we think will sell, especially when traditional academic instruction is often focused on concepts and what I call “Capital A Art” over the practical skills needed to make a living. What if the key isn't choosing between artistic integrity and commercial viability, but rather learning to work efficiently?Olivia Avery's experience reveals how rigorous craftsmanship training—throwing 40-80 pots daily until she could self-evaluate and create consistent work—became the foundation that allows her to pursue intricate surface decoration while maintaining a viable business. Despite the unpredictability of markets where she might sell out of teapots one weekend and mugs the next, her willingness to price her labor-intensive, highly decorated functional work appropriately demonstrates how technical excellence and clear pricing boundaries can create space for both creative fulfillment and financial sustainability, even when it means accepting a smaller but more committed customer base.⭐️ Looking for more support? ⭐️Whether you're trying to figure out your pricing, navigate the art fair circuit, get out of the art fair circuit, or just want support while you experiment with new creative directions, you'll find fellow makers who truly get it (and a ton of ever growing, practical educationl resources to support you along the way) inside of our Community. Learn more about the perks of membership and come join us 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
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Ep 702: How Personal Inspiration Built a Business with Danielle Williams of Strong Roots Pottery
Send us a textAs makers, we often feel pressure to create what we think will sell rather than what genuinely excites us, but what if following your authentic creative vision is actually the fastest path to finding your people and building sustainable success? Danielle Williams of Strong Roots Pottery discovered this when she finally allowed herself to explore the hair-inspired clay work that had been sitting in her sketchbook for years—her now-signature Bantu knot vases didn't just reignite her passion for making, they created such demand that she now maintains a waitlist of eager customers. By giving herself permission to make what truly resonated with her (even when it meant stepping away from "safer" planter sales), she found that following her long-held creative vision became her greatest business asset, proving that the courage to pursue your personal creative interests—rather than chasing trends or quick sales—often leads to the kind of meaningful work that sustains both your artistic soul and your bank account.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
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Ep 701: Creating Educated Buyers with Jamar Diggs
Send us a textMost makers think YouTube means teaching their craft or competing with influencers for millions of views—but what if the real power lies in creating educated, confident buyers who value your work before they ever click "purchase"? Jamar Diggs, YouTube consultant and creator of the Low Lift Club, reveals how service providers and product makers can leverage YouTube not for viral fame, but as a strategic lead generator that transforms browsers into invested customers. When makers shift from accidentally teaching their techniques to intentionally showcasing their process and educating buyers on product value, they create a sustainable system where old videos continue attracting qualified customers months or even years later—turning YouTube into a working asset rather than another exhausting content treadmill.Jamar will be joining us in The Community on September 23rd for a masterclass called "How to Track What Matters Online." Because while we're talking about YouTube strategy in this conversation, the bigger question many of us face is: how do we actually know what's growing our business? Or put more simply: How do we know what’s working? Come join us inside of The Community for this masterclass as well as access to our ever growing library of masterclasses 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
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Ep 628: Where are They Now - Two Years In with Yvonne Rausch (Part Two)
Send us a textWhat if the pressure to grow your follower count and perfect your online presence is actually distracting you from the real relationship-building that sustains creative businesses over time? Because it’s a little bit crazy to realize how many of the most successful business opportunities often come not from your carefully crafted marketing strategy, but from the casual conversations that happen when you're just being human. Moments like helping a neighbor move boxes, chatting in another language at an art opening, or simply showing up authentically in your community. Yvonne's experience reveals how pivoting from traditional market sales to unexpected revenue streams like embassy orders and collaborations discovered through bilingual conversations has not only increased her income but deepened her creative practice. As she navigates the seasonal rhythms of pottery—selling in winter, creating in summer, and learning to work with rather than against these natural cycles—her journey illustrates that sustainable self-employment might be less about having a perfect plan and more about staying open to the human connections and creative experiments that emerge when you're focused on the work you love rather than the metrics you think you need. In this episode: Yvonne Rausch @_yvonnerauschFull Show Notes & Resources can be found at makersplaybook.com/podcast-----Find Community member Anne online @ceramicsbyanneInterested in joining Anne and Yvonne inside of The Community? Learn more about the perks of membership and sign up at: makersplaybook.com/community-----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
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Ep 627: Where are They Now - Two Years In with Yvonne Rausch (Part One)
Send us a textThe romanticized image of going full-time as a maker often glosses over one crucial reality: you'll spend as much time problem-solving your business as you do creating, and the mental resilience required might surprise you more than the financial challenges. What if the key to thriving long-term isn't just having enough savings or demand for your work, but developing the flexibility to constantly adapt when your original plans inevitably must change? Yvonne's two-year journey from part-time ceramicist to full-time entrepreneur reveals how seasonal rhythms, unexpected kiln disasters, and market changes force you to get creative with revenue streams—from embassy orders to collaborations discovered through casual conversations. Rather than viewing these constant pivots as setbacks, embracing the problem-solving nature of self-employment can lead to both stronger business foundations and deeper self-knowledge about your values, boundaries, and creative evolution.In this episode: Yvonne Rausch @_yvonnerauschFull Show Notes & Resources can be found at makersplaybook.com/podcast-----Find Community member Debi online @curiosibee.artInterested in joining Debi and Yvonne inside of The Community? Learn more about the perks of membership and sign up at: makersplaybook.com/community-----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
A podcast where we talk all about what it's really like to make a living from the things you make. Featuring candid interviews with other ceramicists and makers, as well as helpful business tips to make your side-hustle into a life-giving, viable business.
South Africa