Top 41 How To Start A Pottery Business 16869 Votes This Answer

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Mid-level potters earn about $20/hour while senior potters earn $25/hour. The most experienced potters can earn over $30/hour! After you determine how much your time is worth look at the cost of your raw materials and the cost of firing your kiln.How much profit can a pottery business make? Novice potters report annual earnings of just under $20,000, while master potters make an average of $47,500 annually. Most businesses take anywhere from 2-5 years to really get going.

7 Expert Tips on How to Start a Ceramic Business

Take things one step at a time. If something doesn’t work, change it.
Get an intern. They’re invaluable. …
Get an extra mop bucket and a good shop vac. …
Get a Peter Pugger or other pugmill. …
Keep in touch. …
Keep a high profile. …
Ask for help when you need it.

#1: Handcrafted Mugs.
#2: Bowls.
#3: Soap Dishes.
#4: Spoon Rests.
#5: Sponge Holders.
#6: Vases.
#7: Teacups.
#8: Plant Pots.

Contents

Can I make money selling pottery?

Is pottery a lucrative business?

How much profit can a pottery business make? Novice potters report annual earnings of just under $20,000, while master potters make an average of $47,500 annually. Most businesses take anywhere from 2-5 years to really get going.

What pottery items sell best?

#1: Handcrafted Mugs.
#2: Bowls.
#3: Soap Dishes.
#4: Spoon Rests.
#5: Sponge Holders.
#6: Vases.
#7: Teacups.
#8: Plant Pots.

How much money do potters earn?

Potters earn an average hourly wage of $21.21. Salaries typically start from $14.66 per hour and go up to $29.20 per hour.

Do I need a kiln for pottery?

You can do it! Many who wish to make pottery might be deterred by thinking they need a pottery wheel, kiln, or other equipment to start making pots. But the truth is all you need is a lump of clay and your imagination, and you can make your very first pottery projects.

What should I make for beginner pottery?

Here are some pottery ideas you can make with the help of a pottery wheel:

Candle holders.
Planters.
Colanders.
Juicers.
Egg cups.
Matchstick holders.
Cake stands.
Butter dishes.

Can I make pottery at home?

If you want to make pottery at home, you can absolutely do it without a pottery wheel, but beware that you will be limited to creating objects based on molds or entirely shaped by hand, which will most likely result in pieces with imprecise and uneven looks.

Is pottery a good investment?

Collectibles | If you are a collector of fine things, a collection of ceramics and pottery from around the world is definitely something to indulge and invest in. As collectibles, they can be treasured for years and then passed onto future generations.

Is pottery a good side hustle?

Pottery is definitely one of the best hobbies you can turn into a business. Starting your own pottery business doesn’t require large amounts of money nor crazy skills.

How much does it cost to start a clay business?

Most pottery studios will spend anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000 to open up a physical business location. You can also start with a home pottery studio and branch out slowly.

Can I sell pottery online?

You can sell ceramics through an online store, like your Shopify website. Shopify’s easy-to-use interface makes it easy to launch, manage and market your ceramics business all in one place, without having prior ecommerce experience.

Is making pottery hard?

I’ll be honest, throwing on the wheel isn’t easy. But it’s not exceptionally hard. Over the years, I’ve never had a student walk out of a class with at least a few “keepers”. Learning the basic premise of throwing can be achieved in my 5 week class.

What is the most common type of pottery?

Earthenware clays were some of the earliest clays used by potters, and it is the most common type of clay found.

How can you make money with clay?

Creating craft items from polymer clay and selling them for a profit is an entry into the small business arts and crafts market that requires little initial investment.

Make and Sell Jewelry. …
Make and Sell Crafts. …
Teach Polymer Clay Design. …
Sell Polymer Clay Accessories.

How much money do ceramic artists make?

The salaries of Ceramic Artists in the US range from $27,970 to $100,240 , with a median salary of $58,450 . The middle 60% of Ceramic Artists makes $58,450, with the top 80% making $100,240.

How do I sell handmade ceramics?

Where to sell your pottery online. There are two ways to go when selling crafts online, either you go it alone on your own website or use a craft platform like Etsy, Folksy or Not On The Highstreet. The first sales I ever made were on Etsy and I think this site is a good place to start.

How much is a potters wheel?

1. Pottery Wheel Cost. No matter the model you chose, all pottery wheels are an investment, but generally they range in price from just over $400 to almost $1,500.

Sell Ceramics 🍵 Start a Handmade Business!

Ceramic Business Advice – Tips on Opening a Ceramic Business

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Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for How To Make A Living Selling Pottery: A Step-by-Step Guide – Pottery Crafters Updating Making a Living Selling Pottery is easier than you think. Here is A Step-by-Step Guide that will help you Make a Living Selling Pottery
Table of Contents:

Step 1 Motivate Yourself and Build Confidence

Step 2 Gain Experience

Step 3 Strategize your Business Plan

Step 4 Set Up a Workspace

Step 5 Create Pottery Pieces

Step 6 Market your Brand

Step 7 Sell Your Pottery and Grow Your Business

Conclusion

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How to Make a Living Selling Pottery: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re passionate about Pottery, you must have pondered about making Pottery your full-time job many times. Most of the time, you shrug it off as the idea sounds unlikely. Making a Living Selling Pottery is actually easier than you think.

Here is A Step-by-Step Guide that will help you Make a Living Selling Pottery

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll discuss each of these steps in detail, including how you can take action and what benefits following each step provides. So let’s dive in and read about the first step.

Affiliate Disclaimer: We are ambassadors or affiliates for many of the brands we reference on the website. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Step 1: Motivate Yourself and Build Confidence

First and foremost, you have to have confidence, motivation, dedication, and passion in your arsenal. With distrust in your skills, lack of passion, and no motivation, it’s impossible to achieve any goal.

Your approach to pottery making has to be both optimistic and realistic. If you’re too optimistic, it’s likely that you’ll be disappointed and demotivated quickly. Always keep in mind that once you’ve made the decision to become a professional Potter, the ladder that reaches your goals isn’t an easy one to climb.

You’ll have to wait patiently for your first few orders. Think about who relies on you, and contemplate whether it’s a good idea to make Pottery as a source of income instead of a casual hobby or part-time work.

The best way to motivate yourself is to find the actual cause of any demotivation and procrastination.

Ask yourself these few questions:

Once you know what the hurdle in your plans may be, you can motivate yourself to overcome that particular hurdle. If you think your pottery pieces aren’t great, post them online. Make a social media account or start a thread on some forum.

You’re usually going to get the right constructive criticism from the internet, in contrast to your friends and family, who will always appreciate your efforts and will refrain from criticizing. Look at other popular Potter’s work and notice the beautiful imperfections they have.

Can you take pieces to Art Stores?

Ask the owners if they find your pottery work interesting. It’s even better if a professional potter is willing to help you out.

Keep in mind that flaws are part of the handmade Pottery. Anyone can go to a pottery barn and pick up a flawless, mass-produced mug or plate. Also, know that Pottery is a subjective form of art.

Secondly. Is it illogical to think of loss before starting a business?

Yes, it is. However, you also can expect rapid growth and immediate response. If you’re making wonderful pieces and marketing them right, people will buy from you. It’s just harder to get your first few customers. But with dedication, you’ll soon have enough orders that you’ll find fulfilling the demands rewarding.

Finally. Is choosing Pottery as a living source a waste of money or time?

No. It may start out slow at first, but then you’ll start earning a good income. If being a Potter didn’t pay your bills, people wouldn’t be Potters!

On average, potters who earn from their own studios can make anywhere from $20 to $50 an hour depending on what you make, which is well above the minimum wage. On special occasions like Christmas, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, etc., your earning will increase. People have earned over $40/hour during holiday season sales!

Step 2: Gain Experience

The next step to starting your life as a professional potter should be to gain experience. Now you might be thinking you know your way around Pottery. But in truth, there’s never enough experience one can gain in any work.

If you’ve decided to make a living as a Potter, become dedicated to the craft. This means that you should be willing to learn. Even if you have an Art Major from your college, there’s still plenty to learn out there in the real world.

Working for Potters:

Try to work for potters and artists. Become an apprentice of a Potter whose work sells. You can work both part-time or full-time, the latter being a better choice.

Quit your job if you can and just work for different Potters. Notice their techniques, their styles, how they achieve their goals. Know every step of creating Pottery, from making Greenware to Glazing to Firing.

Be careful not to be too intrusive. Keep in mind there are potters that don’t want anyone to know their secrets, which is understandable (like a secret recipe.) Feel them out. Don’t waste your time if you can’t learn anything from that particular Potter.

Practice:

Once you’re free from work, practice at home as well. You are, of course, making Pottery there, but returning home and practicing on what you have learned really helps. You can make a couple of changes and apply some of your newly learned techniques to make it your own.

You don’t need to get high-end materials for this, try to make the best of what you have. Spend a little on the bulk quantity of pottery-making items when you’re out of supplies.

This has another advantage besides the experience:

The connections. Senior potters are constantly in touch with their customers. People who order their Pottery can include shop owners as well.

Through your potters’ source, you can make valuable friends and connections that’ll help grow your business. Professional potters can also recommend pottery and business classes that you can take to educate yourself further.

After working with professional potters, you’ll have enough knowledge to run your own business.

Step 3: Strategize your Business Plan

The key to any successful business is a strategy.

First, what makes you stand out?

What is it that you, a new business, is offering that an already established one isn’t? Think to yourself and find a valid answer. If you live in a small town or a suburban area, maybe there aren’t many potters. If you live near a city or town, then you probably have some competition, and you must find a way to make your brand stand out.

You can do this by strategizing

You’re probably not going to find a product that no one else is making, so what can you do? The answer is originality. People are attracted to your work if it’s original. You can add your style to already existing products.

For example, if you’re making a mug, make an interesting handle design. Glaze with various colors. Make some artwork on mugs, and if you make a set, make sure each of them resembles and differs from the other in some ways.

Keep in mind what the popular demand is, but do make your pottery original. Come up with different designs. Play with textures. We’ll talk about this more in step 5.

Business strategy also includes where to sell

You can either turn your studio into a shop (if you have enough space), make a deal with shopkeepers who sell Pottery, start an online delivery service, or become a seller on sites like Amazon or Etsy. You could also set up a booth.

Let’s Take a Closer Look at One:

Turning your studio into a shop:

This sounds like a wonderful idea. You’re working there, so there’s not much traveling that you need to do. You can handle your business on your own as you’re nearly always present.

Your work will be near your family, which is great if you have kids. You also have the freedom to decorate the studio display however you want.

On the downside, however, you need a good amount of space for this. It’s also important that the location of your house is an area where you can do business (If you are in a residential area that is not zoned for any stores, or you have an HOA that also does not allow it.)

You don’t want to be too far away from a main town or city. Otherwise, you’ll have a hard time trying to get customers and will have to rely on deliveries, which are an added cost but still doable.

You can also rent your own shop, but that costs a lot and isn’t a good idea for beginner potters.

The next option is to sell to pottery retailers:

You can sell your Pottery to Stores, local Coffee Shops, Markets, and Furniture Stores (for vases and decors). This is an easy option. You can go to various stores that sell Pottery, decor items, furniture, and dinnerware and ask them to sell your pieces for commission.

There are a couple of cons of this, the first being giving the store owner commission. Now the rates will go up higher a little bit, depending upon the store, so this shouldn’t be an issue. You don’t get the freedom to choose display style in most of cases. You might have to look for various stores to find a good deal too.

You can also work with interior designers. They’ll use some of your Pottery in the next house they furnish if it goes well with the theme. Designers typically charge a commission.

Go for online delivery:

You can do this by setting up a website or taking orders through Facebook Messenger, Instagram, or by a call. In this case, you have complete liberty of everything, and you don’t have to have much space in your house. It’s also much more convenient for customers, and online businesses flourish faster.

If you’re opting to become an Amazon or Etsy seller, then most of your worries regarding marketing and delivery are gone. The site will have its own delivery service, and your products will show up in search when people look for a ceramic item.

You can even make custom products for people through Amazon Custom. You just can’t make deliveries yourself and your schedule has to be made around the pick-up time.

Set up a booth:

You can attend flea markets, roadside sales, and festivals to sell your products, especially the ones you’ve had in storage for a while.

So now that you know the basic ways to sell your product, you can pick which way to sell that suits you. As you grow, you can choose to sell through a number of methods or do all four to increase your income.

Now let’s focus on business planning

First of all, how much money do you need to invest in? You’re familiar with the prices of clay, glazes, wax resists, etc. by now. You probably already own a kiln. There aren’t any big investments you have to make if you already have Pottery to sell.

Moving on to Earning:

What should your salary expectations be? Well, a beginner-level potter makes a little over the minimum wage, with the average earnings being $15/hour. The growth is gradual, depending on how many hours you work, how many products you sell, and how big your name is.

Your earnings per hour will increase with your experience. Mid-level potters earn about $20/hour while senior potters earn $25/hour. The most experienced potters can earn over $30/hour!

After you determine how much your time is worth look at the cost of your raw materials and the cost of firing your kiln.

Let’s say the cost of your clay, glaze, and firing of 30 pieces is X amount. Divide the amount by 30, and now you know how much it costs to make a single piece. This will help you to determine how much you want to sell your Pottery for. Never undercut your work. Remember, mass-produced Pottery is always cheaper than hand-made.

Seasonal Selling:

Finally, the last thing you have to consider is the time of the year. Some products sell really well during one part of the year while others don’t. For example, you might see more people buying soup bowls and spoons during the fall season as compared to spring or summer. During the Christmas season, you’re going to receive more orders as people are buying gifts for each other.

Now, you can use this to your advantage. You can sell Christmas-themed mugs and wall art during November as people are decorating their homes and are getting into the holiday spirit.

Similarly, you can make Easter egg decoration pieces in late March. If Mother’s Day is coming up, you can make themed items. Before Halloween, you can sell pottery lanterns carved like pumpkins and so on.

Step 4: Set Up a Workspace

This is a prep step. Once you’ve worked on a business strategy, you can move on to setting up your workspace.

You probably already own most of the basic tools. You’ll be fine using the pottery tools you used when practicing, don’t spend too much right off the bat. Instead, buy some glaze and underglaze sets.

Dry glazes are better since they are more convenient to store and make larger batches. Make sure you have all the items you need to create wonderful pieces.

Working on your selling method is the next step

For those who are selling on a commission basis:

If you haven’t already, talk to a couple of shop owners, interior designers and decide the commission rate and discuss other aspects of your business.

For those who are selling online:

Make a website or social media account where you can sell your pottery pieces. If you’re selling through Amazon or Etsy, set up a seller account. We’ll talk more about selling online in step 6.

For those who want a physical store:

When renting a store, do you want your store to have a section where can make Pottery also or just sell your Pottery?

If you want a studio and selling store, make renovations. See if you can have a kiln. Having your kiln at the store would be more convenient, but if not, you can also fire your Kiln at another location.

Step 5: Create Pottery Pieces

It’s finally time to create!

You need to create some pottery pieces before your first order comes in. These pieces go to the shop owners, the designers, on your website, your social media, and on your store’s display.

Creating different kinds of pieces is important. You should make sample mugs, vases, plates, bowls, and various other pieces. All your designs can be similar to one another, like crystal-themed or flower-themed, or you can make each one different. Make sure all pieces of a set match or complement each other.

Make sure to make these the best pieces, and the designs attract customers. Play with textures and designs. Make your Pottery stand out. If it’s a special season, make themed pottery pieces, for example, a Christmas mug or a spring-themed vase. These will boost your sales.

You don’t have to create many pieces like if you’re making a mug with a specific design, make 4-5 at first. After you start getting orders, notice which product is popular and make more of that. If you get a bulk order and you can’t meet the delivery date, let the buyer know.

Step 6: Market your Brand

Now, we’re going to talk about one of the most important steps in your journey to becoming a professional potter — that being marketing. Without proper marketing of your products, people wouldn’t be able to reach you.

Now, marketing is necessary when you either deliver online or have your own shop. There’s no need to market if you’re giving your Pottery to different stores on a commission basis or when you’re working with interior designers.

Your task is to find stores that are willing to sell your products or decorators who want to work with you. Marketing to them as customers isn’t needed. Similarly, if you’re a seller on online sites like Amazon or Etsy, marketing shouldn’t be your focus.

If you are running your own store or providing an online delivery service, then marketing becomes a necessity. If you have a physical shop, then you can print flyers with the address written on it and deliver them to houses or paste them around your neighborhood. You can give a bunch of flyers to shops and designers who can forward it to their customers, although they might charge for it.

Building a presence online is also very important.

First, you can buy a domain through registrars like Namecheap or GoDaddy, which charge a measly fee of $10-15 a year.

Then you can use free website building tools like WordPress, Wix, Elementor or many others Make sure to take great photos of the sample pieces you created, and list the products on your website.

This website can host all the products you make, so people can pick what they have to buy and come to your store or call you. Having a website is even more important when you’re making deliveries as it’s the main source of communication between you and the customer. It can be created like an online store where customers place their orders and chat with you. There is plenty of software that helps you make an online store, e.g., Shopify.

This website of yours also needs to be marketed. You can promote it through Google Ads, and make a profile on Instagram or Facebook. On these social media sites, you could post various photos of the pieces you make and add links to your website. You can run ads on your social media accounts and follow other people who sell similar products. This requires you to be very active on social media, at least when you’re a junior potter.

For more detailed information on selling your Pottery online read this Step-by-Step Starters Guide to Sell Pottery Online.

Step 7: Sell Your Pottery and Grow Your Business

Now that you’ve made a business plan, set up your workspace, created pieces to sell, and marketed them, it’s finally the time to sell & earn!

We’re not going to get into the discussion of actually selling the products, as we’ve talked about it multiple times before. You’ve either started an online store, become an Amazon seller, worked with shops, or opened your own store. In all of these cases, the next few things apply.

Let’s start with setting prices for each item. As a beginner-level potter, your rates shouldn’t be too high. You’re a newly opened brand, so people don’t expect the prices senior potters charge.

The prices do fluctuate depending upon the amount of glaze you used, how crafty the item is, or how long it took. Here’s a general idea:

A regular mug with just one color should cost $14-20.

A mug with intricate patterns, textures, or uncommon shapes should be sold for a little more, maybe $25-30.

A small table vase with a simple design should go for around $20, and price can increase depending on design or time invested.

A regular-sized or large vase with a basic design and shape can sell for $30. A very expensive-looking one can go for much higher, even $80-90.

Miniature decoration pieces with patterns go for $5-9.

Serving bowls start at $20. Bowls with patterns on both the outside and the inside cost around $35-40 on average. Bowls with tougher-to-execute designs can go for $70+.

Art pieces can vary in prices by a lot. A simple decoration piece goes from as cheap as $10 to as costly as $150 or more.

Once you’ve set the prices for your products, list it on your website or social media as well.

Now, most of the time, you’re selling your own pieces. But keep the option of customers ordering a custom-made product open. If a customer does order an item, say a mug with a name written on it or a vase in a specific color combination, then you can charge more.

Running your own online store

This next part is for those who are running their own online store. Providing an efficient delivery service is an important part of your business. You can charge your customers a shipping fee, but don’t charge too much for it. You can include the shipping fee in the price of the item itself. Delivery charges are basically what the courier service charges you or an average of the time and gas you spend on delivering yourself.

Host sales

This can be you attending a flea market, lowering the price on the products you give to the store, or having a simple sale on your online or physical store. Occasional sales boost growth. You may have to work more, but you’re going to get new orders, and you can reach new customers.

Conclusion

In these seven steps, we’ve discussed the basics of making a living as a potter. It starts with you motivating yourself, then gaining experience in this field, a bit of advice given by the most successful potters.

The most important parts are definitely planning and marketing. You have to pick the method of selling most convenient to you and market to your customers if necessary. You can eventually broaden the spectrum and various methods together.

Once you have a good strategy, take action, and set up a workspace where you can create samples to market. Eventually, orders will reach you, and you’ll start selling.

Becoming a professional potter needs you to be smart as well as skillful. If you’re smart with your business plan and smart with the execution, you’ll find making Pottery a source of living very fruitful.

How to Start a Pottery Business

Start a pottery business by following these 10 steps:

Plan your Pottery Business Form your Pottery Business into a Legal Entity Register your Pottery Business for Taxes Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card Set up Accounting for your Pottery Business Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Pottery Business Get Pottery Business Insurance Define your Pottery Business Brand Create your Pottery Business Website Set up your Business Phone System

There is more to starting a business than just registering it with the state. We have put together this simple guide to starting your pottery business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What are the costs involved in opening a pottery business?

Before making any investments, there are a few items to consider. Will your studio include a wheel throw, or will you build by hand? Do you plan on glazing your pottery in-house, or will you take it elsewhere for glazing and firing? How much space will your kiln take up? If electric, do you have an adequate power supply to handle the equipment?

Depending upon your needs, you’ll either set up shop in your home or garage, or rent or purchase studio space. While investing in a space away from home will affect your overhead expenses, many enjoy keeping their home and work separate. It’s all about personal preference.

Once you’ve determined your workspace, there’s a number of items and equipment you’ll need:

Clay

Hand tools

Carving and decorating tools

Glaze and colorants

Wheel: ranges from $950 and $1800

Work table

Storage and display shelves, including a place to store damp pieces

Kiln: manual or computerized, ranging from $2,000 to over $10,000

Pug mill: costs anywhere from $2,300 – $8,400

Business cards

You’ll also want to set some cash aside to cover art festival and traveling expenses. These shows are a great way to start building a name for yourself.

What are the ongoing expenses for a pottery business?

Fortunately, there is very little overhead in this industry. If you decide to open a public studio, you’ll have the standard expenses of rent, electric, and insurance. Otherwise, your budget will primarily be spent on materials, website management (if you choose to have one), and entry fees for events. Since you pay for materials up-front, your money is tied up until you’re able to recoup the money through sales.

Who is the target market?

Many consumers settle for cheaper pottery items that are mass produced. Those who purchase handmade pieces appreciate the time and skill that goes into each creation and are willing to pay a little extra for their one-of-a-kind piece. These are the individuals you’ll target when determining where to display your work and which festivals/shows you should attend.

How does a pottery business make money?

Pottery business owners earn their living off each piece they sell. Many choose to sell primarily to individual customers, while others have found success selling wholesale. Whichever route you take, pay close attention to your pricing model. Prices should include cost of materials, as well as an hourly wage to ensure maximized profit.

How much can you charge customers?

Prices vary from piece to piece. Carefully consider all the factors that went into creating your work, including materials used and time spent. Never sell yourself short when creating your price list. A coffee mug might sell for $20, while a work designed for display may yield thousands of dollars.

How much profit can a pottery business make?

Novice potters report annual earnings of just under $20,000, while master potters make an average of $47,500 annually. Most businesses take anywhere from 2-5 years to really get going.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Some pottery entrepreneurs have reported higher earnings by integrating the following into their business plan:

Teaching pottery classes

Selling wine and snacks to alongside pottery classes

Inviting groups to paint/glaze your unfinished work and take home as a souvenir

Experience will offer valuable insight into streamlining some of your processes, which increases your turnaround time

Creating molds, which will allow both you and your apprentice to generate more pieces

Simplifying some of your more detailed pieces and test them to see how they sell. If they’re popular, you can reduce the number of complicated items, increasing your turnaround time.

Crafting products that appeal to several markets. Diversification is critical to every successful business.

Collaborating with other artists in your community – this is a great way to grow as an artist and businessman and serves as a powerful networking strategy.

Soliciting galleries, bars, hotels, restaurants, and real estate agents. While cold-calling is uncomfortable for most of us, you might be surprised at how many are willing to display your work on consignment or invest for design purposes.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Pottery Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

Your state’s business records

Federal and state trademark records

Social media platforms

Web domain availability.

It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

Find a Domain Now Powered by GoDaddy.com

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation.

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your pottery business is sued.

Form Your LLC

Read our Guide to Form Your Own LLC Select Your State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District Of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming SEARCH NOW Have a Professional Service Form your LLC for You Two such reliable services: ZenBusiness ($39 + State Fees)

ZenBusiness LegalZoom ($79 + State Fees)

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

Recommended: You will need to elect a registered agent for your LLC. LLC formation packages usually include a free year of registered agent services. You can choose to hire a registered agent or act as your own.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN for free through the IRS website, via fax, or by mail. If you would like to learn more about EINs and how they can benefit your LLC, read our article, What is an EIN?.

Learn how to get an EIN in our What is an EIN guide or find your existing EIN using our EIN lookup guide.

Small Business Taxes

Depending on which business structure you choose, you might have different options for how your business will be taxed. For example, some LLCs could benefit from being taxed as an S corporation (S corp).

You can learn more about small business taxes in these guides:

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Additionally, learning how to build business credit can help you get credit cards and other financing in your business’s name (instead of yours), better interest rates, higher lines of credit, and more.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.

Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Open net 30 accounts

Net 30 accounts are used to establish and build business credit as well as increase business cash flow. With a net 30 account, businesses buy goods and repay the full balance within a 30-day term.

NetMany net 30 credit vendors report to the major business credit bureaus (Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, and Equifax Business Credit). This is how businesses build business credit so they can qualify for credit cards and other lines of credit.

Recommended: Read our best net 30 vendors, guide and start building business credit.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business’ expenses all in one place.

Build your company’s credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from Divvy and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a pottery business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

In addition, certain local licensing or regulatory requirements may apply.

For more information about local licenses and permits:

Check with your town, city or county clerk’s office

Get assistance from one of the local associations listed in US Small Business Associations directory of local business resources.

Also, if you want to offer complimentary alcohol at special events or showings (as many pottery studios do), you will need an Art Gallery Liquor Permit, the specificities of which vary locally.

Certificate of Occupancy

A pottery business is generally run out of a studio when offering classes. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

If you plan to lease a location:

It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.

Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a pottery business.

After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.

If you plan to purchase or build a location:

You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.

Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your pottery business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Learn more about General Liability Insurance.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

Recommended: Learn what business insurance for your Pottery Business will cost. Business Insurance for

Pottery Business

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you aren’t feeling confident about designing your small business logo, then check out our Design Guides for Beginners, we’ll give you helpful tips and advice for creating the best unique logo for your business.

Recommended: Get a logo using Truic’s free logo Generator no email or sign up required, or use a Premium Logo Maker.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a pottery business

It is important to develop an effective marketing strategy. It helps to first create a list of primary and secondary markets for selling your creations and develop a strategy around that.

Let’s look at a few marketing and promotional strategies that have been successful for other potters:

Keep a guest book from each event that you attend and create a mailing list. Send out mailers, via email or postcard, reminding people of your work and including contact information.

Using your mailing list, notify customers of a “kiln opening.” Clients can come visit your studio and purchase pottery right out of the kiln.

Attend art festivals. While these events can prove costly, they’re an effective way of reaching a broad audience. Don’t forget to take business cards for those who enjoy your work, but aren’t ready to buy.

Post pictures of your work on Instagram and other social media sites. Many artists have found great success holding online auctions.

Have a billboard or sign prominently displayed. It should include all contact information and encourage customers to visit your studio.

How to keep customers coming back

To attract and retain a steady flow of clients, your product line should include a wide variety of items. While you will want to include some items that are guaranteed to sell, it’s also important to maintain your artistic integrity by creating items you enjoy producing. To appeal to a larger market, offer sets of items in varying sizes. You can also offer discounts on sets of items that are purchased together. A balanced line of products and prices and steady use of high quality materials will set a level of consistency that ensures repeat customers.

Still unsure about what kind of business you want to start? Check out the latest Small Business Trends to help inspire you.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.

– full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online. Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.

that you own. Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Using our website building guides, the process will be simple and painless and shouldn’t take you any longer than 2-3 hours to complete.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2022 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Start a Pottery Business in your State

9 Pieces All Potters Should Make And Sell

You want to start making some money from your newfound Pottery Making Hobby

Or you at least would like to break even so you can continue making more pieces.

You are wondering what to make that will sell well. I’m going to show you the 9 pieces that most potters make that sell well on a consistent basis

Affiliate Disclaimer: We are ambassadors or affiliates for many of the brands we reference on the website. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

#1: Handcrafted Mugs

Most potters who turned their hobby into a business will tell you that the smaller pieces make up the lion’s share of their profits. This means selling something like handcrafted mugs.

You will charge between $10 to $30 for pieces like this, but you may find that it sells best at between $10 to $12. They don’t cost too much which makes it less of a commitment for buyers. People even get excited to buy mugs, especially if you can make the right design.

They want to have the mug that everyone else envies. People especially go wild over handcrafted mugs because it adds a uniqueness that you can’t get with a regular cup. Everyone feels so used to the standard and generic mugs on the market, which makes the handcrafted mugs even more popular.

Expert Tip: Much of the pricing comes down to the quality of the work. Good craftsmanship mugs will sell for more. If you find that your handcrafted mugs sell well at $10 to $15, up it to $25. Experiment and explore the prices until you find what works best. Keep in mind prices are subjective and can vary greatly depending on supply and demand.

Many potters report handcrafted mugs as their biggest sellers, but you may want to experiment. Handcrafted mugs give you a good place to start because a lot of potters have had luck with them.

#2: Bowls

Another hot item for ceramics artists, you can make bowls easily and they sell well too. Bowls sell good because of the utility behind them. You can use them for a variety of things like:

Cereals

Soups

Salads

Pastas

Having a handmade bowl with a unique design attracts customers who love the uniqueness of it. Bowls can also make a nice decorative piece in the home. Add a touch of fun and personality to the piece to make it shine and stand out.

The average cost on Etsy for a pottery bowl is $32.22. You can charge anywhere from $20 to $50 for an average size bowl, but you will find that they sell best at around $30. Of course, depending on your bowl’s size and detail work, you can go as low as $10 for small bowls and over $100 for big bowls.

To learn more about selling online go to –Selling Your Pottery Online

#3: Soap Dishes

Soap dishes can be interesting in that you can do a lot of cool things with the design. They were meant to look stylish. At the same time, soap dishes can be made from a variety of clays like porcelain, earthenware, stoneware and ball clay. Each will give your piece its own unique look.

This ceramic piece gives you a lot of opportunities to stay creative in the creation of it. You will charge anywhere from $15 up to $50 for a soap dish, but they sell best at the $20 mark. Keep in mind, where to price your ceramic goods will depend on where you sell. In some places, some items will sell better at a higher price than others.

#4: Spoon Rests

You may want to make your spoon rests from stoneware clay because it’s a good durable clay. After choosing a clay, you will want to pick a design that helps it sell well. Spoon rests sell well because of the practicality of this piece. During the process of cooking, you have a sanitary place to rest your cooking utensils without them getting dirty.

Some people have used spoon rests on a buffet table to keep the utensils in good condition. You will usually want to charge between $12 to $23 for ceramic pieces like spoon rests. Some people have used spoon rests as a decorative accent to the stove, such as placing it under the spice rack. Like many of the other pieces on this list, Spoon rests are smaller, and they sell well because it doesn’t require as much commitment.

#5: Sponge Holders

Every home needs a sponge holder, and the more stylish homes will look for sponge holders with personality. Having a cool sponge holder in the home can add to the atmosphere of the room. They usually sell for between $15 to $35 depending on how much work you put into it (how to decorate it). You may find that your sponge holder will sell best at $22. Experiment with the pricing to learn how to make the most from your ceramics.

Expert Tip: With a sponge holder, before you make this or the other items that involve water, keep in mind that you want to have an area where the water drains. This keeps your kitchen counters sanitary. Mold and bacteria can start to form in standing water in as little as 48 hours. If someone buys a piece like this off you and they don’t see a drainage point for the water, they may think of you as an amateur.

Having a stylish sponge holder in the kitchen can add to the atmosphere. With any piece requested as custom work, charge extra for it.

#6: Vases

One of the ceramic pieces that many people go bonkers over, vases sell well for the decoration and chance to use them as a flower holder. The cool thing about vases is that it gives you the chance to wave your artistic wand of magic over it. You can express more of your creativity with ceramic vases.

Some people look for vases because they want them to become the cornerstone piece and conversation-starter in the home. Depending on the size, you can charge a little or a lot for vases. The one thing to keep in mind, vases will sell well according to the price. For a Bud Vase, you might charge $29, and $79 for a medium-sized vase and you will charge around $133 for a large vase.

When people buy vases, they often do it for decorative purposes, which could mean that they don’t sell as well as some of the other choices on this list.

#7: Teacups

Not only do they sell well, but you can sell them for more than some of the other ceramic wares. As any tea connoisseur will tell you, tea tastes its best from a proper teacup. The proper pricing for teacups will range anywhere from $20 to $120, but you may want to start on the lower end and see how well it sells. This may not be the hottest selling item on the market, but it can do well if you find the right place to sell it.

You have many options for creativity as well when it comes to teacups. The right teacup can prove integral to the almost-sacred experience of drinking tea.

#8: Plant Pots

Another one of the realms where your creativity will sell well is to make a living off selling artistic plant pots if you know how to start. You will usually charge anywhere from $25 to $50 for plant pottery. It sells well, and it sells quickly. You can also sell succulent plant holders anywhere from $10 to $30. The cool thing about selling this type of pottery comes from how you can sell more creative pots and still come out well.

The colorful choices will often perform well in this realm if you can find the right people for it. You can make standard pots as well and still come out well because many people just want a simple pot to put their flowers in.

For more detailed information on selling your pottery check out – How to Make a Living Selling Pottery

#9: Plates

You can do this part-time or full-time and make a good business out of selling plates alone. This choice never goes out of style and people always want to buy more plates. They either want to upgrade from an old set or buy a new set to give them extras. You may want to only sell it as a separate piece, rather than a set in some cases.

Expert Tip: During the holiday season, you have people who want to add an extra plate to the dinner table because they have one extra person. They may not want the whole set. Because of this, you may find it advantageous to sell plates as separate pieces, along with sets. This meets the needs of a person who may only want one or two extra plates, but it leaves you room to still sell sets.

Plates range in price from $10 to $50, depending on the design and number.

Conclusion

Especially if you find the right market for it, pottery sells incredibly well. You may want to add colorful glazes to your pottery because this adds a finished look to it that draws the eye. When you ship pottery to a buyer, make sure that you package it well, not a bubble mailer. You don’t want to sell a piece only to learn that it shattered on its way to delivery.

So you have finished reading the how to start a pottery business topic article, if you find this article useful, please share it. Thank you very much. See more: ceramic business, is a pottery business profitable, ceramic business ideas, marketing strategy of pottery business, pottery business near me, how much does it cost to open a pottery studio, pottery business plan, pottery business names

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