Selling Out, or Just Plain Selling

Today I went ahead and signed up for a table/booth for the Valentines day sale at SIUC.  (Not a great website, but it gives you the basics I guess.)  It is not a very big thing; it only looked like 15-20 people had signed up so far.  I figured I didn't have anything going on in February though, so I would go ahead and give it a shot.

I needed to get some new stuff done for a wholesale thing before February so I went ahead and made some stuff for the Valentines day sale too.  Now at first I was not too fond the whole kitchy, make things for specific holidays thing.  I had mixed feelings about making stuff specifically for this show, but I did it anyway...sort of.

Not exactly your run of the mill hearts and such, but sort of fits the whole Valentine's day thing...sort of.

I started writing some sort of diatribe about selling out by making stuff you wouldn't normally make for the holidays.  As I was working on it, though, it got kind of convoluted and messy, so instead I will just refer you to a previous post on Ron Philbeck's blog about making Christmas ornaments.  There is some good discussion on there about the perceived pottery class system and making what you enjoy making vs. making schlock to turn a quick buck.  If you haven't read it yet, check it out.

As far as the stuff for the Valentine's day sale, I don't think it falls into the schlock category.  I really enjoyed making (most) of the things I made.  That anatomical heart and the robots will definitely be coming back in the future.  And that was the general consensus on Ron's blog: if you enjoy making it, who gives a shite what other people say about it.

So what is the next holiday, St. Patrick's day?  I think I can work with that.  Until then...

-Rob, simple Circle Studios

It is snowing sideways

Thus far the winter season has been mild in southern Illinois to say the least.  Today, though, the high temperatures dropped into the low 30's and there has been a stiff breeze blowing.  I know this is no big deal for most folks north of the Mason-Dixon, but I hate cold weather.  Really hate it.  I would move to Hawaii if I could.  Thus, after going to the post office to mail a package (Yeah Etsy!) I am hiding inside while my trusty little propane heater warms up the studio.

In other news, Judy Tavill posted a blog about the benefits of a blog vs. facebook; a topic that has been on my mind lately.  I have always preferred blogging, but lately I have been thinking that one is not necessarily better, they just serve different purposes.

As I have said before, I was always opposed to facebook, despite my wife's insistence that I get an account.  It always seemed like a waste of time.  I never saw the point in dealing with all the inane bs that people put up on facebook.  No one cares what I had for breakfast or how many times I blew my nose today or how much I hate doing dishes; or at least they shouldn't.  Find something more constructive to do with your time.  Long story short, I have a facebook account...and it still seems like a big waste of time, at least for the most part. 

Facebook can, however, reach a large number of people quickly, which makes it a good marketing tool.  As some people have commented on Judy's post, a blog is good for connecting with other potters; facebook is good for connecting with potential customers.  This is the only reason I have not deleted my account yet. 
And even better, my wife got me a fancy ipod for Christmas.  This makes it very easy to snap a picture of whatever I am working on and throw it up on facebook without breaking the flow of my work day too much.  I can easily get my work in front of people and perhaps get them interested in what I am doing. 

I still prefer blogging to get ideas out into the ether.  I can flesh things out, think them through a little more, etc.  It is more like a nice letter to a long distance friend(s).  Facebook may have its place though.

And finally, some pictures of the last stuff out of the kiln.  These actually came out shortly before the new year, but I didn't want to put pictures up as some of them were Christmas presents.

Rooster Crock,  This seems to be a fairly popular design as I have gotten a few requests for similar items

Dandelion Vase

Plant/Vine Plate.  Just glad this one made it through without blowing up!

Surprise Mugs.  Each of my nieces and nephews got a personalized mug for Christmas.  Fun stuff

And some of this stuff is in my Etsy shop if you want to check that out.

Well, the studio is probably warmed up by now, so I probably ought to get to work.  It is handles and trimming and plates for the rest of the day.  If you find me on facebook you might get a quick shot of work in progress!

-Rob, Simple Circle Studios