Photo Credits: Tara Ashton
When I started my business I had a lot of questions and often felt overwhelmed. Not just questions about pottery, but questions about running a business, managing social medial, printing business cards, photographing product, shipping etc. I’d lay in bed some nights wondering if I was in over my head. But here I am years later entering another year of business. If I can do it, you can do it! I am so thankful for the other small businesses and artists who came alongside me and answered my questions. I mean, how am I supposed to know the difference between cameras lenses, where to print business cards, or know what clay to buy without trying them all myself? It can be expensive experimenting with various products in the beginning.
Not gonna lie, I still have a lot of questions, but I do have some answers for others who are starting their journey! Here are some of the tools/materials I use and answers to my most frequently asked questions.
Pottery Supplies/Tools
I purchase 99% of my pottery supplies and tools from Clay King Ceramics in Spartanburg, SC. Not only do they sell high quality products, they are incredibly kind and helpful if you ever call and have any questions. I’ve called many times when a glaze or tool isn’t performing how I had expected and always get excellent advice. Also you can get a discount when you order online and use codes Meraki5 ( $5 off orders over $50) and Meraki10 ($10 off orders over $100). Discounts only apply to the subtotal before shipping.
Some of my favorite products from Clay King:
Amaco Blue Green Satin Matte Glaze - This is my favorite navy matte blue! It is the blue I use on the inside of all of my city and floral mugs. It is very consistent, forgiving and never lets me down.
Amaco Wax Resist - I apply wax resist to the bottom of almost all of my mugs. It saves me so much time wiping up since I dip almost everything I make in glaze. Be carful when applying it to your pot because once it’s on there it can be difficult to remove. If you do happen to get it in the wrong area try gently scraping off the excess with an exacto knife then use a sanding pad to get the last layer off.
HF-9 Zinc-Free Clear (cone 5-6) - This is the glaze I use on top of my drawings. I buy zinc free because it keeps your colors vibrant. Only apply 2-3 coats, any thicker you might lose your drawings crisp lines. I fire to cone 6 slow cool.
Duncan Premium Gold OG805 - Gold luster makes everything more beautiful. If you have never used Gold Luster before its really easy and fun! You apply the liquid gold to a finished piece of work with a paintbrush then fire to cone 018. It’s a red color when you apply it but after the firing its a beautiful shiny gold. You are going to want to clean your brushes really well after using it. I actually just use goo gone or dish soap to clean my brushes.
Dirty Girls Round Bat System - I bought this bat system a year after I started my business and have loved it. You can get either round or square inserts. I also bought the Xiem Bat Lifter to go with this set to help me get the bats out. Not everyone needs one of these but if you struggle with any sort of pain in your hands this tool can be a life saver.
X-Sponge II - After throwing a tall, narrow form it is difficult to get water out of the bottom of your thrown piece. This sponge was a game changer for me. The handle extends so I can reach the water at the base of a tall mug or even a narrow vase.
Oval Sanding Pads, 120/220, 280/400 Grit - I buy lots of different types of sanding pads because I sand everything. These are my go to sanding pads but I do have quite a few I like. Sanding my work was never something I did in the beginning but now I sand everything, especially necklaces! The backs of necklaces can be rough enough to ruin a shirt (especially shirts made out of silk). Sanding the back of the necklace pendant can save a shirt and takes your work to the next level. I sand everything until its smooth especial items with large surfaces like the bottoms of plates, cheese boards, paint pallets, etc. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes! Tip: sand after everything has been bisqued, before glazing. It will be way easier to sand! Make sure you clean your mugs after sanding so that the glaze doesn’t crawl in the kiln.
Giffin Grip - This tool was another game changer that I went years without. I use this to trim literally everything. It provides a lot more stability to your pot while trimming, especially when trimming tall items.
What clay body do you use?
I have been using Kentucky Mudworks White Lightning Porcelain….for like ever. Clay King just stopped selling it so I am currently experimenting with some new clay bodies so I will keep you all posted on what I discover.
What tool do you use to draw?
When it comes to drawing I tried everything under the sun and finally settled on the FineLine 8126 20 Gauge Applicator & Bottle. You can purchase it in a 3 pack. I like this one better than the 18 gauge because the lines are so small!
Is the applicator just like using a pen/pencil?
No! It took me some time to adjust to holding and squeezing at the same time. If you have spent your entire life drawing with pens like me then there is definitely a learning curve. But that being said with a little practice it is basically second nature now.
Do you add water to the applicator?
Not usually. I shake my underglaze really well then fill 3/4ths of the applicator pouring carefully or using a mini funnel. Attach the lid back on and start drawing. If the underglaze isn’t coming out it might be too thick. Add 3 drops of water using a disposable dropper or a dropper bottles. Shake the applicator well and try again. You should not have to squeeze hard for the underglaze to come out. While drawing I occasionally wipe the tip on my thumb or clean the tip using the attached needle inside the lid. When storing always insert the needle into the tip of the applicator so that no underglaze dries in the tip of the applicator.
How do you get such fine lines?
I draw on greenware with the FineLine 8126 20 Gauge Applicator & Bottle then use an Exacto Knife to refine the lines. Water can leave smudges that show up in later firings so if a line is too thick or a little crooked the exact knife works like my eraser.
What underglaze do you use?
I love Amacos Velvet Series Underglazes. I have a variety of these colors and am always experimenting with new colors. The blue I use for all of my city and floral drawings is called Royal Blue, but all of their underglazes Ive tried so far are great.
Do you make your own glazes?
No, I buy Amaco and Mayco glazes. For my colored mugs I have been experimenting mixing glazes with Mason Stains to get specific colors I want.
What do you use for your digital drawings?
I got by for a long time doing things the hard way. Don’t do that. Go get yourself an iPad. I use the 11” iPad Pro and 2nd Generation Pencil. I originally bought the tablet to be able to do digital drawings and now I use it for literally everything. All of my packaging design, digital drawings, logo design, editing photos, custom order mockup sketches, square purchases, etc. I use the app procreate for all of my designs which is pretty cheap and is really easy to use.
Do you teach classes?
Yes! In 2021 I started teaching an intro class at Hollowed Earth Pottery in Greenville SC. If you have always wanted to have a go at throwing you should defiantly come check us out! There is a team of amazing teachers and I guarantee you a good time!
What magnets do you use for your fridge magnets?
I buy my magnets online. I wanted magnets that were strong and wouldn’t fall off the fridge when holding thicker paper. I tried a few different types by finally settle on these and have been happy with them.
Where do you buy your jewelry supplies?
Most of my jewelry supplies come from Rio Grande Jewelry Supply. I started buying gold filled chain. I was using cheaper products from Hobby Lobby or even online jewelry stores that with time the metal would change color or even cause allergic reactions so I decided to start buying 14/20 kt gold filled chain. Customers should purchase something that will last and there is nothing that makes me more sad than when my favorite necklace chain loses its color.
What glue do you use for your magnets and jewelry?
I tried so many different glues over the years. I am always experimenting with different glues to be honest. I now use Epoxy from Rio Grande and have been pretty happy with it. It is a much stronger bond than anything else I have used in the past.
Want to see some of these tools being used? Click on this link to watch a short tutorial video.
Booth Display
Getting ready for a show the first time can be expensive and overwhelming. I tried lots of different set ups before I found one I liked.
Where do you buy your booth displays?
I highly recommend using products from Vertical Ledge. Not only is their product amazing, they are so down to earth and kind. They are also always coming out with new products and do frequent giveaways (I even won something from them once and was full on dancing because I never win anything). So defiantly give them a follow on Instagram @vertical_ledge to see what they are up to.
For my very first show I did a lot of DIY projects. I wanted wooden signs so I ordered from CarpenterFarmhouse on Etsy. I sent them the digital PDF and they sent me some beautiful wooden signage which I painted white. I was so happy with how affordable and professional they were and still use those signs over 2 years later.
To display items like plates, cheese boards, paint pallets I use these cute little bamboo plate holders from Ikea. I use them in my studio, at shows and when photographing large flat items.
I decided recently to go with a couple of ivar Ikea shelves for display purposes. I have one set up in my home studio that I occasionally use at shows. If you use them at shows make sure you weigh them down. I bought pillow cases from Goodwill and my friend helped me make mini sand bags to go on the bottom shelf during shows. I also had a friend help me make a small pegboard that can be easily attached to the back of the shelf where I display jewelry, magnets and ornaments during shows. It looks so good and is easy to assemble.
Do you need a tent and table?
I was able to avoid buying a table and tent for a while by borrowing from friends but I did finally have to get my own. I ordered the Eurmax 10x10 canopy tent off Amazon. Defiantly do a set up before your show and make sure you have sand, rope, tent pegs etc. It is better to be over prepared than to send your husband out into the wilderness searching for rocks and sand in the cold the morning of a show……sorry Stephen…I love you.
I bought my table off of Amazon as well. We have a really small car so I wanted to make sure I got a folding table I could easily fit in the boot/trunk of our car. When I’m not using it at shows it is used for outdoor photoshoots, assembling jewelry in my studio, etc.
How do you take payment?
I use square card reader for all card transactions. My iPad and phone have the square app where I organize all of my inventory and prices. It keeps everything in one place and is so easy to use. While most everyone uses a card you do occasionally get cash orders so you might want to purchase a cash box.
What do I need for shows?
Definatly get yourself an emergency box for shows. This has been a life saver! What do I keep in this box? Everything I might need day of a show. The Latch Mate Storage Container is my emergency box of choice. You can buy different sizes. I use the smaller size for storing tags but the medium size is perfect for taking to shows. Here is a general Checklist of everything I take to my shows!
Photography
Do you take your product photos yourself?
Yes, I do. Photography is incredibly important to your business! I have a Nikon 3600 that I got off Amazon and I use Adobe Lightroom for editing photos. I am not professional photographer but a good camera and an editing program can go a long way.
Where do you get photography props?
Anywhere and everywhere! I have a box of props where I keep cute scissors, ribbon scraps, wooden spoons, tea towels, dried florals, etc. I buy most of my props from Goodwill. I like wood and brass accents which is pretty easy to find at thrift stores…but sometimes I spray paint things to get the look I want! I also borrow things from other rooms in my house…or my friends houses lol.
What do you use for backdrops?
I tried lots of DIY photography backdrops but was never really happy with the quality. This is an area I have found it is worth investing money in.
When looking for photography backdrops I recommend Replica Surfaces. They are high quality, lightweight, easy to use, and you can order small corner stands to hold them up. These are by far my favorite photography product. I don’t think I have ever taken a photo I didn’t like with these. I use them for flat lays and as backdrops. They are also easy to clean so if I get food on them I just wipe them down with a damp cloth.
I’ve also ordered a few larger backdrops from Ink & Elm. I like these because they are cheaper and larger than my replica surface. That being said they are a little more difficult to use as a background since they aren’t firm so you have to find a way to hang them. I use these mostly for my flat lays. They are also really easy to store, I just role them up and put them in a tube. I usually lay them out flat a couple hours before I’m ready to start taking photos to get any “roll” out of them.
If you really want to save some money go to Lowes and buy sample backsplashes. You can make a small subway or marble tile prop. The down side is they can be heavy but it is a great way to get a variety of backgrounds at an affordable price.
How do you travel with your camera?
So this one isn’t a need…just a really cute travel camera bag lol. I kept my eyes on these for like 2 years before I finally bought the Photographer Organization Case- Blush Fable. When I travel and take my camera I don’t like traveling with my bulky generic camera bag, especially on a plane because it automatically becomes a carry on. I went with the organizer instead of a bag because I can stick it inside whatever bag/purse I have at the time and be flexible. But defiantly check out everything they have!
Packaging and Shipping
Presentation of your product is really important. Customers should not feel like their order was just thrown into a box, but that it was carefully and beautifully wrapped. I double box all pieces I ship then add pretty accents to the inside boxes such as stickers or ribbon to seal the smaller boxes. Adding decorative tape to the outside of the box can really make a difference. I get so many messages from customers saying how excited they were when they saw the tape on the box because they knew immediately it was their order.
Here are some of my favorite places to order shipping/packaging supplies:
Sticker Mule - That pretty floral tape I use on the outside of all of my boxes? It’s from Sticker Mule. I used Procreate on my iPad to design the florals then sent Sticker Mule the image online. It was super easy to do and really makes the biggest difference when it comes to packaging.
Uline - Uline is where I go for all of my shipping needs. I buy shipping boxes, jewelry boxes, gift bags, and packaging tape from here. They are located 2 hrs from me in GA so I drive there once a year to stock up on supplies and save money on shipping. There is an Australian bakery “nearby” so I always just make a day trip out of it and have fun!
Nashville Wraps – You can buy tissue paper on Amazon or Uline but I prefer to get mine from Nashville wraps. They have lots of colors and size options and Ive been ordering from them since I started my business.
Anastasia Marie Shop - I love this girls ribbon! I have bought from her so many times and it is always an amazing experience! All of the ribbon comes on these adorable little wooden squares or wooden spools. I use the ribbon for packing, photography props, Christmas ornaments, and even attaching tags to pottery.
Fringe and Rose - Every now and then I need some fancy paper for some fancy tags. And this is where I go! It is the most beautiful paper. It is so pretty I use it for my photoshoots sometimes. You can also buy ribbon here which I am planning on doing in the future.
I bought my packaging paper off amazon. You can buy in larger quantities from Uline but I just don’t have the storage. This paper is a little thicker than tissue paper so great for shipping, wrapping larger items. It has lasted me ages!
Did you hear I’m starting a second business this year?! Meraki Paper! Im going to be selling my digital art prints! Anyway, this ruler from Amazon was the first thing I bought! I have seen other artist using this ruler to get that beautiful rough edge rip. A great way to make your paper look a little extra fancy.
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I hope this helps answers some of your questions! If you have any questions about pottery, photography, owning a business or just life in general haha feel free to message me on Instagram @merakipottery or send me an email at merakipottery@gmail.com and I will get back to you as soon as I can.