L Shields on fri 27 apr 07
Hello,
As a benefit of adding a stall to the garage I have ended up with a small studio space (10x22) underneath. I have a wheel, electric kiln, lots of shelves, a wedging table and a small work table.
I have been asked to give a couple of college students some basic throwing lessons. I am not skilled enough yet to offer much beyond how to do bowls and cylinders. I am still challenged by lids and handles, but getting better.
I have two questions.
1) I wonder how much I could charge for lessons. I know that I would need insurance,etc. I am thinking that maybe this is the time to start thinking in terms of a business as opposed a hobby ( I have to do something with all the stuff I am making!).
2) I am thinking of a second wheel but I have limited space. I am thinking of the Throw and Go wheel as it would be good for small space and could be put away when not needed. Does anyone have experience with this wheel? The other possibility is the Creative Industries Arista wheel but I have seen discussion about that piece of equipment.
3) I do have a friend who works with me occasionally but instead of charging her I exchange dog care when I have need of help. It is a good arrangement for both of us. She misses her dog and gets a little dog time ( sort off like a grandma..they go home and not stay) and I get some needed help when I am out of town.
Thanks for you help.
Linda Shields
---------------------------------
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John Rodgers on fri 27 apr 07
Regards teaching - my hat is off to those who teach. It can be soul
satisfying to teach - be it clay or be it flying or be it biology, or
what ever. I did it for years - principally in schools.
But;
Teaching at home introduces a whole bunch of problems, many connected
with the liability of teaching at home.
And;
One needs to really consider ones time and productivity. It is one thing
to make a few things in clay for fun, but quite another to focus on
making a living at clay work. In the case of pottery, which is my main
focus, I could not afford to teach, though I am often asked, and would
find it fun. Why? Liability is one. But there is also the production to
consider. Around my area $25/hour is top dollar for teaching the wheel.
In that one hour I can throw $240 worth of pots easy.
So;
If you are in the hobby phase of pottery and clay, by all means, do what
is fun, including teaching - if your skill levels are up to it. You
would not want any potential students to be short changed.
But;
If you want to move into that mysterious and wonderous realm of
"Potter", then keep the focus, bear to the task, and throw, throw,
throw, until your skills are at a level where you can whip out 100 mugs
or 30 bowls or whatever in a day - and not be so whipped out by evening
that dinning out would not even be enjoyable.
Mayor Mel says draw yourself a 50 mile radius circle around you, get to
know every possible outlet in that circle for your things, and when you
take a number count, you will see that you have many, many 10- 12 hour
days of throwing ahead just to keep your store orders filled, much less
take on anything else.
It works for me.
Good luck,
Regards,
John Rodgers
Chelsea, AL
L Shields wrote:
> Hello,
> As a benefit of adding a stall to the garage I have ended up with a small studio space (10x22) underneath. I have a wheel, electric kiln, lots of shelves, a wedging table and a small work table.
>
> I have been asked to give a couple of college students some basic throwing lessons. I am not skilled enough yet to offer much beyond how to do bowls and cylinders. I am still challenged by lids and handles, but getting better.
>
> I have two questions.
>
> 1) I wonder how much I could charge for lessons. I know that I would need insurance,etc. I am thinking that maybe this is the time to start thinking in terms of a business as opposed a hobby ( I have to do something with all the stuff I am making!).
>
> 2) I am thinking of a second wheel but I have limited space. I am thinking of the Throw and Go wheel as it would be good for small space and could be put away when not needed. Does anyone have experience with this wheel? The other possibility is the Creative Industries Arista wheel but I have seen discussion about that piece of equipment.
>
> 3) I do have a friend who works with me occasionally but instead of charging her I exchange dog care when I have need of help. It is a good arrangement for both of us. She misses her dog and gets a little dog time ( sort off like a grandma..they go home and not stay) and I get some needed help when I am out of town.
>
> Thanks for you help.
> Linda Shields
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell?
> Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.
>
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