Ned Ludd on mon 18 feb 02
Sabie and Jack wrote:
>We have a studio & retail shop combination, and we have two great friends
>that help us out. In turn, they have full use of the studio, equip,
>clay,etc. We have a seasonal business and we are close to going into
>crazy mode. We would like to pay piece work but we are clueless as far
>as: 1. how much? Since we are providing clay & glaze, it has to be less
>than wholesale. 15th about failures, pay for a piece after it's bisqued,
>or all the way to completion. 4. Should they buy the clay, then we pay
>for the pieces? They can also make their own pieces and sell them in our
>retail shop, how much "commission" should we take since we are providing
>the studio. Or should we just buy those pieces outright, less than
>wholesale?
> I hope someone has some insight here. We are in an area where we are
>the only pottery for miles around, so I feel that offering a great studio
>to those who otherwise would not be able to work in clay, is a terrific
>benefit, not to mention sharing our entire customer base. But on the
>other hand, we can't expect them to work for nothing. Any advise will be
>appreciated here in (slower) lower Delaware. Sabie & Jack
Hi Sabie & Jack
The term "piecework" refers to the way a hired potter is paid for
defined jobs done, usually pots completed short of firing. Most if
not all throwers are paid this way.
It is not clear from your post if you will actually be hiring your
friends, paying them piecework, or if you are thinking of them paying
you by piecework, ie. the number of pots they make, in return for
their using your studio equipment and materials. Or some combination
of the two, which starts to get complicated.
Now this is just my opinion, based on my experience, but I wince
whenever somebody talks about employing their good friends. Do think
about this carefully before you take the plunge, because getting into
this arrangement is much easier than getting out.
At the risk of making generalisations: Employers give orders,
employees obey: there's nothing egalitarian about this. True
friendship is based on equality, in my view. Without it, it can't
last. Masters (of either sex) and servants are not friends, however
well they get along. Think about it: it's about power, not altruism.
Friends share power. Partnership is what works for them, if anything
does. In employment, power belongs to the one who is boss. Not that
there's anything wrong with that! No friendship does _not_ mean no
successful relationship, with goodwill and respect.
If you imagine I must be speaking from personal experience you are
absolutely right. I had a great friendship ruined this way early in
my career. It just took a month or two of working for him (his idea)
at his busy production studio. Don't get me wrong: I was competent,
Henry had no complaints about my work, and I made
money for his pottery.
I remember a growing awkwardness in the air, then one day he flew
into a rage...towering big guy in my face, yelling... believe it or
not, something to do with tying my shoelaces with my foot on a box of
clay. That was it... I kid you not!
I walked out. It was over.
Obviously there must have been unconscious stuff piling up that was
triggered at that weird moment, not explained by it. I've worked for
many potters since, over twenty, and nothing like this happened
again.... thank heavens! Sure, one or two were practically off their
rockers, but nothing I couldn't deal with, and hey, we're all
potters, right?
So for me, I love friendship too much to want to risk it by hiring or
being hired by someone I love. What's to possibly gain? Money. What's
to possibly lose? A friend.
Is the risk worth it? You decide.
good luck,
Ned
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