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#311: 3 reasons to do commissioned pottery and 3 reasons not to
46 Plays2 years ago
Listen in as I, Nic Torres, explore the multifaceted world of commission pottery, guiding you through the perks and pitfalls of custom ceramic creations. I kick things off by revealing how commissioned work can significantly enhance your pottery skills, pushing you to craft one-of-a-kind pieces that can not only broaden your artistic repertoire but also fill your pockets. Embrace the challenge as it thrusts you out of your comfort zone, compelling you to grow as an artist and discover new dimensions within your craft.
But it's not all smooth spinning on the pottery wheel—tune in as I also unpack the potential downsides of commission work. Dealing with the unpredictability of customer demands can lead to frustrating scenarios where your hard work doesn't see the light of day—or the inside of a kiln. Plus, I'll discuss how creative freedom can be stifled when your artistic expression is bound to the specifications of a client's vision. Whether you're a seasoned potter or your hands have only recently met the clay, this conversation is tailored to give you a balanced perspective on navigating the world of commissioned pottery.
Send Nic a Voicemail by clicking here https://www.speakpipe.com/ShapingYourPottery
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Transcript
Introduction to Commission Pottery
00:00:00
Speaker
Here are three reasons why you should be doing commission pottery and here are three reasons why you shouldn't be doing commission pottery. What is up Shaping Nation? This is Nick Torres here for the Don't Know Me. It is my mission to help potters like yourselves to cover your own unique parts of pottery and give the making of tricks and tips I have learned along the way.
Benefits of Commission Pottery
00:00:19
Speaker
I'm going to be talking about three reasons why not to do commission pottery, three reasons why to do commission pottery in this video. So let's get started. Let's start with why you should be doing commission pottery. So the first reason why you should be doing commission pottery is simply because it will help you build up your pottery scheme. You know, if you have somebody that is buying commission work for you,
00:00:42
Speaker
It's normally going to be unique, right? It's going to be one of a kind. It's going to be unique. And because they are describing it to you, you may be able to build up your skills by simply literally doing something you've never done before. You may be able to get some practice in and doing something you've never done before. And it's a very good way to build up your skills with your pottery.
Commission Pottery as Income and Skill Development
00:01:04
Speaker
The second reason why you should be doing commission pottery is it's a really good way to actually make some money.
00:01:11
Speaker
know, with your pottery, you know, maybe if you're new to pottery or you or maybe been doing it for maybe a year and you're looking to start getting more people are looking at your pottery and the BMU if you do commission pottery, it's a good way to start making some money. And to recap so far, the first one is it helps you build your skills really well. And the second reason why
00:01:38
Speaker
doing commercial pottery is a good thing is it can help you make some money along the way and help you pay for more stuff in pottery. The third reason why
00:01:47
Speaker
Doing commission pottery is great as it gets you out of your comfort zone. A lot of times we get stuck in our comfort zone with our own pottery. And when we get stuck in our comfort zone with our pottery, that's when we're not going to be able to grow as a potter. We're not going to be able to build our skills effectively. And we're not going to be able to find our clothes or expand upon it because we get you comfort. Come, come, come.
00:02:11
Speaker
And if we are able to get out of our comfort zone, that's when our skills start to grow. And a commissioned pottery allows us to get out of our comfort zone. I said earlier, it helps us build our skills, but also helps get out of our comfort zone because now we have to make pottery that we've maybe never made before. It helps us get out of our comfort zone and we start making things that are just out of our comfort zone and we have to be a better potter.
00:02:35
Speaker
Number one is help build your skills as a potter. Number two, you can start making some money along the way. Number three is to get out of your comfort zone and start expanding your skills a little bit.
Challenges of Commission Pottery
00:02:48
Speaker
So here are the three reasons why you shouldn't do commission pottery. So number one is pretty obvious is that you have to deal with customer
00:02:57
Speaker
You know, maybe they, a customer said they wanted something and then they completely changed their mind. But you already made the piece. Now you're stuck with a piece that they didn't want. And now maybe they're not going to pay you because they didn't want it. And that could be.
00:03:30
Speaker
The second reason why you probably shouldn't do
00:03:34
Speaker
commission pottery is that you have less freedom to do what you actually want to do. You know, if you have a commission piece for you and they really bought it, then you have way less freedom to do what you actually want. They have they have an idea that they have a thing that you want to make.
00:03:52
Speaker
And you have to make that thing. You don't have the real freedom to go what you want to make and what you want to do. So the two so far of why not to do commission pottery is simply one, you have to deal with customer complaints and customers all the time. Number two, you have less freedom to do what you want.
Time Management and Commission Pottery
00:04:09
Speaker
Number three, it could take time to make certain pieces, to make pieces for your pottery.
00:04:14
Speaker
And especially outside facts as well, like, you know, maybe a piece blows it going to kill them or maybe it just doesn't turn out how you want it. And you have to restart. So time is a big factor in commission pieces. And sometimes people just want it right away. And time can be a big thing in poverty. It's already a big thing in poverty, but doing commission pieces can make it even more so.
00:04:38
Speaker
So those are the three reasons why not to. So number one, you get to deal with customer complaints. Number two is you have less freedom to make what you want. Number three is it could take time to make certain pieces and to make it come out good as well.
Advice for Handling Commissions
00:04:50
Speaker
If you were thinking about going down the route of doing commission pieces, here's some advice for you.
00:04:58
Speaker
So number one, if you're going to do commission pieces, always get a deposit. And on the funnel deposit, because this is your time, you need to make some money for it no matter what. I don't care if you're afraid to ask for a deposit, ask for a deposit no matter what, because there's a good chance that they could maybe not like it. So you got to get a deposit because this is your time. Your time is worth it. Get a deposit.
00:05:23
Speaker
of non-refundable deposit so that you can make at least some money and save on your time a little bit. Number two is set boundaries on what you want to make. Don't be making everything and anything if people ask for you. You know, if you don't like making banana stuff, don't make bananas. Set boundaries for your pottery. And that is everything that it'll take for you to start doing commission pottery.
Conclusion and Listener Engagement
00:05:50
Speaker
Hey, thanks for listening to this episode of Shaping Your Pottery with Nick Torres. If you would like to send me your own voicemail and have questions about pottery or finding your voice, don't be afraid to send me that. You can go to shapingyourpottery.com forward slash voicemail to send me your own voice message and I'll do my best to answer the question. You can also look in the show notes and it'll be there. I hope you guys enjoy this episode and I'll see you guys in the next one.