The amazing properties of clay have long been used by potters in their craft. We are surrounded by a large number of ceramic products that are produced in factories. But handmade creative work is more appreciated. Household items and souvenirs created in private workshops are relevant at all times.
Potter profession, features.
You can learn pottery in individual lessons, in an educational institution where arts and crafts and folk crafts are taught. A graduate's career can develop in a factory, in a private workshop, or in individual craft work. Knowledge needed for a beginner artisan:
- basics of composition;
- features of different types of clay, glazes:
- methods of painting and applying glaze;
- molding of products;
- rules for working with the oven;
- production technology and firing.
Uniqueness and style of products will help to achieve success in pottery. The master will have to study the market and the range of competitors, develop his own production line. Dishes, souvenirs, magnets, jewelry boxes and jewelry are made at home.
Arrangement of the workshop.
To equip a home workshop, you will need two rooms on the ground floor: a warehouse and a workshop. Water, ventilation and electricity are compulsory communications. Racks and shelves are installed in the warehouse for storing finished products. The organization of production requires investments for the purchase of raw materials and tools. Minimum pottery set:
- Potter's wheel;
- clay kneading device;
- oven for firing products;
- scales;
- molds for casting the same type of elements;
- clay or ceramic mass;
- different types of glaze and paint;
- a set of tools (brushes, pens, stencils, stamps, etc.);
- decor elements (rhinestones, beads).
The budget needs to include the amount for equipment, materials, electricity, taxes and advertising costs. You can save on clay if you mine it yourself.
Ways to promote and sell goods.
A widespread free option for product promotion is social networks, blogs, forums. Your own website also solves the issue of presenting products to potential buyers, but development and regular filling requires time and additional money.
Finished products are sold through shops, fairs, and on the Internet. Handmade pottery is accepted for sale by private gift shops, tableware, hypermarkets, only prices may be lower than expected.
Fairs and exhibitions dedicated to pottery are a chance to get a high price for a product. You can find out about the events on the organizers' website; participation is paid.
A product made in a home workshop will find its buyer faster on online platforms:
- Instagram - a large network can provide an influx of customers;
- The Craftsmen's Fair is a specialized platform for selling hand-made products, but there is a lot of competition here;
- Patron, Russian platform, suitable for beginners, low competition, free product placement;
- Etsy - the foreign alternative to the "Fair of Craftsmen";
- Avito gives the opportunity for free promotion.
Pottery as a business.
If the production is fine, you should start legalizing your business. Individual work at home is self-employment. Starting from 2020, it is possible to register pottery in this mode in most regions of Russia through the My Tax application or the App Store. The monthly amount of self-employed tax is 4% of the proceeds.
Pottery is a craft that brings profit and pleasure to the master. It all starts with hobby, and can become "the work of a lifetime."
