Podcast
Wheel Talk
Hosted by Ryan Durbin & Becca Otis · EN
Ryan Durbin (@rdceramics) & Becca Otis (@5linespottery) share their experiences as potters, makers, small business owners, and creatives. Becca is a full time studio potter, while Ryan is a full time website developer and part time potter. We'd love to share our ups and downs along the way as we build our skills as makers and small business owners in an honest, informal manner. We hope to bring you helpful tips we've learned over the years, learn from each other, and share expertise from a number of guests with you also. Please join us for some Wheel Talk!
34episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Building Successful Gallery Relationships with Michelle O'Brien
1w ago01:02:54Tap to summarizeMichelle O'Brien joins the podcast to share the story behind Elliot Fouts Gallery and what it takes to build lasting relationships between galleries and artists. She discusses the gallery's partnership with ceramic artist Jeff Nebeker, managing high-demand releases, and the logistics of selling and shipping fragile ceramic work. The conversation also explores pricing, consignment, and practical advice for artists interested in working with galleries.-----Find more about Michelle below-----Website - efgallery.comInstagram - @efgallery and @the.gallery.girlFacebook - Elliott Fouts Gallery📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email ListGet occasional updates, listener questions, book club picks, and giveaways from Wheel Talk.👉 Sign up hereSponsorsL&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.comBuschKraft - The Dragonfly System is a versatile carving setup with interchangeable blades and affordable replacements, available as a single tool or a 3-handle, 8-blade Starter Kit. Get 15% off with code BKWHEELTALK26 at buschkraft.com. Limit one use per customer. Cannot be combined with other discounts.Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/WheeltalkpodcastFollow us on Instagram:@wheeltalkpodcast@rdceramics@5linespotteryVisit our website:www.wheeltalkpotcast.comWheel Talk YouTube Channel
Transcribe →How to Grow Your Art Business Close to Home
2w ago01:43:30Tap to summarizeRyan and Becca discuss practical ways artists can build stronger connections within their local communities and create lasting opportunities for their businesses. From farmers markets and local Facebook groups to workshops, collaborations, and community events, they share ideas for growing a local audience and why showing up consistently can be more valuable than chasing the next big art fair.Maker of the MomentMel Casey - @embodiedceramicsCasey Ann Hanrahan - @caseyannhanrahan📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email ListGet occasional updates, listener questions, book club picks, and giveaways from Wheel Talk.👉 Sign up hereSponsorsL&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.comBuschKraft - The Dragonfly System is a versatile carving setup with interchangeable blades and affordable replacements, available as a single tool or a 3-handle, 8-blade Starter Kit. Get 15% off with code BKWHEELTALK26 at buschkraft.com. Limit one use per customer. Cannot be combined with other discounts.Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/WheeltalkpodcastFollow us on Instagram:@wheeltalkpodcast@rdceramics@5linespotteryVisit our website:www.wheeltalkpotcast.comWheel Talk YouTube Channel
Transcribe →Building BuschKraft Tools with Nicholai Busch
3w ago02:03:47Tap to summarizeNicholai Busch joins the podcast to share his journey from developing tools at DiamondCore to launching his own company, BuschKraft Tools. He discusses the decision to build a new brand from the ground up, his approach to designing pottery tools, and the challenges of manufacturing, testing, and growing a small business. The conversation also explores the importance of relationships within the ceramics community and how conferences like ClayCon and NCECA helped shape the company's early growth.-----Find more about Nicholai below-----Website - buschkraft.comInstagram - @buschkraftstudioFacebook - BuschKraftTikTok - @buschkraftstudio📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email ListGet occasional updates, listener questions, book club picks, and giveaways from Wheel Talk.👉 Sign up hereSponsorsL&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.comBuschKraft - The Dragonfly System is a versatile carving setup with interchangeable blades and affordable replacements, available as a single tool or a 3-handle, 8-blade Starter Kit. Get 15% off with code BKWHEELTALK26 at buschkraft.com. Limit one use per customer. Cannot be combined with other discounts.Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/WheeltalkpodcastFollow us on Instagram:@wheeltalkpodcast@rdceramics@5linespotteryVisit our website:www.wheeltalkpotcast.comWheel Talk YouTube Channel
Transcribe →Designing Better Planters (with Taylor Swilley)
May 3001:18:13Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Becca and Taylor Swilley answer listener questions about plants and pottery, covering everything from drainage holes and planter design to succulent care and specialized pots for different types of plants. They also share thoughts on making and selling planters, common challenges potters face, and why the plant community can be such a strong market for ceramic work.-----Find more about Taylor’s business below-----Instagram - @backyardkilnWebsite - backyardkiln.com📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email ListGet occasional updates, listener questions, book club picks, and giveaways from Wheel Talk.👉 Sign up hereSponsorsL&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.comBuschKraft - The Dragonfly System is a versatile carving setup with interchangeable blades and affordable replacements, available as a single tool or a 3-handle, 8-blade Starter Kit. Get 15% off with code BKWHEELTALK26 at buschkraft.shop. Limit one use per customer. Cannot be combined with other discounts.Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/WheeltalkpodcastFollow us on Instagram:@wheeltalkpodcast@rdceramics@5linespotteryVisit our website:www.wheeltalkpotcast.comWheel Talk YouTube Channel
Transcribe →Reviving a Community Ceramics Program with Natalie Wagner
May 2301:38:58Tap to summarizeNatalie Wagner joins the podcast to share her efforts to revive and expand the ceramics program at the Peterson-McCormick Boys & Girls Club in Chicago. She discusses rebuilding the program after the original kiln failed, how community support helped fund its return, and her long-term vision for creating sustainable opportunities for students through ceramics education and apprenticeships.-----Find more about Natalie below-----Go Fund Me for Boys and Girls Club ChicagoInstagram - @big_feeling_ceramicsWebsite - https://www.bigfeelingceramics.com/📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email ListGet occasional updates, listener questions, book club picks, and giveaways from Wheel Talk.👉 Sign up hereSponsorsL&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.comBuschKraft - The Dragonfly System is a versatile carving setup with interchangeable blades and affordable replacements, available as a single tool or a 3-handle, 8-blade Starter Kit. Get 15% off with code BKWHEELTALK26 at buschkraft.shop. Limit one use per customer. Cannot be combined with other discounts.Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/WheeltalkpodcastFollow us on Instagram:@wheeltalkpodcast@rdceramics@5linespotteryVisit our website:www.wheeltalkpotcast.comWheel Talk YouTube Channel
Transcribe →Scaling Your Pottery Business Without Breaking It (with Heidi Fahrenbacher)
May 1601:38:34Tap to summarizeRyan is joined by Heidi Fahrenbacher for a conversation about balancing growth, production, and sustainability while building a ceramics business. Prompted by listener questions about burnout, workflow, and scaling a pottery side hustle, they discuss structuring making schedules around kiln cycles, managing inventory and multiple sales channels, and recognizing when momentum is supported versus unsustainable. Together, they reflect on the realities of building a long-term creative business without letting every opportunity push the rest of life to a breaking point.Maker of the MomentRachael DePauw - @depauwpotteryJohn Brown - @johnbrown.ceramics -----Find more about Heidi's business below-----Instagram - @bellajoypotteryWebsite - bellajoypottery.com📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email ListGet occasional updates, listener questions, book club picks, and giveaways from Wheel Talk.👉 Sign up hereSponsorsL&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.comBuschKraft - The Dragonfly System is a versatile carving setup with interchangeable blades and affordable replacements, available as a single tool or a 3-handle, 8-blade Starter Kit. Get 15% off with code BKWHEELTALK26 at buschkraft.shop. Limit one use per customer. Cannot be combined with other discounts.Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/WheeltalkpodcastFollow us on Instagram:@wheeltalkpodcast@rdceramics@5linespotteryVisit our website:www.wheeltalkpotcast.comWheel Talk YouTube Channel
Transcribe →Finding success with Tim See (Replay)
May 903:16:57Tap to summarizeReplay Episode: In this replay, Ryan and Becca are joined by Tim See to discuss a range of topics including: workshops, selling at shows, social media, and more.Ryan and Becca have a great time chatting today with Tim See from Tim See Ceramics. He is known for his robotic illustrative work, Facebook commentary in the Clay Buddies group, & hilarious personality. We cover such a wide range of topics across our 3 hours of discussion and it was such a fun ride. We hope you enjoy!-----Find more about Tim's business below-----Instagram - @timseeclayWebsite - http://www.timseeceramics.com/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTkXls_DXtwl9f2lt5qmoswFacebook page - https://www.facebook.com/TimSeeClay/Facebook groupsBeginners Throwing Class with Tim SeeTim's Pottery Sale GroupThe Friendly Business of ClayResourcesCeramics Monthly Workshop Logistics - https://kiefferceramics.files.wordpress.com/2019/12/kieffer-workshop-logistics-2020-cm.pdfSupport the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/WheeltalkpodcastFollow us on Instagram:@wheeltalkpodcast@rdceramics@5linespotteryVisit our website:www.wheeltalkpotcast.comWheel Talk YouTube Channel
Transcribe →Wheel Talk Book Club: The Creative Act (with Taylor Swilley)
Apr 2501:38:42Tap to summarizeRyan and Becca return with another chapter of the Wheel Talk Podcast book club, exploring The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin. Joined once again by Taylor Swilley, they reflect on the book’s perspective of creativity as a way of being, discussing awareness, intuition, and making work without attachment to outcomes, and how those ideas translate or don’t translate into their own studio practices, creative decision-making, and running a ceramics business.Our next book club selection will be announced in the coming months and released in the next season. See all the books we've covered on Becca's Amazon list at https://amzn.to/3X5yZOX-----Find more about Taylor’s business below-----Instagram - @backyardkilnWebsite - backyardkiln.com📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email ListGet occasional updates, listener questions, book club picks, and giveaways from Wheel Talk.👉 Sign up hereSponsorsL&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.comBuschKraft - The Dragonfly System is a versatile carving setup with interchangeable blades and affordable replacements, available as a single tool or a 3-handle, 8-blade Starter Kit. Get 15% off with code BKWHEELTALK26 at buschkraft.shop. Limit one use per customer. Cannot be combined with other discounts.Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/WheeltalkpodcastFollow us on Instagram:@wheeltalkpodcast@rdceramics@5linespotteryVisit our website:www.wheeltalkpotcast.comWheel Talk YouTube Channel
Transcribe →Paying a Studio Assistant (Part 2)
Apr 1802:21:36Tap to summarizeHow should you actually pay a studio assistant—and what’s fair? In part two of this conversation, Ryan & Becca break down different compensation options, from hourly pay to studio access, and the tradeoffs that come with each.We also talk about how to set clear expectations, avoid common mistakes, and put simple structures in place so the working relationship is clear from the start.Maker of the Moment- Sophie Bays @pyropotteryllc- Alexie Smith @lxceramix📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email ListGet occasional updates, listener questions, book club picks, and giveaways from Wheel Talk.👉 Sign up hereSponsorsL&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.comBuschKraft - The Dragonfly System is a versatile carving setup with interchangeable blades and affordable replacements, available as a single tool or a 3-handle, 8-blade Starter Kit. Get 15% off with code BKWHEELTALK26 at buschkraft.shop. Limit one use per customer. Cannot be combined with other discounts.Speedball Ceramics - New Speedball Studio Plus glazes coming soon. Available in 16 colors and firing range from cone 06 to 6. Explore the full Speedball Ceramics lineup at speedballart.com.Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/WheeltalkpodcastFollow us on Instagram:@wheeltalkpodcast@rdceramics@5linespotteryVisit our website:www.wheeltalkpotcast.comWheel Talk YouTube Channel
Transcribe →Before You Hire a Studio Assistant… (Part 1)
Apr 1102:15:21Tap to summarizeThinking about hiring a studio assistant—but not sure if you’re actually ready? In Part One of this conversation, we break down how to identify bottlenecks in your studio, when better systems might be the real solution, and how to decide if it’s time to bring someone on.We also talk through how to find the right person, what to prioritize when hiring, and how to delegate and train in a way that genuinely frees up your time.📬 Join the Wheel Talk Email ListGet occasional updates, listener questions, book club picks, and giveaways from Wheel Talk.👉 Sign up hereSponsorsL&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.comBuschKraft - The Dragonfly System is a versatile carving setup with interchangeable blades and affordable replacements, available as a single tool or a 3-handle, 8-blade Starter Kit. Get 15% off with code BKWHEELTALK26 at buschkraft.shop. Limit one use per customer. Cannot be combined with other discounts.Speedball Ceramics - New Speedball Studio Plus glazes coming soon. Available in 16 colors and firing range from cone 06 to 6. Explore the full Speedball Ceramics lineup at speedballart.com.Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/WheeltalkpodcastFollow us on Instagram:@wheeltalkpodcast@rdceramics@5linespotteryVisit our website:www.wheeltalkpotcast.comWheel Talk YouTube Channel
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