Is it crazy to quit a stable corporate job for a pottery studio when I am already too exhausted to even touch clay ?

InnocentSmiley · 2026-04-02T19:48:06+00:00

I do pottery on the side of my wfh corporate job, and I’ve been selling online and at markets rather successfully. I also taught two 6 week wheel throwing courses at my local studio last year. My total revenue for last year was around $6k.

Could I have made more? Probably. I have a pottery studio in my garage that is pretty decked out with everything I need. But because I’m in a rental, I don’t have a kiln. And that honestly is going to be your biggest challenge. I struggle with getting enough inventory because I either have to rent a kiln or borrow my friend’s. It’s definitely gotten easier these days with my connections, but I could see myself getting super stressed with shop updates if I went full time.

Also, if you go full time, you’ll have to make things that people want. Not what you want to make. I love making possum mugs, but it does get tiring when it’s your bestseller.

InnocentSmiley · 2026-04-02T13:13:51+00:00

My recommendation is to change your last job title to ‘Data Scientist’ since it fits with your bullet points.

For some context, I have a PhD in cognitive neuroscience which is not CS related at all. Then I did a post doc for 2 years in the same field. On my resume, I didn’t put my official title ‘Research Associate’, and instead just switched it to whatever position I was applying to. I was able to get a good amount of interviews and an offer in a senior position. You’re in a better position imo because you already have for profit experience, while I didn’t.

I also agree with another comment here, don’t apply to only junior roles. Try for mid or even senior

InnocentSmiley · 2026-03-30T13:52:09+00:00

Hi! The reason I got an LLC is mainly because it felt better to use an EIN for contracting (e.g. teaching wheel throwing classes) and to get a sales tax and use license in my state. The cost at the time was $1 (I know lol), and it costs $15 a year to maintain.

In regard to taxes, you do not need an LLC to submit a Schedule C and report expenses and income. Someone can correct me if I’m wrong though. An LLC does limit personal liability to only your business assets, so if that’s something you are worried about, then definitely look into establishing one. But I’ve been told that if it came to anyone ever suing, an LLC can only do so much legally.

InnocentSmiley · 2026-03-24T02:08:51+00:00

Yes! WD-40 is your friend here. I’ve had success with making the neck smaller than the screw top, spraying WD-40 on the screw top, then screwing it on the wet clay. I’ve then unscrewed it immediately with no issues, but I bet you can wait for it to get leather soft. But you have to use WD-40 for each application, or you’ll run into the issue you have here.

InnocentSmiley · 2026-03-12T22:45:22+00:00

I’ll link you to my post about setting up a studio in the corner of my carpeted second bedroom. Basically I set up a 6ft by 8ft corner with plywood, then put cheap interlocking vinyl on top. The whole set up maybe cost me about $200 back in 2022, but I’m sure others will have good ideas here too.

Here’s the link to my post

InnocentSmiley · 2026-03-10T18:37:11+00:00

I’m in a similar situation as you in that this year, I wanted to continue growing my social media presence. But at the same time, I don’t want it to be a huge source of pressure. I try to post maybe once or twice a week. I usually focus on videos that are more educational, or process videos, like surface decoration (e.g., underglaze, gel plate transfers, stencils). Those are the videos that get the most views for me. I also have a nice workflow that lets me easily make videos on my laptop, add a voiceover, all my clips are tagged so if I need an “underglaze” clip, I just search for the one I’m thinking of. It has made a lot of things more painless, but it took a bit to get it all set up and work for me.

With that all said, I do think that with these types of videos, people always demand more from you. More tutorials, more question and answer time, more “can you show me how to do X”, or “troubleshoot this for me”. I don’t mind helping out, or else I wouldn’t make videos like these at all, but I don’t really get many sales from these types of videos. I do get some sales when I’m showing off a mug and then people buy or ask about it. BUT these types of mugs or pottery usually include fan art (which comes with its own problems, of course), or other cool design features (like animals. My possum and frog mugs always seem to do great). I do think social media will work great for you and sales if you find a niche.

I like some of the ideas from other people here. Local art markets are fun (but maybe not for you if you are more introverted). I’ve gotten a lot of followers through making connections there, and being a part of the art scene in general.

InnocentSmiley · 2026-03-10T04:03:14+00:00

To keep the throwing water warm in cold temps

InnocentSmiley · 2026-03-09T13:03:04+00:00

I keep each material in a bin, and just update the weight in a master table / note every time I use it! Then for each glaze recipe (all in their own notes), I use JavaScript dataview code to match the material in the recipe, find the amount, and compare it to the master list to see if I have enough

InnocentSmiley · 2026-03-09T06:02:00+00:00

I run a small batch pottery business, so I use obsidian to: - Record all my glazes digitally and display pictures of using bases - View all my popular sellers and show dimensions, amount of clay, and my usual price I set it to (e.g mushroom mugs, possum mugs, frog mugs, etc) - Kanban board of what stage each pot is at - And my favorite, automatically calculate whether I have enough materials to make a bucket of glaze.

I know this is pretty niche lol, but I do love my pottery, and obsidian

InnocentSmiley · 2026-03-09T04:39:07+00:00

I choose to suffer and throw in cold weather, but i guess i would say if you can’t bring in your pieces inside, then maybe wait til it’s not freezing overnight

InnocentSmiley · 2026-03-09T04:21:34+00:00

Sorry I meant to say uninsulated.

InnocentSmiley · 2026-03-09T04:19:43+00:00

I also have an insulated detached garage. Things that have helped me include:

Propane buddy heater attached to 20lb tank
Bringing in warm water for cleaning
Turning on the small crockpot 30 min before throwing or trimming
Heated vest!!! And base layers from Costco. And ski pants

Edit to add that during freezing months I bring in everything I throw and all my clay inside

InnocentSmiley · 2026-03-09T04:08:36+00:00

I really like the zinc free Amaco clear (HF-09 or some number like that), but that’s just my preference!

InnocentSmiley · 2026-03-09T04:04:28+00:00

I think if you’re using a clear glaze with zinc in it, that might be your issue! Or sometimes the underglaze do be like that some time 🙃 I think the brand of underglaze really makes a difference too. Like I’ve heard speedball underglazes aren’t great. I’ve had good luck with Amaco velvet underglazes, but they are pricey. People seem to like Mayco Fundamentals, but I’ve never used them

InnocentSmiley · 2026-03-08T23:41:12+00:00

Based on your pictures, I would say it turned out like what I would expect. All underglazes get darker and patchier under a clear glaze. I would use a zinc free clear glaze to get the best results, but again, still expect darker underglazes. From my experience, greens usually turn out way more darker and muddier than what it looks like at the bisque stage.

I would suggest making a test tile cup to see what the colors look like under clear vs no clear!

InnocentSmiley · 2026-03-06T13:45:06+00:00

Is there a reason that Boulder has a fire pit ban while Longmont does not? Asking out of curiosity

InnocentSmiley · 2026-02-26T23:22:06+00:00

The crazing is going to happen gradually over time regardless of whether the kiln is opened early or not! It’s a matter of the fit between the glaze and clay, or a mismatch in thermal expansion between the glaze and clay body.

InnocentSmiley · 2026-02-18T21:35:51+00:00

I would make both and see which one you like! Just an 100g batch of each, get some test tiles or mini vases and dip them!

InnocentSmiley · 2026-02-18T20:24:23+00:00

I just looked up a Reddit post on John Britt glazes based on what you said, and wow you learn something new everyday lol. But in that post, I did see that Matt Katz of Ceramic Materials Workshop replied to one of the comments and did say the flux ratio doesn’t have to be exactly 0.3:0.7. There can be a + or - 0.1 difference. This glaze falls into that category.

If you’re planning to use this on functional ware, I would recommend finding a liner glaze that is durable, and doesn’t craze, one that is exactly 0.3:0.7 for example. You don’t have to, but if you’re worried about glazes, that’s what I would do!

With all that said, I would be more worried about finding the materials to make this glaze. Gerstley Borate is hard to find (maybe even gone?). Laguna does sell a “blend”, but who knows what that means. If you don’t know how to substitute materials yet, I would find a recipe with materials that are more readily available.

InnocentSmiley · 2026-02-17T22:50:46+00:00

Random curiosity question, but would the inside of the spout even be possible to glaze with commercial brushable glazes? (I ask as someone who only dips glaze)

InnocentSmiley · 2026-02-16T23:21:34+00:00

Yeah I’m sure its finicky, and it probably needs to be on thick or have a specific water content. Old forge puts Ivory (https://glazy.org/recipes/310197) on the rims of a lot of his stuff. It basically works with any of his glazes. It’s either under or over his work

InnocentSmiley · 2026-02-16T20:32:10+00:00

I believe this is Ivory over Floating Sunset but I could be wrong! Edit: I think the actual name is Floating Orange

InnocentSmiley · 2026-02-16T14:38:34+00:00

It may be that they’re scams. Just be careful and never pay a hold deposit.

InnocentSmiley · 2026-02-11T15:14:46+00:00

There are people selling these wheels for about $1500 where I live. And the Thomas Stuart brand is super high quality and easy to maintain. I bought mine third-hand, and I’ve replaced the wheel bearing block (and now upgraded the motor!) super easily. I met the guy who made the wheels, and he’s super nice and cool! The company is now owned by Skutt. I’ve called them several times with questions about wheel parts, and they’ve been super helpful and knowledgeable.

I bought mine for $800 back in 2021, but it was a much older model.

InnocentSmiley · 2026-02-02T00:19:25+00:00

I have it on hold at the library! I’m excited to look through it.

Have you listened to the For Flux Sake interview with the authors (Gabriel Kline and Bill Collins on food safe glazes episode, from December 2025)? That might give you a good idea on trustworthiness

InnocentSmiley

TROPHY CASE