Since I’ve been spending a lot of time of Pinterest looking at different household wares I thought it was time to switch it up and take lifestyle photographs of my work.

What do you think?  Can you visualize my work in your home better? Is the natural daylight more affective? Any feedback would be appreciated!

I also wanted to share that I’m on Pinterest (mildly addicted) and can be found at: https://pinterest.com/heidimcf/

Happy pinning!

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I’m teaching again for the first time in two years.  I needed it;  I was burned out. In retrospect, I realize I didn’t set enough boundaries with my students and tried to do too much. I almost ran into a similar problem Wednesday night. I’m teaching a low fire class that is using red earthenware, but some students wanted to continue to use white earthenware.  Last semester students used white earthenware and fired the kiln, but to a different temperature than we are going to do this semester. Can you imagine what that would be like? A fiasco.

I explained why we would only be using one clay and one firing schedule. I apologized for any inconvenience. I may have some students drop my class, but that’s ok. My students will learn more by focusing on one style.

For years I’ve been all over the place.  I have been working in porcelain since 2000, but I’m always doing something else on the side.  For instance, I used to wood-fire, salt-fire, and low-fire.  I was driving myself crazy trying to do to many things at once. Now it’s all porcelain and I’m narrowing down my surface decoration. (Stay tuned.)

I’ve found that when I’m not focused on one style, I can’t grow that style, refine it and master it. By dividing your attention, your work is divided by time, attention, and style.

What are you focused on?

Here is a preview of my new focus:

If you would like to shop locally I will be in the studio working until Christmas Eve. If you are in Kalamazoo you can purchase Bella Joy Pottery at Signature Gallery, the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, and Water Street Coffee Joint.

Have a wonderful day!

It didn’t even matter if it was something I made, which in retrospect was silly. I had to invest time into accomplishing a form that I wasn’t going to stick with and it also took time away from my “real” work. At the time though I needed to stay afloat financially and did what I needed to do.  I was grateful for the work, really grateful.

Now I’m not saying I’m not grateful for commissions, but I no longer do items that I don’t create on a normal basis.  Sunday at my open studio a customer wanted goblets. I quit making goblets about 3 years ago, so I referred another potter that makes goblets on a regular basis. It’s a win-win.  I don’t feel disdain, the customer gets what he wants, and the other potter gets business.

I also had a request the weekend to make soup bowls with handles, which again I don’t make.  The customer brought in a bowl that she had purchased from another potter and wanted me to copy the design and remake it. I told her what I could create, in my style, and gave her a price.  She didn’t confirm the order, which I’m sure was because it was more than she wanted to spend.

I’m not upset.  I’ve learned I need to focus on my current line, and as in relationships in life, you also need to set boundaries with customers.

What are your boundaries?

Thanksgiving is history.  It was pretty quiet this year because the whole Fahrenbacher clan did not get together, we will for Christmas.

I did not partake in Black Friday, to be honest I have only done that once. In 1994, I went shopping on Black Friday with my friend Kirby.  I don’t even think I bought anything, more to be social. The studio was open Saturday from 10-2 and I did have a new visitor and Monday was the online day.

Last year, I was excited and thought I needed to participate in the kick off to the holiday shopping season.  If my memory serves me right, I offered 20% off Friday-Monday on all pottery listed in my Etsy store. I sold zip. Disappointed, I continued selling throughout December.

When this year rolled around, I didn’t even think about promoting the shopping weekend. As a (extra) small business I can’t compete with big box stores and their deep discounts. If you want a mug for $4, be my guest. And speaking of big box stores how much of a profit are they actually making on Black Friday?  Two things occur: 1) either the initial price of their merchandise is so inflated that when the merchandise is discounted the retailer still makes profit or 2) when the prices are discounted retailers don’t make a profit at all.

My dad always tells a business joke that goes along the lines of  “we loose $5000 a case, but make it up in volume.” Not really.

As for Small Business Saturday it’s a good idea.  I’m not sure how sincere the idea is since SBS was started by American Express. I will admit I caught myself looking at snow boots on Land’s End Saturday.  I stopped, emptied my virtual cart, and decided to go to my local small business shoe store instead.

As for Monday I didn’t do anything in either on my online stores. Nada.

I’m reporting I made 5 internet sales this weekend.  It’s not a ton, but it’s more than last year.

I don’t want to turn this into a business math lesson, so in closing I will say this: your hard earned money will have more of an impact on the American economy if you value quality over quantity. Shop local (that doensn’t mean your local Wal-Mart) and shop from the small independent business owners, be that  pizzerias or drugstores.

Where you spend your money does matter.

Here are the 200 plates in the kiln. I made extras just in case.

I screen printed the Craft and Folk Art Museum’s logo on the back of all the plates.

Here are the five final plate designs.

On top of that task, I’ve been learning the ins and outs of WordPress and website coding (CSS) and created a new website. My new site will be a work in progress, but I’m pleased at how I can update my site and customize it.  My online store and Etsy shop are fully stocked as well.  Feel free to visit, peruse, and purchase.