This is a comment from a customer. At one time the idea of spending $50 or more for an everyday cup or bowl or plate was something I couldn't imagine, but as you mentioned in your article, heirloom-quality pieces are what you are offering. And something more. Your pieces have a weight to them that doesn't instill instant fear that I will break them easily. And there is a simplicity that feels like I am connecting to the natural world, to something calming and bigger than myself. Your artistry speaks to me and brings my household joy. So as long as you keep throwing clay on a wheel, I will slowly but surely keep buying and building a collection I can enjoy and pass on to my nieces. Every time I order and open the package that arrives at my home, I can exclaim, "You complete me, little cup." Haha.
Thank you so much! I put a lot of thought and care in everything I do, from the making to the packing and even pricing. It means a lot to me that you notice and enjoy my work so much!
I really appreciate all of these reflections. I read half of this newsletter when it first came out and starred it to come back to because I couldn’t stop thinking about that line “I am not my customer.” I feel like that’s a revolutionary and freeing idea for an artist, at least for me it is and it’s helping me rethink my own work and pricing. So thank you!!
I just found your Substack this morning via the usual rabbit hole I sometimes find myself going down when I start clicking on links of newsletters I am enjoying reading... so at this moment I really cannot tell you exactly how I got here, but wow... I have read 3 of your letters and it feels like I am reading about myself.
It sounds stupid to write that, I know. Sorry. It's true though.
Pricing my pottery... Christ, I don't know how many times a day I ask myself "is this the right price?" I could quote all that you wrote above back to you as thoughts I have on a regular basis.
It's exhausting. And still people think my pots are overpriced.
"How long did it take to make this mug?" I now smile and answer "15 years".
"I am not my customer" is genius - I wish I had read this two years ago.
Shame I am no longer in the Bay Area (maybe neither are you, come to think of it😄, I just read San Francisco and assumed...)... My two morning hours of "nothing" are about to end, we could grab a coffee or add some steps to our daily count to counter those hours spent stooped down, before I start working on the 15 things I am sure I will still absolutely have time for...
I am going to take a break now and then I will read your latest letter to the end (I interrupted at "collages" which I clicked and then ended up here... I made two collages a few months ago and working with paper - I also started making stitched notebooks... - was such a pleasure and so different from clay I wanted to change medium there and then...).
Sorry for the huge long comment... I could go on...
This is a comment from a customer. At one time the idea of spending $50 or more for an everyday cup or bowl or plate was something I couldn't imagine, but as you mentioned in your article, heirloom-quality pieces are what you are offering. And something more. Your pieces have a weight to them that doesn't instill instant fear that I will break them easily. And there is a simplicity that feels like I am connecting to the natural world, to something calming and bigger than myself. Your artistry speaks to me and brings my household joy. So as long as you keep throwing clay on a wheel, I will slowly but surely keep buying and building a collection I can enjoy and pass on to my nieces. Every time I order and open the package that arrives at my home, I can exclaim, "You complete me, little cup." Haha.
Thank you so much! I put a lot of thought and care in everything I do, from the making to the packing and even pricing. It means a lot to me that you notice and enjoy my work so much!
I really appreciate all of these reflections. I read half of this newsletter when it first came out and starred it to come back to because I couldn’t stop thinking about that line “I am not my customer.” I feel like that’s a revolutionary and freeing idea for an artist, at least for me it is and it’s helping me rethink my own work and pricing. So thank you!!
Thank you Anna! Once I realized I was not my customer, it was just what you said, completely "freeing"!
Thank you for this!
I just found your Substack this morning via the usual rabbit hole I sometimes find myself going down when I start clicking on links of newsletters I am enjoying reading... so at this moment I really cannot tell you exactly how I got here, but wow... I have read 3 of your letters and it feels like I am reading about myself.
It sounds stupid to write that, I know. Sorry. It's true though.
Pricing my pottery... Christ, I don't know how many times a day I ask myself "is this the right price?" I could quote all that you wrote above back to you as thoughts I have on a regular basis.
It's exhausting. And still people think my pots are overpriced.
"How long did it take to make this mug?" I now smile and answer "15 years".
"I am not my customer" is genius - I wish I had read this two years ago.
Shame I am no longer in the Bay Area (maybe neither are you, come to think of it😄, I just read San Francisco and assumed...)... My two morning hours of "nothing" are about to end, we could grab a coffee or add some steps to our daily count to counter those hours spent stooped down, before I start working on the 15 things I am sure I will still absolutely have time for...
I am going to take a break now and then I will read your latest letter to the end (I interrupted at "collages" which I clicked and then ended up here... I made two collages a few months ago and working with paper - I also started making stitched notebooks... - was such a pleasure and so different from clay I wanted to change medium there and then...).
Sorry for the huge long comment... I could go on...