Studio
Layout & Organization
Below are a few methods for improving work flow
and organizing storage space in the
studio.
In order to make a living, as a working potter,
it is essential
to utilize time and space to their fullest advantage.
It is important to enjoy the environment in which you work. When spending long
hours in the studio, keeping it clean and organized goes a long way to improve a
potters attitude
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| Ideas and photos in this section reflect
years of modifications and improvements in both the studio atmosphere and
efficiency. |
Robert is a working
potter, and has made
his living from the sale
of his pots for the past 38 years.
His studio has undergone many renovations, accommodating changes in the
methods for forming, and the types of pottery and techniques in which he works. |
Storage Organization
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In 2007 Robert began to utilize clear plastic boxes to organize and
store
bisque ware.
This consumes less space in the studio, as boxes can be stacked and boxed protect pots while
they await glazing and firing. |
Robert throws & bisques his work in
the Winter months.
A typical cycle may produce 2000 pieces which are made between November and
April.
These pots are glazed then fired in his outdoor wood kilns between May and
October. |
Storage Organization
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In 2007 Robert renovated his studio.
Walls were removed creating an open floor plan, and floors were
leveled, enabling the use of rolling ware carts.
Open shelving is used only
when pots are in the green or dry glazed stages.
Plastic boxes, store bisque pots prior to glazing and are
refilled with finished pots after the final glaze firing. Robert's
work routine is to throw during the winter, producing an entire
years of inventory in four months. This results in a large number of
pieces that are in the bisque stage waiting to be glazed and fired
in the spring and summer. Doing all the wet work in the winter,
allows Robert time in the summer to give studio tours to visiting
customers. In the summer glazing is done outdoors, utilizing the
clean air and expanded space of an outdoor glazing deck. |
Selling on the Web
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On-Line Sales
Gallery
The
Salt Glazed, Wood Fired, Pit and Raku Pottery Robert shows in his
On
Line Gallery
are of specific individual pieces.
Each
pot is photographed from multiple perspectives, and has its own
page with descriptive information that is particular to that piece.
How
does one store and keep track of each individual piece?
Robert has a dedicated "internet show room" in his studio. Each
piece that is on the web has a thumbnail photo (with the web page number) attached to that
specific pot. (see photo at right)
This
allows him to find the specific pot when customers order from the web
site.
Photographing
each individual pot is time consuming, and it is only done for
chosen pieces that are above average. These pots have
some unique or interesting feature that resulted from the firing
process.
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Photo "above" is Pottery in Robert's internet room.
Each piece has the photo and page number corresponding to its
location on the web site.
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Rolling ware carts are used inside the studio in
the winter.
Their portability means that in the summer, they can be moved next to
the his outdoor kilns, making them great staging racks when loading
glazed ware into kilns. |
Popular Production
Pottery
Pottery (gas reduction fired) in the Popular Pottery section are
representational samples.
The actual hand made piece that a customer orders varies slightly from
the photo shown in shape and color.
These pots have a lower price point, reflecting
the reduced work needed on firing and listing these pieces.
Robert does not use a shopping cart in the web
site since he believes speaking with, or at least having email
communication, adds a personal touch that is important.
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Kilns and Firing Tips
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2011
Robert Next to Ball Mill
note the
Wood Fired Noborigama
in background
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05/14/13
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