[TheForge] a blacksmithing question and a ceramic/pottery question

[Ries Niemi]

I would add that being a potter, like being a blacksmith, is not as cheap and easy as everybody seems to think. There is experience and learning involved, equipment and supplies. What is a "reasonable" cost for custom thrown and decorated mugs? A "reasonable" hourly for a potter?
I know that I used to hit the craft fairs with a guy who was a throwing machine- he cranked out coffee mugs like nobodies business. And he got a flat twenty bucks apiece for em, way back in the early 90's. That was based on throwing, glazing, and firing several hundred a week.

Of course mass produced coffee mugs are only a couple of bucks apiece- when you buy em by the container load. Onsies of anything, you are paying setup charges for the first couple hundred parts. 

ries



On Jan 5, 2012, at 4:57 AM, Andrew Vida wrote:

> 
> 
> 
> Making them is not a big deal, but firing them can be a problem if you 
> have no kiln.  A wheel is not required, but is very handy for throwing 
> the form, sans handle.  All you need it to make one master pattern, from 
> which you make a 2-piece plaster mold and from that you make slip 
> castings, as many as you want.
>> 
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Ries Niemi
Industrial Artist
www.riesniemi.com