#362 The Secrets To Having a Successful Pre-Order Pottery Sale w/ Teri Erasmus

Shaping Your Pottery with Nic Torres

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In this episode of 'Shaping Your Pottery,' host Nic Torres has an in-depth conversation with Potter Terri Erasmus. Terri shares her journey into pottery, emphasizing the importance of starting without waiting for perfect conditions, embracing customer involvement in the creation process, and the value of having a support system. She recounts how opportunities like making 150 tumblers for a friend's request and handling large wholesale orders propelled her to transition to full-time pottery. Terri discusses her approach to simple yet beautiful pottery design, how making pottery accessible and affordable matters to her, and why she enjoys the flexibility and customer feedback that come with pre-order sales. Moreover, Terri provides insights into balancing pottery with being a parent and wife, learning from mistakes, and the business side of pottery, including transitioning from wholesale to focusing on pre-orders to better manage her workload and meet customer demands. The episode also covers discovering one's voice in pottery, delivering impactful advice for aspiring potters: have fun, don't wait for perfection, stay true to your designs, and embrace the learning journey. Terri can be followed on Instagram at 'Pots by Terry,' where she shares behind-the-scenes looks at her pottery making process. You can check out her Instagram Here @potsbyteri

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00:00 Introduction to Terri Erasmus: The Potter's Philosophy 01:06 The Journey Begins: From First Touch to Business 06:55 Balancing Pottery, Parenthood, and Passion 09:11 Embracing Mistakes: The Growth of a Potter 12:14 The Art of Simplicity in Pottery Design 16:26 Innovating with Handles: A Potter's Creative Process 17:46 Exploring Pottery Design: Embracing Spontaneity and Mistakes 19:50 The Leap into Full-Time Pottery: A Journey of Growth and Opportunities 23:24 Navigating the Business: From Wholesale to Pre-Orders 31:03 Discovering Your Voice in Pottery 34:04 Final Thoughts: Embracing the Process and Having Fun