The Maker's Playbook

Rebecca Ickes Carra•www.makersplaybook.com

A podcast where we talk all about what it's really like to make a living from the things you make. Featuring candid interviews with other ceramicists and makers, as well as helpful business tips to make your side-hustle into a life-giving, viable business.

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Episodes

Ep: 109 - Kate McElwee

Send us a text I'm catching up with my friend and fellow wedding photographer (who has a pottery side hustle too!) Kate McElwee. We share how COVID made us unemployed for the first time in our lives, how pottery and other mediums bring us the creative exploration that we can’t really take in weddings, and… perhaps of most interest to many… we dish a few secrets on how, as photographers, we absolutely simplify how we photograph our ceramic work so it doesn’t take too much time! Not to mentio...

Mar 05, 2021•55 min•Season 1Ep. 9

Ep: 108 - Simon Levin

Send us a text This week I’m chatting with woodfire potter, Simon Levin. A self-proclaimed “evangelist of clay” who continually finds ways to bring educational resources outside of the traditional structure to the clay community. After over 30 years working as a full-time studio potter, there were almost endless subjects we touch upon in this conversation that could be entire podcast episodes onto themselves - How to make what you want first, and market second, the difference between craft and a...

Feb 26, 2021•52 min•Season 1Ep. 8

Ep: 107 - On Making Decisions for Ourselves

Send us a text This week is a little different than most of our episodes. As I've been listening back through some of the amazing interviews we've already had in this first month of the podcast, I'm noticing some common themes and I wanted to take a minute to pull some of those together. It’s my goal that these occasional solo episodes will help connect the dots on many of the common themes and through lines in the conversations we'll continue to have with podcast guests. On ...

Feb 13, 2021•18 min•Season 1Ep. 7

Ep: 106 - Sandy Lockwood

Send us a text This week I chat with a wonderful past instructor of mine, Sandy Lockwood. Sandy has been making and teaching ceramics for the last 40 years. As a teacher, she has the unique skill of being able to help guide her students in finding their own unique style and approach to the craft. And as a maker, her ability to capture movement in stationary pieces, while also showcasing the wonders of wood and soda firing is incredible. Be sure to never miss an episode by signing up for our Insi...

Feb 05, 2021•54 min•Season 1Ep. 6

Ep: 105 - Emilie Bouvet-Boisclair

Send us a text Ever wondered whether or not you should set up an Etsy shop vs. your own website? This week, Emilie (Twinette Poterie) and I dig into that very subject plus the pros and cons of working out of a shared studio vs. your own space. Not to mention her transition from being a formally trained painter into finding her unique ceramics style with the ability to bring that painterly quality onto pots. Don't miss out on next month's free photography tip, specifically for ceramicis...

Jan 29, 2021•42 min•Season 1Ep. 5

Ep: 104 - Stephen Phillips

Send us a text Stephen Phillips and I talk all about that constantly nagging itch in the back of our heads to take the leap and make ceramics a full-time career rather than a side-hustle. We dive into how Stephen planned out initially starting his studio after his plan for the “safe route” of teaching didn’t work, and how he would use that same approach in preparation to go full-time (but he's not doing that yet, stop asking!) Part of how Stephen and I originally connected was due to the IG...

Jan 15, 2021•42 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Ep: 103 - Kara Leigh Ford

Send us a text In this episode, we talk about the realities of transitioning from a full-time job to being a full-time potter and what it's like now that Kara and her husband's roles have actually switched when it comes to supporting the life they want. We also discuss the huge role our mindsets play in being able to succeed as an entrepreneur but also the tactical realities of charging what your work is actually worth. In fact, as Kara mentions, you need to make sure the rest of your ...

Jan 08, 2021•48 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Ep: 102 - Camille at the Wheel

Send us a text A chat with Camille Beckles of Camille at the Wheel. Her iconic logo, which first drew me to her work, is a singular example of her clear commitment to knowing and owning her brand story. It's central to our conversation about representation in the art world, making work you actually enjoy making, and continuing to explore the meaning of that word "balance" when it comes to multiple jobs and building a business you love. If you love this conversation, as much as I d...

Jan 02, 2021•52 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Ep: 101 - An Introduction to the Maker's Playbook

Send us a text The debut episode of The Maker's Playbook! A podcast where we talk all about what it's really like to make a living from the things you make. This first episode is just a taste of what you can expect from The Maker's Playbook in the weeks to come. Every three out of four weeks, I'll have candid conversations with other makers about what life is really like. Occasionally, I'll jump in solo with key business tips on how to make your side hustle a viable busi...

Dec 17, 2020•7 min•Season 1Ep. 1

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