Welcome to the latest episode of "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art meets entrepreneurship. I'm your host, Al Wayman, from Creek Road Pottery LLC, guiding you through the multifaceted world of pottery and business. Today, we're diving into the concept of Channels, as outlined in the book " Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers. " This episode will explore how understanding your Channels are crucial for crafting a successful business model in the cre...
Mar 17, 2024•38 min•Ep. 34
Welcome to the latest episode of "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art meets entrepreneurship. I'm your host, Al Wayman, from Creek Road Pottery LLC, guiding you through the multifaceted world of pottery and business. Today, we're diving into the concept of Revenue Streams, as outlined in the book " Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers. " This episode will explore how understanding your Revenue Streams are crucial for crafting a successful business mo...
Mar 03, 2024•36 min•Ep. 33
Welcome to the latest episode of "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art meets entrepreneurship. I'm your host, Al Wayman, from Creek Road Pottery LLC, guiding you through the multifaceted world of pottery and business. Today, we're diving into the concept of Value Propositions, as outlined in the book " Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers. " This episode will explore how understanding your Value Propositions are crucial for crafting a successful busin...
Feb 18, 2024•38 min•Ep. 32
Welcome to the latest episode of "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art meets entrepreneurship. I'm your host, Al Wayman, from Creek Road Pottery LLC, guiding you through the multifaceted world of pottery and business. Today, we're diving into the concept of Customer Segments, as outlined in the groundbreaking book " Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers. " This episode will explore how understanding your customer segments is crucial for crafting a succ...
Feb 04, 2024•31 min•Ep. 31
Welcome to "The Pin Tool Podcast," hosted by Al Wayman, artist and owner of Creek Road Pottery LLC. This latest episode delves into the intricacies of the Business Model Canvas, a strategic tool essential for any artist who wants to become an entrepreneur. Join us as I try to unravel the complexities of this model, making it accessible and actionable for potters and creatives alike. Whether you're forming your business or your next mug, this episode will guide you in blending art with entreprene...
Jan 22, 2024•28 min•Ep. 30
Welcome back to The Pin Tool Podcast, the show where we dive deep into the art of thriving in our personal and professional lives. I'm Al Wayman of Creek Road Pottery LLC, and in today's special episode, we're setting the stage for the year ahead. As we stand at the threshold of a new year, it's the perfect time to reflect, recalibrate, and set meaningful goals. Whether you're a long-time listener or joining us for the first time, this episode is designed to inspire and guide you through the pro...
Jan 08, 2024•28 min•Ep. 29
A Creek Road Pottery LLC update and a holiday story: "The heavy-loaded train slowed its speed as it entered the little sleepy town of Laceyville, Pennsylvania. Its loud horn echoed across the river, through the corn fields, and over the mountainside as it entered the straits. Hobo Smoky tossed off his pack from a gently rocking sander car, then made the light jump and roll to the ground on the hard railroad gravel. The train cars clicked and squeaked by as Smoky brushed himself off and then walk...
Dec 24, 2023•29 min•Ep. 28
May you one day look out across the vast sea and have a glimpse of the smoke from the cooking fires rising from your homeland of your Ithaca. Or may you one day, after many wanderings and hardships, wake up on its shore surrounded by the many gifts you were given. But even on that shore, it’s fine to be suspicious and on guard. The Lectures Mentioned: The Odyssey of Homer by Elizabeth Vandiver, The Great Courses on Audible. Lecture 2. Books Mentioned: The Odyssey. by Homer. Robert Fagles transla...
Nov 26, 2023•32 min•Ep. 27
While at the thrift shop I found the book ” The Ballad Book of John Jacob Niles” from 1961 and for $5.00. The book is a collection of old time folk ballads from the Appalachian mountains. Haunting and yet amazing. The stories and poetry in the music is amazing. The background and extensive notes to this rendition of the song can be found here. A Youtube version of a ballad on the topic can be heard here. The importance of the Potter It was amazing to see the potter show up in the songs as in the...
Nov 07, 2023•11 min•Ep. 26
In this episode, I talk about ways to underscore your style and set yourself apart from others in your own way by asking: "Who's it for?", "What's it for?", and "What change are you trying to make?". Books: The Practice: Shipping Creative Work. by Seth Godin An example of intentional design and why. See The Florian Gadsby Mug Post Here . See my friend Angela and the details section of her cat bowls here. Say hello to my cousin Beth here ....
Oct 29, 2023•37 min•Ep. 25
In my opinion, bad art might be forms and elements that communicate poorly. In this episode, I talk about taking the work from a design in your sketchbook to creating a clay prototype of your form. I discuss what bad art might be and a few topics concerning the many elements that might be included in a form you create. I then go into some of the philosophy about these design concepts. The podcast mentioned where Dennis Allen talks about his throwing stick. Clay At Our Core: A Pottery Podcast - E...
Oct 15, 2023•40 min•Ep. 24
How do you generate ideas while creating art? In this episode, you help me kiln sit as I fire an updraft and chat about design. I discuss some ways ideas for work might happen and the sources we might draw from to generate elements in our art. A list of good books mentioned are in the show notes. “Furthermore, we have not even to risk the adventure alone; for the heroes of all time have gone before us; the labyrinth is thoroughly known; we have only to follow the thread of the hero-path. And whe...
Oct 06, 2023•23 min•Ep. 23
In today's world, we do not need to wait to be picked due to social media and the internet. We can pick ourselves. Many of the standards that were once used by gatekeepers to define what a good pot was may no longer be relevant. Or are they? Design, function, and elements on a form, when used intentionally, can add interest and help communicate what you might be trying to say to the world. Can we use fate, luck, chance, or happy little mistakes as a good way to make art? Or is it an excuse for p...
Sep 27, 2023•33 min•Ep. 22
Sep 18, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Many people leave it up to luck, fate, or "Kiln gods" when firing out work. But once you get to know your kiln, you can use it to add a whole new layer of interest to your work by how you choose to fire it. Even when electric firing, using different firing schedules, holds, cooling techniques, and much more can make your pots more exciting to create and enjoy. So be brave, put some shelf cones in your kilns, and try a few things. I talk slowly in the podcast to explain things clearly, but I migh...
Sep 02, 2023•39 min•Ep. 21
Many times we may feel anxiety about how we are spending our time. Either we feel we were not as productive as we would like to be or even when we are able to complete all the daily goals we gain anxiety by adding more things. In this episode I discuss some ideas from the book Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals. by Oliver Burkeman. Thanks for listening! Journals I was able to publish. I hope a few of you find them useful. My Pottery Projects. My Pottery Journal....
Aug 07, 2023•34 min•Ep. 20
We fill many roles in our lives and community. Putting all effort into just one role may bankrupt the other vital roles that make us who we are. This, in turn, can have a negative effect on our work and our ability to create good work. In order to keep receiving golden eggs from the goose, you need to take care of the goose so it is able to produce the eggs. This means taking time to cultivate the other areas and roles of your life that allow you to keep creating work. While setting goals for yo...
Jul 19, 2023•33 min•Ep. 19
Many times we might like to leave it up to others to take ownership because it's easier and lets us off the hook. However, what others do and say for us may not be what's best for us or our work and life story. In this episode, I discuss the topic of taking ownership or our attitudes, goals, actions, and our lives. I need to work on all of these things myself. How would taking ownership improve your life and work? Let me know! Books Mentioned: Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win ...
Jul 01, 2023•35 min•Ep. 18
In this episode, I talk about kiln deities and their role in firing out work and the influences they have over the process. Thanks so much to The Potscast - all about Pottery Being Brave for the wonderful interview on her podcast. We had a nice chat about my background and ideas about pottery and firing. You can find the episode here: The Potscast with… Al Wayman Also, here in the link to my new Facebook Business Page...
May 28, 2023•31 min•Ep. 17
Overall, it was a fair and foul month, but like some say, “Done is better than perfect, and perfect is never perfect but only better “. Many times, you just need to keep showing up for yourself and others. Losing a whole buying community will take a while to walk off, but I had already started diversifying last year and so only lost about 1/3 of my revenue. I’m a big community guy, and my peeps were so much fun. I do hope to rebuild in some way on a platform that is more supportive, maybe. May I...
Apr 30, 2023•28 min•Ep. 16
In this episode, we talk about idea generation; collecting, and the germination of creative seeds using the book " The Creative Act: A Way Of Being. " by Rick Rubin Many times we might stall when we run out of ideas creatively. That's why it's important to collect many seeds and store them to plant later. Seeds will not grow if you never water them or if you're too overbearing. How do you collect creative seeds? Email me and let me know at creekroadpottery@gmail.com Al Wayman owner / artist Cree...
Mar 28, 2023•21 min•Ep. 15
In this episode, we talk about a few ways you could use Artificial Intelligence as a creation tool. With the rise of ChatGPT in search and the controversy and questions around AI-generated art, is it even possible to use it as a tool in creating our work? Feel free to let me know by commenting! Books Mentioned The Creative Act: A Way of Being. By Rick Rubin Book of the Farm. By Henry Stephens Surface Decoration for Ceramics. By Claire Ireland Al Wayman is the artist and owner of Creek Road Potte...
Mar 02, 2023•29 min•Ep. 14
In this episode, I go over a few steps you can take to manage seasonal depression maybe and avoid an existential vacuum. We discuss Victor Frankel's ideas about Existential Vacuum in his book Man's Search For Meaning . I also cover the idea of the Hero's Journey with ideas from Joseph Campbell's Hero with a Thousand Faces . Life is far to short not to plan a journey. Also, the business philosopher Seth Godin, in his blog, suggests we should not get distracted by the event and miss the importance...
Jan 14, 2023•25 min•Ep. 13
Many times, makers prefer to avoid taking custom orders out of fear. In this episode, I talk about a few tips that can be done to manage custom orders better and make the experience and customer interaction more enjoyable. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season, and may the new year bring you new projects and adventures! Feel free to leave a comment if you find these episodes helpful! The book mentioned that I am reading: Sell or Be Sold: How to Get Your Way in Business and Life Visit my...
Dec 24, 2022•27 min•Ep. 12
I had a situation where I needed to have pots at three different places on the same weekend. In one show, all direct marketing was required to sell, as very few, it seemed, came to buy pots. I felt out of place outside my Story base/ Permission base comfort zone. I was able to meet my goal of selling one pot. But in a direct marketing environment, I had to work harder for it. You may get a chuckle out of this episode, as many of you who sell in shows may only do direct marketing. Which do you pr...
Nov 29, 2022•33 min•Ep. 11
I made the trip from Laceyville, Pennsylvania to the beautiful upstate New York though the farm land with my father to pick up an old time treadle wheel. I found the treadle wheel on Facebook marketplace for a great price. I always wanted to try one, and having one would make my pottery off grid. It was a stand-up treadle wheel that was rather large and heavy, with a one-hundred and twenty-five pound fly wheel. Books Mentioned: A Potter's Book by Bernard Leach Warren Mackenzie: An American Potte...
Sep 29, 2022•30 min•Ep. 10
Things can get real busy, so this year I decided to start early to make things easier on myself. Here are a few things I plan to try while I am making work for the holiday season. #creekroadpottery #pottery #ceramics #handmade #smallbusiness
Aug 16, 2022•24 min•Ep. 9
Due to high inflation, selling work may be a bit challenging. In this episode, I offer some tips on cutting cost and a few ideas on how you might generate revenue to survive the hard times. You may need to be brave and try new things. For me personally, I do not wish to raise prices, but I am looking for ways to cut costs in my process while still maintaining quality. Hand mixing glazes from a base recipe, learning to single fire, moving towards giving classes, and diversifying selling platforms...
Jul 25, 2022•27 min•Ep. 8
When you hire a plumber to stop over and fix a leaky pipe, you need them to show up and try to do their best work, or at least meet your expectations in doing the work. As potters and artists, we may need to practice in showing up in very much the same way. Allowing the customer to have a positive experience with you can be good for sales, lead to more work, and even on days when you might not feel all that happy about what you do. I have found if difficult at times in learning to love what I do...
Jun 15, 2022•19 min•Ep. 7
While on vacation from the pottery last week, I realized my body of work may encompass more than simply making the art, marketing, and selling. Here, I discuss seven things your work may encompass in your life that you may not even realize. If you take time to observe, read, network, rest, think, tell your story, and communicate without beating yourself up you could create better work. Many things influence the art we create, and those influences show up in the work though our hands.
Jun 05, 2022•16 min•Ep. 6
