Spin-Off Magazine articles for potters

Spin-Off Magazine as it relates to Ceramics;

Spring 2013 Issue

Although I have had a few book reviews on this site I've never reviewed a magazine edition, so this is going to be a bit different.  Because I make drop spindles, I started subscribing to Spin-Off Magazine a few  years ago.  It has one article each month on a breed of sheep, the history of the lineage, the characteristics of the animal, and other interesting facts.  After reading the sheep article every quarter, I am determined (for a few hours) to go out and get some Gotland, or Jacob Cross or some other breed of sheep right away.

The spring, 2013 issue of Spin-Off Magazine is somewhat unique, though not unusual.  In this issue the editor, Amy Clarke Moore concentrates on the small business aspect of the cottage industries around the fiber arts craft and trade.  At t his point Ceramics artists have a lot in common with their brethren (and sisters I imagine) in the fiber and spinning crafts.  Both groups of craftspeople need a fairly specialized studio,  both groups have a challenge in finding customers and figuring out what the customers want, both groups have a hard time determining the price to charge, how to market their wares, and how to run a small, cottage industry style business. 

Alpaca hand spun yarns plus some color

So, I’m writing this review primarily aimed at ceramics artists because if you are a fiber person you probably already subscribe to Spin-Off (one of a number of magazines and books published by Interweave Press (interweave.com).  Lets look at three articles in the Spring/13 edition of Spin-Off and if you want more info on the actual articles I’ll end this post with a description and links

Page 16 of this edition has an article titled “Handmade: Business or Hobby” (By Patti Graver).  Right off a ceramic artist will notice the title and I can assure you that any one who attemps to sell ceramics or crafts from a home studio will find this article interesting. Patti reviews four books and I’m going to simply list the titles here to illustrate how all of these books have points of interest specifically for ceramic artists.  They are;

(1) “How to Price Crafts and Things" by James Dillehay,

(2) “How to Sell your Crafts Online” by Derrick Sutton,

(3) “Grow your Handmade Business" by Kari Chapin, and

(4) “”How to Make Money Using esty” by Timothy Adam. 

Finally, a drop spindle, left back, and a smoke fired jar

The second interesting article in this  edition is “At Hellow Yarn” by Adrian Bizillia.  It talks about a fiber business and had lots of tips about developing a studio plus the struggles and triumphs of developing a small, crafts centered business.  This article is inspiring!!! Again, Ceramics artists will find lots here of interest.

The Third article is “So You want to Start a Business” by Liz Gipson.  I don’t have to give much description to convince any crafts or ceramics artist that there will be some interesting information here. 

I think this hat is still at Oak Hollow Gallery, 

a blend of hand spun tops and socotta sock yarn

Next article is “10 tips for Starting a Custom Spinning Business" by Kaye D. Collins.  Substitute the word “home ceramics” for Spinning” and you get the idea.  The "10 tips" are a good working list of things to remember in starting any small business and some pertinent discussion of each. 

The rest of the articles are all dealing with fiber crafts business approaches and I found them all interesting, particularly the ones about labeling and mail ordering.  And the sheep specific article in this issue is about the lovely Shetland sheep, amix in a diverse flock.  Also, if you’ve ever worn clothes (and potters aren’t the best audience on this one) you’ll be amazed at the access and information in the advertizements and business listings throughout all issues of Spin-Off. 

Hand spun hats knitted by Pat Moran

If you want to get this copy of Spin-Off, or find more about Interweave magazines and books contact “spinoff.com” or <http://interweave.com/Magazine/> or find an older copy of Spin-Off and visit one of the yarn shops that handles the magazine.  You can buy individual copies of spinoff, subscriptions, or books from this amazine outfit.  

Ceramics, fiber,,,, can't really tell the difference?