The Maker's Playbook - TopPodcast.com

Latest Episodes:

Ep: 329 - Trusting the Process with Virgil Ortiz Feb 03, 2023

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My chat this week with Virgil Ortiz is packed with insights. From pragmatic business advice, like protecting your intellectual property, to the less tangible topics of manifestation and trusting that things have a way of working out. The history of clay for the Cochiti people and how Virgil’s work, truly almost accidentally and yet oh so beautifully connects generations of storytellers is nothing less than astonishing.
If you’ve only recently found the podcast and are feeling disappointed that you missed out on our free webinar last week about the 4 Most Common Instagram Photography Mistakes (and how to avoid them), don’t worry! I still send out a free monthly photo tips email. You can start learning quick & easy ways to take better photos, faster (even using your cell phone), by popping your email onto our list at makersplaybook.com/newsletter
Guest Details:
Virgil Ortiz's Instagram

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Looking for support in building your own creative life? Come join over 100 other makers from around the world, having these very discussions, inside of The Community. Click here to learn more.

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Ep: 328 - Intentional Practice with Yair Abraham Jan 19, 2023

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“There’s only so much people can show you until you actually go and do it and fail and practice and practice until you get it….” This week on the podcast, I virtually sit down with Yairs Abraham who started his self-taught pottery journey in Buenos Aires, then moved to New Zealand, and now is potting away in his home studio in what spare time a baby and full-time job allows. But here’s the catch… he prefers it that way. And if his fantastically designed website is any indication, he’s definitely found the right solution for himself!

Next week I’m hosting our free live webinar all on the 4 Most Common Instagram Photography Mistakes (and yes, how to avoid them even if you are only using your cell phone). You can sign up at makersplaybook.com/instagram-photography I have a lot of example time zones listed when you go to that link so selecting a time that isn’t the middle of the night for you, regardless of where you tune in from, should be possible between January 26th or January 27th. This webinar is packed and it is quite the undertaking any time I host it, so I only do this at most twice a year. If next week isn’t a great time for you, yes there will be a replay, but it’s only going to be live for about a week, so if you sign up planning on the replay, just be sure to watch it as soon as it drops into your inbox. (And if you are seeing this after January 26 or 27, 2023 don’t worry! You can still sign up for free monthly photo tips by visiting: makersplaybook.com/newsletter

Guest Details:
Yair Abraham's Instagram

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Looking for support in building your own creative life? Come join over 100 other makers from around the world, having these very discussions, inside of The Community. Click here to learn more.

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Ep: 327 - “Blooming late,” Academia, & Imposter Syndrome with Page Kelly Jan 12, 2023

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This week, my conversation with Page Kelly of Zephyr Valley Ceramics twists and turns, much like her career paths. A self-proclaimed “late bloomer,” there is this stunning moment in this conversation at about the 46-ish minute marker when Page discusses the narrative body of work she is currently producing, where I hear literally every experience she has had in the last 2 decades - inside and outside of working in clay - come together. It’s an encouraging moment, especially for those of us that feel like we are getting started in this beautiful journey a bit… well, later than others. Note: There is a tiny bit of adult language in the latter half of this episode, so if you are listening around kiddos are in a community setting, you might want to choose to pop on some headphones.

Page is one of the founding members of The Community, our online home for makers and we do reference in a few times during our chat. You can learn more about what all The Community is about by clicking here: makersplaybook.com/community

In 2 weeks, I’m hosting our super popular Free, Live Webinar on the 4 Most Common Instagram Photography Mistakes (and how to avoid them. Yes, even with your cell phone). I only host this webinar twice a year, at most, because it is BIG. I pack it full of quick and helpful tips you can immediately implement, no matter how you are currently taking photos of your work. Plus, there’s time for Live Q&A! While it is free, spaces still are limited (because that’s how webinar hosting platforms work), so be sure to save your spot by clicking here and signing up for your choice of two different times on either January 26th or 27th, 2023 (and if you are listening to this episode after those dates have passed, you can still click that link to sign up for our email newsletter list and start receiving our monthly free photo tips, specifically geared for ceramicists and makers!).
Guest Details:
Page Kelly's Instagram

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Looking for support in building your own creative life? Come join over 100 other makers from around the world, having these very discussions, inside of The Community. Click here to learn more.

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Ep: 326- The Business of Pottery with Rebecca Graves-Prowse Jan 05, 2023

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For all of you out there who have been listening to the podcast and thinking, “It’s too late for me to make a career move… I’m too far into this corporate job with the 401ks and the healthcare and all the stuff…” Well, this episode, my friends, is for you. Rebecca of GravesCo sheds light on the decades of experience she had before she “magically”created an “overnight success.” We also nerd out a bit on the way spreadsheets allow us to make creative decisions and I for one, am not so subtly vying for a spot as a new biz-bestie with the powerhouse woman. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to go from a solo maker to the leader of a team, you aren’t going to want to miss this episode.

I’ve been alluding to it for awhile now. I talked generally about it to our email newsletter crew who, along with our Community members, are ALWAYS the first to find out about things happening over here at The Maker’s Playbook, and now the dates are official…. I am going to be reopening the doors to The Maker’s Photography Styling System on January 26th! But along with that, I’m ALSO going to be once again hosting our free, live webinar all about the 4 Most Common Instagram Photography Mistakes I see people making with their pottery, ALSO on January 26th and 27th. If you’ve been enjoying our monthly photo tips emails but want to essentially get 4 months worth of tips in about 45 minutes, then don’t miss out on the Free Live Webinar! Pop on over to makersplaybook.com/instagram-photography to save your seat for the FREE LIVE WEBINAR on the 4 Most Common Instagram Photography Mistakes (and how to avoid them) right now.
Guest Details:
Rebecca Graves-Prowse 's Instagram

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Looking for support in building your own creative life? Come join over 100 other makers from around the world, having these very discussions, inside of The Community. Click here to learn more.

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Ep: 325 - Finding New Routines with Alex Olson Dec 23, 2022

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Ceramics is not exactly an easily mobile art form. And depending on what you are making, it can take up a fair bit of space. So what the heck do you do when you move to New York City, but you know you are only going to be there for 2-4 years? And yet, you are fresh in the beginning stages of getting your business off the ground? Well, that’s exactly what Alex Olson is working on figuring out and this week we’re talking all about it, along with the reality of trying to build new healthy routines - both physically to ensure the longevity of working in clay, and mentally, when leaving in as busy of a place as NYC - that keep us inspired for the long game of making a living from the things we make.

Next week is our "off" week here on the podcast. 3 out of every 4 weeks, we air new episodes, but on that 4th week I send out our free Photo Tips Email Newsletter. And we're kicking off 2023 in a big way - Sending out a photo tips email all about GLARE. Be sure to not miss out by adding your email to the list at: makersplaybook.com/newsletter (And if you are listening to this episode well after the air date, don't worry! You can still add your email to the list and send me a message to get the tips all on glare at any point!)
If you're looking for a last minute holiday gift for a maker in your life (or heck, yourself!), consider helping support the podcast while also gaining an amazing support network of other makers by joining The Community. Visit makersplaybook.com/community to learn more.
Guest Details:
Alex Olson's Instagram

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Looking for support in building your own creative life? Come join over 100 other makers from around the world, having these very discussions, inside of The Community. Click here to learn more.

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Ep: 324 - Building Ceramicon with Elisabeth Young Dec 15, 2022

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In order to have kept my small business afloat for the last 12+ years, I had to learn a LOT of other skills that have absolutely nothing to do with crafting a photo. In fact, as you’ve heard from many past guests here on the podcast, once you go full-time with your craft, more often than not, you aren’t spending 100% of your time IN that craft. Instead, there’s admin and website updates and taxes and paperwork and customer service and…. Well, the list goes on, but I think you get the idea. To make a living from the things we make, there are a lot of skills required. But where the heck can you learn some of these skills? Well, for me, it was through in-person conferences. But thanks to the demands a global pandemic put on the world, all of those in-person conferences have realized they can provide these important resources to a heck of a lot more makers throughout the world if they hold a virtual conference. And starting in 2023, a brand new virtual summit is arriving. This week on the podcast, I’m chatting with the creator of Ceramicon. Elisabeth Young’s dream for Ceramicon is to offer an accessible way for people to learn multiple pottery techniques and business strategies from the artists they love and I’ll be joining the 17 other makers and small business owners, sharing some of our hard earned lessons in the pursuit of making a living from the things we make.

Get on the My Waitlist for Ceramicon by clicking here: https://www.ceramicon.co/rebecca?via=rebecca

We’re kicking off our Free Monthly Photo Tips email newsletter in 2023 with a huge subject. On January 1st, I’m sending out a photo tips email all about glare and how to deal with it when photographing your ceramics. Sign up for our Free Monthly Photo Tips Newsletters here: https://www.makersplaybook.com/newsletter/

Guest Details:
Elisabeth Young's Instagram
Click Here to Learn More about Ceramicon!
(affiliate link)

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Looking for support in building your own creative life? Come join over 100 other makers from around the world, having these very discussions, inside of The Community. Click here to learn more.

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Ep: 323 - Living, Learning and Making Abroad with Ido Ferber Dec 09, 2022

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How often do you find yourself listening to another maker or hearing about another artist’s story to get to where they are now and saying, “Well that worked for them but I…” But I’m not in my 20s. But I’m married. But I have a dog, but I… It can be really easy for any of us (myself included) to come up with all the reasons we can not do something. Until, you hear about someone who, even with all of those things, is doing the thing. This week on the podcast I’m chatting with Ido Ferber who has picked up and moved to Tokyo in order to studio ceramics. No, not directly from undergrad. And no, not even by himself. Ido and his wife, who is a maker in who own right, have both moved abroad to figure out how to make a living from the things they make.

There are A LOT of new resources I’m preparing on all things photography for makers in 2023. If you want to be the first to find out about new courses (on using your regular camera and on lighting, regardless of what kind of camera you use), then you need to hop over to makersplaybook.com/waitlist and join our Waitlist. The makers on our Waitlist get the first opportunity to sign up for courses, even before our full email list! It’s like the list inside the list. Doors to the Maker’s Photography Styling System will be opening again in January, and the two new courses will be arriving shortly after that. As always, spaces will be limited so that I can offer my super hands-on feedback to everyone. Click here to be first in line!
Guest Details:
Ido Ferber's Instagram

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Looking for support in building your own creative life? Come join over 100 other makers from around the world, having these very discussions, inside of The Community. Click here to learn more.

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Ep: 322 - Are You Spamming Your Email List? with Rebecca Ickes Carra Nov 25, 2022

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The irony of publishing this episode on Black Friday isn't lost on me. But here's the thing: Your emails are NOT the same as the big box stores. At least, not if you are actually (regularly) engaging with the people who have trusted you enough to give you their email address... The true irony is that oftentimes, thanks to our nerves around feeling like we might be spamming people, we wind up only emailing them when we have a shop update or an announcement about a market or show.
But what feels more spammy? Only hearing from someone when they want you to buy something or consistently learning more about an artistic process and the artist behind the pieces on a regular basis, that then culminates in the opportunity to purchase that work? On this week's solo episode, I'm dispelling some of the common myths about email marketing and how popping into your subscribers inbox is not the same as the big box stores sending endless emails to all of us this weekend.
We have a LOT of exciting things in store for 2023, so if you want to make sure you don't miss out on all the upcoming announcements, be sure you are on our own email list! Sign up at makersplaybook.com/newsletter.
If you've been loving these episodes and are interested in tangibly helping support the creation of the podcast, The Community is our online membership platform that does just that! Best of all, by joining, you are also joining a group of makers supporting each other in pursuing this dream of making a living from the things we make. As one member recently put it, it's a place where "internet artist friends [are] helping each other learn how to be business people." Come learn more at makersplaybook.com/community

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Looking for support in building your own creative life? Come join over 100 other makers from around the world, having these very discussions, inside of The Community. Click here to learn more.

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Love this podcast? Support an episode!
Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook

Ep: 321 - Pursuing Creativity Slowly with Horacio Casillas Nov 18, 2022

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Dream with me for a minute - What if instead of stressing out over figuring out everything, you simply take the next step? This week on the podcast, I’m interviewing Horacio Casillas, who is currently a resident at Companion Gallery. And he’s spending this unique time as a resident artist doing just that - taking the time to slow down and think. He doesn’t have the next 5 years of life already plotted out and ticking off the to-do list towards whatever crazy goal that demands to push harder and wake up earlier and grind. Instead (despite giving himself set work hours), he’s allowing himself to reflect and make at a pace that leaves space for new ideas. And as soon as you see his unique style of work, no doubt, you might be a bit more convinced (like me) that there’s something to be said for a bit of slowness in our lives…

The end of the year is barrelling towards us and I seriously cannot wait to share all I am planning and dreaming of bringing to you in 2023. To give you the short version - Let’s just say it’s A LOT more photography resources. So if you want to be sure you don’t miss out on these exciting announcements to come (because let’s be honest - we all know those algorithm-based locations are not reliable), be sure you are signed up for our email newsletter. Visit makersplaybook.com/newsletter to sign up and receive my favorite 3 steps to better photos faster as a thank you for signing up!
Guest Details:
Horacio Casillas Instagram

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Looking for support in building your own creative life? Come join over 100 other makers from around the world, having these very discussions, inside of The Community. Click here to learn more.

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Ep: 320 - Making Connections with Angelik Vizcarrondo-Laboy Nov 11, 2022

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You’ve just walked into a new gallery exhibition, and immediately you start thinking about the artist who created these amazing works in front of you. You dream of working in the arts and what that would be like. But have you ever thought about all the other ways you could also work in the arts? To put on that one exhibit there is also a gallery, and thus, a gallery owner (not to mention gallery employees), there’s potentially a marketing company that helps the gallery spread the word on new features, there might be writers and art critics that write reviews, and there may have even been a curator pulling all of these various pieces and people together. So, when we really get to thinking about it, there are a lot of ways to make a living working in the arts. And, as you are about to hear from this week’s guest, perhaps, if your goal has been to make an impact - to raise awareness around important social issues - well… maybe making the art isn’t always the fastest or biggest or most direct way to make that impact…

It is a crazy time of year right now. No matter how much earlier in the year you start preparing for holiday sales, it never seems like there’s enough time… While we all love this craft, but at times, it can also feel lonely. If you are looking for other makers to connect with, share stories, and support each other along the way to figuring out how the heck to make a living from the things we make (or at least make a side hustle), I’d love for you to come to check out The Community - our online membership and virtual home for makers. I know firsthand over these last 12 years, it’s only together that we really can make this dream come true. And a great bonus to the amazing supportive Community you’ll be a part of? By joining, you are also supporting the creation of this very podcast!
Learn more and see if it just might be the virtual home you’ve been looking for at makersplaybook.com/community

Guest Details:
Angelik Vizcarrondo-Laboy's Instagram

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Looking for support in building your own creative life? Come join over 100 other makers from around the world, having these very discussions, inside of The Community. Click here to learn more.

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Love this podcast? Support an episode!
Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook

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