The Maker's Playbook - TopPodcast.com

Latest Episodes:

Ep: 127 - How I Do It All” Aug 28, 2021

Show notes

Having it all…. Doing it all… it’s the elusive dream. And while I don't think I'm actually doing it all, running 2 photography studios, starting a podcast, and launching an online course all while moving and starting one of the busiest wedding seasons in the history of events, is a lot to manage. In this week's episode I'm sharing the hard-earned tools & tricks I've learned over the last 11 years in business to manage my time running multiple businesses and somehow still get enough sleep at night (not to mention be a decent wife and available friend).

For full show notes visit: https://www.makersplaybook.com/podcast/

If the concepts shared here have piqued your interest, and you want to chat more, by all means, send me an email at rebecca@makers-playbook.com. As TJ was shocked to find out recently (and told me so in an email) - I do actually, personally, real live human here, respond directly to every message.

As I mentioned in last week’s episode, we are taking our first season break after this week! I’m going to be resharing some of our most popular episodes from the past year over the month of September, and be back with new conversations with amazing makers like Sunshine Cobb, Greta Michelle, and Rosa Wiland Holmes from the Great Pottery Throw Down - just to name a few and keep you anxiously awaiting October.

In the meantime, as always, I will still be sending out our monthly photography tips email, which is coming next week, so if you aren’t already on the list, be sure to get our at-home photography cheat sheet, which will put you on the email list for more free photo tips, specifically for ceramicists and makers. CLICK HERE for the free photography cheat sheet.
For full show notes and links to all of our guests' resources visit: www.makersplaybook.com/podcast

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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: 126 - On the Importance of Experimenting with Tamara Bryan Aug 20, 2021

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This week I’m chatting with Tamara Bryan, who you might know on Instagram as Tamara B Pottery. Tamara studied pottery in college and has been working out of her home studio on and off for the past 20 years. I say on and off because as the primary care giver for her kiddos, while it may look to some that Tamara had the freedoms of a full-time potter, living the dream, the reality for her felt a lot more like the crazed side-hustle grind. It’s been a constant trial and error not only in finding her distinct style that she gets asked about regularly, online, but also in discovering what business model works for her life - having tested out shows, built a large wholesale client list, and now, focusing predominately on her own online sales.

Soon I'll be taking a "season break" on the podcast in order to get caught up and implement some new and improved systems for more efficiently creating these episodes for all of you. It freaks me out to take an entire month "off" given what the algorithm robots will no doubt think. If you struggle with those same worries, please feel free to reach out - On Instagram @themakersplaybook or directly in email at rebecca@makers-playbook.com. Perhaps together we can shutup the persistent algorithm robots nagging away at our thoughts.

Even when we take a little season break, our regularly scheduled monthly photography tips will still be going out, so if you need help photographing your work, be sure to CLICK HERE to download our free at-home photography cheat sheet and be added to the list for monthly tips, specifically geared towards ceramicists and makers.
For full show notes and links to all of our guests' resources visit: www.makersplaybook.com/podcast
Guest Details:
Tamara Bryan'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

Ep: 125 - Mental Health & Finding Your Community with Katie Meili Aug 16, 2021

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Welcome back to another episode of the Maker’s Playbook! If you’ve been following along real-time, you know this episode is launching a couple of days later than usual, because my friends… woof! It’s August, and I’m still a wedding photographer… life is a weeeee bit crazy.

This week, I’m sharing an incredibly candid conversation I had with Katie Meili, who is a resident potter at The Village Potters in Asheville, North Carolina. We chat about the difficulties of mental health and how it feels when life takes unexpected turns that throw you off a path everyone else around you is on…. The silver linings that brought us to clay, and the importance of having a community that supports and pushes us as artists. Oh, not to mention, how an entire ruined kiln - I’m talking ENTIRE kiln load of completely ruined pots - brought Katie to her distinct style we know and love today.

Find the full show notes at https://www.makersplaybook.com/podcast/

If you missed out on joining our community for the Maker's Photography Styling System, you can snag the cheat sheet to start taking better photos faster (and get free monthly photography tips specific to ceramicists & makers) by clicking here!!
For full show notes and links to all of our guests' resources visit: www.makersplaybook.com/podcast
Guest Details:
Katie Meili'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

Ep: 124 - On Trusting Yourself with Sherród Faulks of Deep Black Designs Jul 30, 2021

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I thought about cutting this episode into 2 parts, but I just didn’t know where to pause this conversation, so settle on in because Sherrod and I just don’t stop. We’re two impassioned Scorpios who didn’t realize we were going to find such a fast connection so needless to say, we got a little carried away. And as two fire signs, we also get fired up, so there is a bit of cursing in this episode. If you have little ones, I suggest saving this episode for later or enjoying the wonders of headphones.

Don't miss out on the monthly free photography tips! Get our FREE At-Home Photography Cheat Sheet to kick things off by and be on the list for next week's monthly tip by clicking here.
For full show notes and links to all of our guests' resources visit: www.makersplaybook.com/podcast
Guest Details:
Sherród Faulks of Deep Black Designs 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

Ep: 123 - The Importance of a Vision with Alex Matisse of Eastfork Pottery Jul 23, 2021

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How do you go from a farm with a woodfire kiln and two potters to an industrial warehouse that already feels too small? Vision. And a bit of luck. At least, that's what worked for Alex Matisse, founder and chief strategic officer of the one and only Eastfork Pottery. On this episode, Alex shares insights into the pros and cons of growing such a large, successful business and how taking the time to get clear on a vision is the lynchpin of it all.

Alex and I chatted a lot about the importance of having a vision for your business and how that vision drives so many of the day-to-day decisions when a million things are flying at you. If you’re looking for a little help on how to answer all the myriad of questions you have floating in your head when it comes to your own business, whether that business is a weekend side-hustle, full time, or even still just a daydream - Be sure to click here to download my free PDF - The Savvy Owner’s Quick Guide to Smart Decisions.

This guide is built to help you create context around so many of the questions we ask other makers online - should I use Etsy or my own website? Is Squarespace better than Shopify? How do you… What about… All of these questions are important, but the right answer for you, specifically, depends on the context of your life, and - just as Alex and I discussed, the goals for the vision of your business. Download it for free here.
For full show notes and links to all of our guests' resources visit: www.makersplaybook.com/podcast
Guest Details:
Alex Matisse of Eastfork Pottery Instagram
Eastfork Pottery 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

Ep: 122 - Building a Brand Experience with Angela Venarchik Jul 16, 2021

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This week I'm catching up with one of my first ever potter friends, Angela Venarchik. As I was properly learning ceramics for the first time, Angela was preparing to quit her day job and go full-time with her pottery business. She taught me tricks to be more efficient with my throwing, and I shared business knowledge I'd learned over the last decade of entrepreneurship. And now... She's built a brand that not only provides customers with a consistent experience across all online platforms but also, connects her work to larger world issues that are meaningful in her own life and the lives of her customers. The way Angela manages to mimic the Midwestern landscapes that bring her so much inspiration in clean, minimal glaze designs continues to amaze me. After you listen to the episode, be sure to check out her work here.

Last week we closed the doors for a VERY full class of The Maker’s Photography Styling System, which you heard about during our photography extravaganza series here on the podcast, but if you’ve just found us, you can still get free, monthly photography tips by snagging my At Home Photography Cheat Sheet, which can be downloaded by clicking this link.

If you have makers you’d love to hear on the podcast or business questions you’d love to discuss, by all means, send me a DM on Instagram (@themakersplaybook) or send over an email to rebecca@makers-playbook.com and we’ll queue up an episode.
For full show notes and links to all of our guests' resources visit: www.makersplaybook.com/podcast
Guest Details:
Angela Venarchik'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.

---

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

Ep: 121 - 4th and Final week of the Photography Extravaganza! Jun 25, 2021

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When I first started learning photography, what made it so overwhelming was the number of variables. Not just stand-alone variables (like the effect humidity has on my hair) but intersecting variables. If I change my shutter speed, what does that do to the effects of the ISO or the aperture? But at the same time, if I start changing everything at once, then I really have no freakin’ clue what is going on and which variable is getting me the results I do (or do not) want!! Cue - Overwhelm.

So my friends, I’d like to present you with an alternative, on this 4th and final week of the Photography Extravaganza. I want you to learn how to systematize your photography approach. Because once you do that, I promise you will slice in half the amount of time it takes you to photograph your work.

This week on the podcast I touch on what systematizing your photography can look like, but I also dive deeper on an even bigger subject - How to vet educators online. Now, I realize, I'm clearly biased. After all, I'm an online educator. But over the last 11 years of entrepreneurship, I've also (more often than not) been the person buying from online educators. Some have been amazing. And some… well… Less than amazing. I know firsthand that learning from people who have been doing this longer than the rest of us is one of the fastest ways to accelerate your growth as a business owner. But I also want to help make sure that you don't make the same mistakes I made when it came to deciding which of those educators to listen to.

The culmination of the Photography Extravaganza is a FREE LIVE Webinar I'm hosting on June 29th & 30th: The 4 Most Common Instagram Photography Mistakes (and how to avoid them) Sign Up by clicking here. There will be a replay (so if neither of those days work for you, still sign up so you get the tips & tricks in a link later!), but if you join live, there is an incredible giveaway to the first 10 students.
For full show notes and links to all of our guests' resources visit: www.makersplaybook.com/podcast

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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.

---

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

Ep: 120 - Photography Extravaganza Week 3 Jun 19, 2021

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Have you ever thought about WHY you're taking the photos you're taking of your pots? Do you pull out your camera and just start shooting because you feel obligated? Or do you start photographing knowing what the photos you're taking are specifically going to be used for? This week, week 3 (out of 4!) of the Photography Extravaganza, I'm talking about the 3 primary purposes of photography for makers and how each requires a very different approach to photography.

Don't forget! At the end of this month I'm hosting a free, LIVE webinar about the 4 Most Common Instagram Photography Mistakes (and how to avoid them, even just using your cell phone). Sign up and join me, by clicking here.
For full show notes and links to all of our guests' resources visit: www.makersplaybook.com/podcast

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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.

---

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

Ep: 119 - Photography Extravaganza Week 2 Jun 11, 2021

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“What camera should I buy to have better photos?” It's a question I get asked more times than I can count. And if it's not that question then it's a close version of it:

- “Can I take good photos without a real camera? Only with my cell phone?”

- "But I don't have a swanky kitchen with marble countertops to make my photos look like that..."

All of these questions boil down to one: "Can I take good photos without..." and then insert whatever it is you feel like you don't have. Here’s the spoiler and Cliff Notes of this entire episode: Yes. yes, you can take good photos without a fancy new camera, without a swanky kitchen or sunlit studio. Yes, you can take good photos without spending hundreds of dollars on props. Tune into this episode to find out the solutions to all of these common questions.

Sign up for my free LIVE Webinar on the 4 Most Common Instagram Photography Mistakes (and how to avoid them, even just with your cell phone) by clicking here!

Or Download the At-Home Photography Cheat Sheet here.
For full show notes and links to all of our guests' resources visit: www.makersplaybook.com/podcast

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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.

---

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

Ep: 118 - Week 1 of the Photography Extravaganza! Jun 04, 2021

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The other week I asked all of you to tell me what you struggle with the most with photography over on our Instagram stories. One brave person said - “I”m not sure I even know what a good photo is.”

I had one of those smack your palm to your head moments as a teacher and coach where you realize after 11 years, there is so much I take for granted and don’t fully break down when teaching. So before we dive into this month-long extravaganza of all things photography and specifically photographing your work, here on the podcast, I thought it best to start at the beginning.

Spoiler Alert: On this episode, I spill the beans on a free webinar I'm offering at the end of June about the 4 Most Common Instagram Photography Mistakes I see (and how to avoid them, even if you're using your cell phone). Sign up for that webinar here!!!
For full show notes and links to all of our guests' resources visit: www.makersplaybook.com/podcast

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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.

---

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

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