Hands shaping a ceramic bowl on a pottery wheel — part of the process of starting a pottery business

Starting a Pottery Business: How I Turned My Creative Hobby into a Meaningful Life

Written by: Abel Pepping

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Published on

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Time to read 7 min

Starting a pottery business doesn’t usually begin with a business plan. It often starts with curiosity—seeing a handmade bowl that stops you in your tracks, touching clay for the first time, or wondering what it would feel like to make something that lasts.


That’s how it began for me. After years of working in busy kitchens, I found myself craving a quieter kind of creating. Clay offered that. What started as an interest slowly became a weekly rhythm, a home studio, shelves full of work… and eventually, a small business.


If you're reading this, you might be somewhere on that same path—wondering if starting a pottery business is something you could do too.

This post isn’t a complete how-to, but I hope it gives you some guidance and reassurance, especially if you’re just getting started.

💡 Did you know

  • Most potters run their business entirely from home—even from a single table or corner of a room.

  • Handmade ceramics are one of the most searched-for items in online gift shops.

  • You don’t need a huge following to sell your work—what matters most is connection and consistency.

  • Pricing is one of the hardest parts for potters to figure out—and one of the most important.

  • Many potters, myself included, learn the business side as they go. You don’t need to know everything to begin.

  • The word IKKAI means “one time” or “one chance” in Japanese. Every piece is unique. So is every business journey.

The Emotional Side of Selling Something You Made

There’s something deeply personal about pottery. Each piece holds your attention, your hands, your time. So the idea of selling it—of asking someone to pay money for it—can feel uncomfortable at first.


You might wonder:

  • Is it good enough?

  • Am I charging too much?

  • What if it breaks?

  • What if no one buys anything?

These feelings are normal. Every creative I know has felt them. What helped me was learning to separate the work from the worry. The work is done with care. The worry is just part of stepping into something new.

Selling your ceramics doesn’t mean you’re “commercial.” It just means you want to share something meaningful. And when someone chooses your piece, they’re not just buying an object. They’re inviting something handmade into their life.

That’s beautiful.

Finding Your Style

When you're just starting, it's easy to compare. You scroll through Instagram, you browse other ceramic shops, and suddenly you feel small. But every potter—no matter how experienced—had to begin somewhere.

I used to wonder if my pieces were “cohesive” enough. I wanted a clear style, a recognizable look. But I’ve learned that style isn’t something you decide. It’s something that forms when you keep showing up, doing what feels right, and letting your preferences lead the way.


Ask yourself:

  • What shapes do you love throwing?
  • What glazes feel good to you?
  • Do you like clean lines or textured forms?
  • Are you drawn to earthy tones or bright, playful colors? or both? why not?
Abel Pepping working in his pottery studio, inspecting a handmade ceramic piece as part of his small-batch pottery business
Photography by joannedelijster.nl

Let that be your starting point. The more honest you are with your work, the stronger your visual voice becomes—and people will notice.

Where to Sell Your Pottery

Starting a pottery business doesn’t have to feel like "sales." It can feel natural and personal when you choose the path that fits you best.


1. Local Makers Markets

Markets are a great way to begin. You meet customers face to face and get a feel for how people respond to your work. You also learn what questions they ask and what pieces catch their eye first.

Bring a small display, a tablecloth, and a few of your favorite pieces. Keep it simple and friendly.


2. Instagram or Facebook

Even if you’re not selling yet, sharing your process can be a lovely way to invite people in. Just simple, honest moments—like a bowl fresh off the wheel, a row of pieces waiting to be bisque fired, or that one glaze test that completely surprised you.

These quiet behind-the-scenes glimpses say a lot without needing big captions. They remind people there’s a real person behind the work. Someone experimenting, learning, and growing—just like they are.

You don’t need to post every day or make it polished. Just showing up now and then is enough to let others feel connected to what you’re creating.


3. A Simple Online Shop

Once you're ready, platforms like Shopify or Etsy are beginner-friendly. You don’t need 50 listings. Five to ten thoughtfully presented pieces are more than enough to start.

Use soft, natural light for your photos. Describe each piece simply—what it is, how it feels, what makes it special. Keep it honest and clear.

Pricing Your Pottery

Pricing is one of the hardest parts when starting a pottery business. There’s no fixed formula, and it often brings up all kinds of doubts. You’re not just calculating materials—you’re placing value on your time, your skill, and the quiet care behind every piece.

Here are a few gentle things to keep in mind:

  • Include the cost of clay, glaze, kiln time, packaging, and platform fees

  • Don’t forget the hours spent trimming, glazing, listing, and packing

  • It’s okay to start somewhere and adjust as you grow

  • Leave room for things like taxes, studio costs, and a little margin for yourself

Hand reaching toward freshly thrown pottery bowls in bisque stage, arranged on a studio table at IKKAI Ceramics
Photography by joannedelijster.nl

Even if you’re just getting started, it’s good to set your prices with VAT or income tax in mind—so you’re not caught off guard later. It doesn’t have to be complicated (and you can always ask for help), but it’s worth including a little margin to cover that side of things too.

Handmade pottery is not cheap. And it shouldn’t be. Your prices reflect your care, your experience, and all the quiet hours behind the scenes. The right people will see that—and happily support you.

Packaging & Shipping Ceramics

Shipping pottery takes some practice—especially when you're just starting a pottery business—but it gets easier with time and experience. It’s one of those things that improves the more you do it, and it becomes part of the care you give each order. From finding the right materials to developing your own wrapping rhythm, you’ll figure out what works best for your pieces.


Tips for safe and thoughtful packaging:

  • Use strong boxes and double-layer where needed

  • Wrap pieces in paper and cushion with cardboard, not just bubble wrap

  • Include a handwritten thank-you card

  • Add care instructions if helpful

The way you package your work is an extension of your brand. It’s the first thing your customer sees when they open the box. Make it feel calm, clean, and personal.

Abel Pepping in his pottery studio, carefully examining a handmade bowl surrounded by shelves of bisqueware and ceramics
Photography by joannedelijster.nl

The Honest Pros and Cons of Starting a Pottery Business

Starting a pottery business is deeply rewarding, but like anything meaningful, it comes with its own rhythm of highs and challenges. Here's a look at both.

🌿 Pros

  • You create with meaning Each piece becomes part of someone’s daily life. That feeling—knowing your work is used and loved—is incredibly rewarding.
  • You connect with others
    Whether through markets or online, you meet people who truly value handmade work. There’s something special about those quiet exchanges between maker and customer.
  • You set your own pace
    You get to build your business around your life. Slow seasons are allowed. Growth can be gentle. You’re in charge of the rhythm.
  • It’s grounding work
    Throwing, trimming, glazing—it pulls you into the moment. Even when it becomes your job, it still holds calm and focus.
  • You can follow your style
    You don’t have to follow trends or mass production. The more you stay true to your own aesthetic, the more your work will stand out.
  • Every day is different
    No two kiln loads are the same. There’s always something to learn or experiment with. It stays interesting, even years in.

.🍂 Cons 

  • It takes time
    Building a business doesn’t happen overnight. It can be slow in the beginning—and that’s okay. Patience becomes part of the process.
  • Shipping is a puzzle
    Fragile pieces need careful packing and strong boxes. It takes practice (and a few learning moments) to get it just right.
  • There’s a business side
    Pricing, bookkeeping, taxes, customer emails... It’s all doable, but it can feel like a lot at first—especially if you’d rather be at the wheel.
  • Self-doubt is real
    It’s personal work. Some days you’ll second-guess your prices, your glaze choices, or your entire style. But you keep going—and confidence builds with time.
  • It can take a while to be profitable Buying clay, glaze, tools, packaging, and kiln power adds up. In the beginning, you might not make much (or anything) after expenses. It takes time to build toward consistent income—but it is possible.

If you’ve made it this far, I hope something in this post has helped you feel a little more grounded or inspired. If you’re looking for more guidance—on pricing, packaging, shipping, or building your small ceramics business—I’ve written something that might support you along the way.

It’s called From Hobby to Business, and it’s a calm, practical guide filled with the lessons I’ve learned through experience. 

No pressure at all—just something to keep in mind for when you’re ready to take that next step.


Thanks for being here.

—Abel

You don’t need a perfect plan to start—just a love for making and the courage to share it.

Your unique pottery style will grow naturally as you keep creating.

Starting small is enough—many potters begin in home studios or shared spaces.

Markets, social media, and simple webshops are great ways to start selling.

Pricing can be emotional, but it gets easier with time and clarity.

Packaging is part of your customer’s experience—wrap with care and intention.

A pottery business comes with ups and downs, but it can be deeply fulfilling.

The best way to begin is to start where you are.

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Abel Pepping standing in a handmade ceramics studio surrounded by shelves of pottery, part of the journey of starting a pottery business

Abel Pepping

I’m Abel, the potter behind IKKAI Ceramics. After over 20 years as a chef, I found clay—and never looked back. What began as a quiet curiosity turned into a full-time pottery business. From a cozy studio in Beverwijk, I now make small-batch ceramics inspired by Japanese design, nature, and daily rituals. I share my work at markets and online.

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