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Time to read 7 min
Thatās 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 workā¦ and eventually, a small business.
If you're reading this, you might be somewhere on that same pathāwondering if starting a pottery businessĀ is something you could do too.
This post isnāt a complete how-to, but I hope it gives you some guidance and reassurance, especially if youāre just getting started.
Most potters run their business entirely from homeāeven from a single table or corner of a room.
Handmade ceramics are one of the most searched-for items in online gift shops.
You donāt need a huge following to sell your workāwhat matters most is connection and consistency.
Pricing is one of the hardest parts for potters to figure outāand one of the most important.
Many potters, myself included, learn the business side as they go. You donāt need to know everything to begin.
The word IKKAIĀ means āone timeā or āone chanceā in Japanese. Every piece is unique. So is every business journey.
Thereās something deeply personal about pottery. Each piece holds your attention, your hands, your time. So the idea of selling itāof asking someone to pay money for itācan 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 doesnāt mean youāre ācommercial.ā It just means you want to share something meaningful. And when someone chooses your piece, theyāre not just buying an object. Theyāre inviting something handmade into their life.
Thatās beautiful.
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 potterāno matter how experiencedāhad to begin somewhere.
I used to wonder if my pieces were ācohesiveā enough. I wanted a clear style, a recognizable look. But Iāve learned that style isnāt something you decide. Itās something that forms when you keep showing up, doing what feels right, and letting your preferences lead the way.
Ask yourself:
Let that be your starting point. The more honest you are with your work, the stronger your visual voice becomesāand people will notice.
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.
Even if youāre not selling yet, sharing your process can be a lovely way to invite people in. Just simple, honest momentsālike 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 thereās a real person behind the work. Someone experimenting, learning, and growingājust like they are.
You donāt need to post every day or make it polished. Just showing up now and then is enough to let others feel connected to what youāre creating.
Once you're ready, platforms like Shopify or Etsy are beginner-friendly. You donāt 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 simplyāwhat it is, how it feels, what makes it special. Keep it honest and clear.
Pricing is one of the hardest parts when starting a pottery business. Thereās no fixed formula, and it often brings up all kinds of doubts. Youāre not just calculating materialsāyouāre 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
Donāt forget the hours spent trimming, glazing, listing, and packing
Itās okay to start somewhere and adjust as you grow
Leave room for things like taxes, studio costs, and a little margin for yourself
Even if youāre just getting started, itās good to set your prices with VAT or income tax in mindāso youāre not caught off guard later. It doesnāt have to be complicated (and you can always ask for help), but itās worth including a little margin to cover that side of things too.
Handmade pottery is not cheap. And it shouldnāt be. Your prices reflect your care, your experience, and all the quiet hours behind the scenes. The right people will see thatāand happily support you.
Shipping pottery takes some practiceāespecially when you're just starting a pottery businessābut it gets easier with time and experience. Itās 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, youāll figure out what works best for your pieces.
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. Itās the first thing your customer sees when they open the box. Make it feel calm, clean, and personal.
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.
If youāve made it this far, I hope something in this post has helped you feel a little more grounded or inspired. If youāre looking for more guidanceāon pricing, packaging, shipping, or building your small ceramics businessāIāve written something that might support you along the way.
Itās called From Hobby to Business, and itās a calm, practical guide filled with the lessons Iāve learned through experience.Ā
No pressure at allājust something to keep in mind for when youāre ready to take that next step.
Thanks for being here.
āAbel
You donāt need a perfect plan to startājust a love for making and the courage to share it.
Your unique pottery style will grow naturally as you keep creating.
Starting small is enoughāmany 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 customerās experienceāwrap 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.
If you'd like to stay in the loop, you can subscribe to my newsletter. It's the best way to get early access to shop updates, hear about new collections, and receive occasional updates from the studio.
Subscribers are the first to know when something new is comingāand I always share it there before anywhere else. You're warmly invited to join.
Abel Pepping
Iām Abel, the potter behind IKKAI Ceramics. After over 20 years as a chef, I found clayāand 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.
Comments
Thanks for sharing this. So practical! Itās good to see a maker firing up the blog again. I hope others follow.
