In this episode, we chat with Kelly Browning of American Bisque and get the behind-the-scenes scoop on what it’s like to run a ceramic bisque manufacturing company. From the history of American Bisque to their current production process, Kelly walks us through how the magic happens. She shares how she juggles inventory, small business life, and prep for Convention where she’ll be teaching and showcasing her work. It's a great listen for anyone curious about the nuts and bolts of the supplier side of the PYOP world and what it takes to keep a ceramics business running strong.
In this episode, we sit down with Tom, the new owner of American Ceramics, a 50-year-old company with deep roots in the ceramic world. Tom shares how he got started—helping out at his wife’s pottery studio—and what led him to take the reins of a beloved ceramics supplier. We talk about his vision for the future, from launching an e-commerce site to expanding services and creating satellite pickup locations. He’s focused on modernizing operations while keeping strong relationships at the heart of the business. If you're curious about the behind-the-scenes of supply, strategy, and studio support, this one’s a must-listen.
In this episode, we’re joined by Lulu Villanueva, lead custom artist at As You Wish Pottery, for a deep dive into what makes a sample piece successful. Lulu shares how she plans seasonal displays across eight studios, balances creativity with customer-friendly design, and uses color palettes and stickers to keep things fun and accessible. We also chat about teaching kids' classes, managing studio inventory, and how to simplify color choices without sacrificing style.
This week, Wendy Pettys joins us to share her no-nonsense approach to content creation for paint-your-own-pottery studios. From planning and editing Instagram Reels to training staff and organizing behind-the-scenes footage, Wendy breaks down what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to social media. We cover everything from scheduling tools and trending audio to why your captions might not matter as much as you think. If you’ve been needing a push to finally post that reel—or just want to make your content feel more fun and manageable—this one’s for you.
Hey y'all! Jonesin' for a new episode of Glazed Over? Well you're in luck because a new episode drops TODAY! This week, we're diving into the world of studio software with the amazing and incredibly knowledgeable Aksh Gupta, founder of Occasion. If you've ever wondered how to streamline your studio's booking operations - from the user booking interface to recovering abandoned carts all the way to following up post-event reviews - this episode is for you! Available NOW on a preferred platform near you
Ever wonder what it really takes to run a paint-your-own pottery studio? In this episode, we sit down with Felicity Gunter and Kaelyn Bucy—two powerhouse studio managers—to talk about how they stepped into leadership, the systems they’ve built, and what it’s like balancing people, tasks, and chaos daily.
They open up about:✨ Navigating call-outs and conflict🛠️ Creating custom systems that work🌱 Growing their team (and themselves)💡 What they wish they had more time for.
If you’re a studio owner, manager, or dreaming of becoming one—this episode is a must-listen.🎧 Tune in now wherever you get your podcasts!
Saddle up and sparkle! Visit Bisque Imports at Convention for new products, games, sneak peeks, and swag-packed fun!
In this episode of Glazed Over, we’re joined by business coach and podcaster Wendy Batten, who shares her insight on goal-setting, marketing strategies, and creating a customer journey that actually works for both your business and your life. We talk about planning with purpose, balancing profits with joy, and the power of aligning your goals with your values. Wendy also opens up about her podcasting journey, the value of mentorship, and what she’s excited to teach at the upcoming convention where she’ll be leading workshops on goal planning and strategic marketing.
This week, we’re joined by HR consultant Katie Magoon for a practical (and surprisingly fun!) conversation about all things employee handbooks and studio policies. Katie breaks down what every small business should include in their handbook—from attendance and hygiene to termination procedures—while making sure it all reflects your company’s values. We also chat about handling out-of-state events, managing a growing team, and why your policies should work for you, not against you. Katie even shares some helpful resources if you’re ready to tighten up your HR game.
In this special bonus episode, we officially welcome our new co-host, Jessica Cowan! From her early days slinging spicy chicken sandwiches at Chick-fil-A to running pottery studios and yogurt shops, Jessica’s journey is full of leadership lessons, creative pivots, and a whole lot of heart. We talk about what she learned from fast food, entrepreneurship, and working alongside industry leaders—all of which led her to clay. Plus, she shares some exciting studio projects in the works, like AI assistants, toddler story time, and a community art postcard program. This is a fun, wide-ranging conversation full of laughs, real talk, and a few hot takes on Chick-fil-A sauces.
We’re sitting down with the queens of large-scale events—Gail and Jackie Burrow from All Fired Up in Nevada. They share how to find the right contacts, run smooth and successful big events, and keep those valuable partnerships strong. Gail and Jackie have this down to a science, and this episode is just a peek at what they know. Catch them at CCSA’s Convention in Denton, Texas, where they'll be leading a pre-con deep dive on this very topic!https://www.ccsaonline.com/2025-convention
In this episode, we chat with Samantha Irwin—a former teacher and boutique hotel owner—about what she’s learned from leading teams and creating standout customer experiences. With years in the hospitality industry under her belt, Samantha shares practical advice on staff training, building a positive work culture, and making every customer feel seen and valued. Whether you're running a pottery studio, a gift shop, or something in between, her insights on loyalty, leadership, and service will give you plenty to think about.
Des Toal from Bisque Imports graciously welcomes listeners to this month's podcast and commends listeners for growing successful businesses! https://www.bisqueimports.com/
Check out Occasion: https://occasion.app/
Today on the podcast, we’re joined by Julie and Robin Cates from On the Pot in Salina, Kansas. With 23 years of experience under their belts, these two have figured out not just how to hire great team members—but how to keep them. They share what they look for in a new hire, how they run interviews, their training strategies, and why giving young people clear expectations and real responsibility can lead to long-term success for everyone.
We’re back with Bill Shipley from Constant Contact, and this time we’re talking way more than just email. Bill gives us the scoop on all the new tools Constant Contact has rolled out—from SMS marketing to social media scheduling to seamless ad integrations. If you thought it was just an email platform, think again. These updates are designed to make your entire business run smoother (and smarter).
Today we’re joined by Anna Scott from Cutters For Clay and Debi DelaCruz of De La Designs for a conversation all about clay cutters. We cover how to store and clean them, tips for getting started, and best sellers. Whether you’re just beginning with clay cutters and stamps or looking to add to your setup, there’s something here for you. Check out their work at cuttersforclay.co.uk and deladesigngifts.com for more info and to shop!
Check out Occasion: https://occasion.app/
Bisque Imports has partnered with 4-H, America's largest youth organization! Licensed shapes are here- stock up now! https://www.bisqueimports.com/
In this episode, we are joined by Steve and Erin Racioppi to talk all about finding and designing the perfect studio space. We cover what to look for (and what to avoid) when touring potential locations, how to set up your space for the best creative flow, and what really matters. Plus, Steve drops a hot tip about one deal breaker of his when searching for new locations. Listen now—you don’t want to miss this one!
Bisque Imports has partnered with 4-H, America's largest youth organization! Licensed shapes are here- stock up now! https://www.bisqueimports.com/
Check out Occasion: https://occasion.app/
Today we chat with Michaela "MJ" Jaskowiak of As You Wish Pottery about the importance of Influencer Marketing. MJ takes us through what it is, how to reach out to influencers, and why you should be prioritizing this marketing strategy in 2025. This is an episode you'll come back to again and again!
Bisque Imports has partnered with 4-H, America's largest youth organization! Licensed shapes are here- stock up now! https://www.bisqueimports.com/
Check out Occasion: https://occasion.app/
Nobody wants a bad review, but it happens—even to the best studios. In this episode, we're joined by Maddie Riegel, owner of Glazed Expressions, who has mastered the art of responding to negative feedback with grace and professionalism. Maddie walks us through her approach to handling tough reviews on Google, Facebook, and Yelp—without losing your cool. From diffusing tension to turning critics into loyal customers, she’s got the strategies you need when things go sideways. Don’t let a bad review ruin your day—tune in and learn how to take control of the narrative!
Bisque Imports has partnered with 4-H, America's largest youth organization! Licensed shapes are here- stock up now! https://www.bisqueimports.com/
Check out Occasion: https://occasion.app/
We are so excited to have the King of Kilns himself, Jim Skutt, on the podcast this week! Jim talks to us about kilns types, best practices for loading, how easy repairs can be, and more. He even answers some very specific "hypotheticals" from Christine and Ammie. This will be an episode many of us come back to over and over again, we just know it! Learn more about Skutt Kilns at www.skutt.comBisque Imports has partnered with 4-H, America's largest youth organization! Licensed shapes are here- stock up now! https://www.bisqueimports.com/
Check out Occasion: https://occasion.app/
In this episode of Glazed Over, Ammie and Jessica are joined by Stacey and Caren to talk all things 4/20 events! We’re covering how to host your own, collaborate with dispensaries, price your pieces and events, and best glazing practices for ceramic bongs and pipes. We cover disclaimers and language for these events- especially if cannabis is not legal where you are. This episode is packed with tips, laughs, and plenty of high-spirited creativity.
Today we chat with display queens Nacy Tuel of Your Art's Desire and Wendy Pettys from The Pottery Patch. This episode is full of inspiration from starting with displays, tips on lighting, how to plan and schedule new displays, storing props, and more. You'll leave this episode excited and brimming with ideas for window displays, speedbumps, and shelf vignettes.