S4E14: Selling Local – Start With OneIn this episode of The Pin Tool Podcast, we talk about what it means to sell local—starting small, starting close, and starting with just one customer, one connection, one sale. I share three approaches that have worked at Creek Road Pottery: joining or starting a local art trail with other businesses, doing custom work by choosing the right people to make for, and setting up shop like a yard sale—on your own terms, right where you are. It’s not always about scaling up. Sometimes the strongest foundation for your pottery business is built from personal connections, steady relationships, and local support. Whether you're building a trail, serving one household, or putting your work out on the table for passersby, this episode is about making it real, simple, and direct.The Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/The Creek Road Pottery LLC Blog:https://creekroadpottery.com/blog/   Honduran Fair Trade Coffee – BeautiFallPotteryThese ethically sourced beans come directly from small family farms in Honduras. Every bag supports local communities by helping families pay for healthcare and essential needs. Grown with care and sold through fair trade partnerships, this coffee offers more than great flavor—it helps build a stronger future for the people who grow it.https://www.etsy.com/shop/BeautiFallPottery

Welcome back to The Pin Tool Podcast, where we dive deep into the craft, philosophy, and business of making pottery that matters. I’m your host, Alford Wayman, and today, we’re bringing together the wisdom of the 12 Steps and The Artist’s Way —applying them directly to the life of an artist, a maker, and a business owner. We’ll discuss when and how to ask for help. Whether you’re at the wheel, in the studio, or just reflecting on your creative journey, this episode will offer suggestions on letting go of what's holding you back. The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-25th-Anniversary/dp/0143129252My Pottery Journal, by Alford Waymanhttps://www.amazon.com/My-Pottery-Journal-Alford-Wayman/dp/B0CDNMNRX7The Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/The Creek Road Pottery LLC Blog:https://creekroadpottery.com/blog/

Welcome back to The Pin Tool Podcast, where we delve into the craft, philosophy, and business of creating pottery that matters. I’m your host, Alford Wayman, and today, is a post from a live feed from my substack, The Pottery DailiesThe Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/The Creek Road Pottery LLC Blog:https://creekroadpottery.com/blog/

Welcome back to The Pin Tool Podcast, where we dive deep into the craft, philosophy, and business of making pottery that matters. I’m your host, Alford Wayman, and today, we’re bringing together the wisdom of the 12 Steps and The Artist’s Way —applying them directly to the life of an artist, a maker, and a business owner. We’ll discuss letting go of what's holding you back. Whether you’re at the wheel, in the studio, or just reflecting on your creative journey, this episode will offer suggestions on letting go of what's holding you back. The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-25th-Anniversary/dp/0143129252My Pottery Journal, by Alford Waymanhttps://www.amazon.com/My-Pottery-Journal-Alford-Wayman/dp/B0CDNMNRX7The Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/The Creek Road Pottery LLC Blog:https://creekroadpottery.com/blog/

Welcome back to The Pin Tool Podcast, where we dive deep into the craft, philosophy, and business of making pottery that matters. I’m your host, Alford Wayman, and today, we’re bringing together the wisdom of the 12 Steps and The Artist’s Way —applying them directly to the life of an artist, a maker, and a business owner. We’ll discuss building community with my AI bot, Project Planner Amelia. Whether you’re at the wheel, in the studio, or just reflecting on your creative journey, this episode will give you suggestions on taking creative risks and why building community is essential. The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-25th-Anniversary/dp/0143129252My Pottery Journal, by Alford Waymanhttps://www.amazon.com/My-Pottery-Journal-Alford-Wayman/dp/B0CDNMNRX7The Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/The Creek Road Pottery LLC Blog:https://creekroadpottery.com/blog/

Welcome back to The Pin Tool Podcast, where we dive deep into the craft, philosophy, and business of making pottery that matters. I’m your host, Alford Wayman, and today, we’re bringing together the wisdom of the 12 Steps and The Artist’s Way —applying them directly to the life of an artist, a maker, and a business owner. We’ll talk with my A.I. bot, Project Planner, Amelia, about Taking Inventory. Whether you’re at the wheel, in the studio, or just reflecting on your creative journey, this episode will give you suggestions on taking creative risks and why risk is important. The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-25th-Anniversary/dp/0143129252My Pottery Journal, by Alford Waymanhttps://www.amazon.com/My-Pottery-Journal-Alford-Wayman/dp/B0CDNMNRX7The Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/The Creek Road Pottery LLC Blog:https://creekroadpottery.com/blog/

Welcome back to The Pin Tool Podcast, where we dive deep into the craft, philosophy, and business of making pottery that matters. I’m your host, Alford Wayman, and today, we're discussing being overwhelmed. I don’t have it all figured out. Most days, I’m just like you, swimming through resistance, elbowing my way through the chaos, and trying to remember why I started making pots in the first place. Overwhelm doesn’t mean you’re broken. It just means you care. The hard part is deciding what to care about first.Seth Godin Books mentioned: The Practice. Poke The Box. The Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/The Creek Road Pottery LLC Blog:https://creekroadpottery.com/blog/

Welcome back to The Pin Tool Podcast, where we dive deep into the craft, philosophy, and business of making pottery that matters. I’m your host, Alford Wayman, and today, we’re bringing together the wisdom of the 12 Steps and The Artist’s Way —applying them directly to the life of an artist, a maker, and a business owner. We’ll talk with my A.I. bot Project Planner, Amelia, about taking creative Risks. Whether you’re at the wheel, in the studio, or just reflecting on your creative journey, this episode will give you suggestions on taking creative risks and why risk is important.   Send your submission for the mug giveaway to creekroadpottery@gmail.com    The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-25th-Anniversary/dp/0143129252My Pottery Journal, by Alford Waymanhttps://www.amazon.com/My-Pottery-Journal-Alford-Wayman/dp/B0CDNMNRX7The Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/The Creek Road Pottery LLC Blog:https://creekroadpottery.com/blog/

Welcome back to The Pin Tool Podcast, where we dive deep into the craft, philosophy, and business of making pottery that matters. I’m your host, Alford Wayman, and today, we’re bringing together the wisdom of the 12 Steps and The Artist’s Way —applying them directly to the life of an artist, a maker, and a business owner. We’ll talk with my A.I. bot Project Planner, Amelia, about how to overcome creative blocks by believing your purpose and finding your identity. Whether you’re at the wheel, in the studio, or just reflecting on your creative journey, this episode will give you practical steps to push forward with confidence and purpose. So grab your pin tool, settle in, and let’s shape something together—starting with the mindset that fuels it all. Let’s dive in!   Send your submission for the mug giveaway to creekroadpottery@gmail.com    The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-25th-Anniversary/dp/0143129252My Pottery Journal, by Alford Waymanhttps://www.amazon.com/My-Pottery-Journal-Alford-Wayman/dp/B0CDNMNRX7The Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/The Creek Road Pottery LLC Blog:https://creekroadpottery.com/blog/

Welcome to "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art and life intersect. I’m your host, Alford Wayman of Creek Road Pottery LLC. This episode explores the challenges of reduction firings, show prep, and how the Creek Road Pottery Spring Show 2025 went. Website: https://creekroadpottery.comThe Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/

Welcome back to The Pin Tool Podcast, where we dive deep into the craft, philosophy, and business of making pottery that matters. I’m your host, Alford Wayman, and today; we’re bringing together the wisdom of the 12 Steps and The Artist’s Way —applying them directly to the life of an artist, a maker, and a business owner. We’ll talk with my A.I. bot Project Planner, Amelia, about how to overcome creative blocks by admitting our weaknesses. Whether you’re at the wheel, in the studio, or just reflecting on your creative journey, this episode will give you practical steps to push forward with confidence and purpose. So grab your pin tool, settle in, and let’s shape something together—starting with the mindset that fuels it all. Let’s dive in!   The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-25th-Anniversary/dp/0143129252My Pottery Journal, by Alford Waymanhttps://www.amazon.com/My-Pottery-Journal-Alford-Wayman/dp/B0CDNMNRX7The Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/The Creek Road Pottery LLC Blog:https://creekroadpottery.com/blog/

Welcome back to The Pin Tool Podcast, where we dive deep into the craft, philosophy, and business of making pottery that matters. I’m your host, Alford Wayman, and today; we’re exploring a powerful framework that blends creative recovery, mental resilience, and business strategy. If you've ever felt stuck in your art—whether creatively, emotionally, or even in the way you run your business—this episode is for you. We’re bringing together the wisdom of the 12 Steps and The Artist’s Way —applying them directly to the life of an artist, a maker, and a business owner. We’ll talk about how to overcome creative blocks, build resilience, and structure our work so that it’s meaningful and sustainable. Whether you’re at the wheel, in the studio, or just reflecting on your creative journey, this episode will give you practical steps to push forward with confidence and purpose. So grab your pin tool, settle in, and let’s shape something together—starting with the mindset that fuels it all. Let’s dive in!The Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/The Creek Road Pottery LLC Blog:https://creekroadpottery.com/blog/

Welcome to the latest episode of "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art meets entrepreneurship. I'm your host, Al Wayman, from Creek Road Pottery LLC. In this episode, I discuss with my virtual assistant, Amelia, an Artificial Intelligence Chatbot, the topic of  "Peopleing".  Understanding people can play an essential role in creating work that matters. Connecting with others through generosity, empathy, and gratitude can be a way forward. It’s not about maximizing revenue but about creating meaningful work for a select audience that truly cares. Small hometown shows remind me why I started making pottery in the first place, and I’m grateful for the chance to build connections and inspire others along the way. Who would miss you if you were gone?The Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/The Creek Road Pottery LLC Blog:https://creekroadpottery.com/blog/

Welcome to "The Pin Tool Podcast," where creativity meets organization. I’m your host, Alford Wayman of Creek Road Pottery LLC. In this episode, I have a discussion with my virtual assistant, Amelia, an Artificial Intelligence Chatbot, on the tools that help us stay productive—planners and Google Calendar.  Whether you’re managing a pottery studio, balancing creative projects, or just trying to keep your life on track, having the right systems in place makes all the difference. Join me as we explore how these tools can help you plan your days, set priorities, and stay focused on what matters most. 40 Chat GPT- Prompts for Pottery https://creekroadpottery.com/40-chat-gpt-prompts-for-pottery/   Website: https://creekroadpottery.comThe Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/

Welcome to "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art and life intersect. I’m your host, Alford Wayman of Creek Road Pottery LLC. This episode explores the challenges of organizing a Holiday Trail with other small businesses and how the Creek Road Pottery Christmas show went. Website: https://creekroadpottery.comThe Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/The Back Road Christmas Trailhttps://www.facebook.com/thebackroadchristmastrail

Welcome to "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art and life intersect. I’m your host, Alford Wayman of Creek Road Pottery LLC. In this episode, we explore the challenges of staying focused amid distractions, the importance of taking responsibility for both successes and failures, and the need for empathy and collaboration, especially in shared creative and political spaces. Whether in the pottery studio or in the larger community, it’s crucial to learn from mistakes, take ownership, and work together toward positive change. Website: https://creekroadpottery.comThe Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/The Back Road Christmas Trailhttps://www.facebook.com/thebackroadchristmastrail

Welcome to "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art and life intersect. I’m your host, Alford Wayman of Creek Road Pottery LLC. Today, we talk about my Fall show 2024, what went right, and what I may need to work on. I then read one of my posts on the Pottery Dailies. Generosity and Pricing: No One Owes You Anythinghttps://thepotterydailies.substack.com/p/generosity-and-pricing Website: https://creekroadpottery.comThe Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/The Creek Road Pottery LLC Carbon Trapping Collection:https://creekroadpottery.com/product-category/carbon-trapping/

Welcome to "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art and life intersect. I’m your host, Alford Wayman of Creek Road Pottery LLC. Today, we talk about a quiet moment of connection at a rainy Sunday market, capturing the value of showing up, even when the weather and conditions aren’t ideal. Through a chance encounter with a single customer, meaningful exchanges are often worth more than any sale, and the impact of our creative work can ripple beyond the moment. Why Showing Up Matters https://thepotterydailies.substack.com/p/why-showing-up-matters   Website: https://creekroadpottery.com/The Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/The Creek Road Pottery LLC Blog:https://creekroadpottery.com/blog/

Welcome to ”The Pin Tool Podcast,” where art and life intersect. I’m your host, Alford Wayman of Creek Road Pottery LLC. Today, I’m sharing a personal reflection on life, art, and the lessons learned from my father. We’ll dive into moments of creativity, connection, and the challenges of balancing life’s difficult decisions. As you listen, think about the values and principles guiding you in tough times. How do you navigate struggles, whether in life or in your craft?

Welcome to the latest episode of "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art meets entrepreneurship. I'm your host, Alford  Wayman, from Creek Road Pottery LLC. In this episode, I have a discussion with my virtual assistant, Amelia, an Artificial Intelligence Chatbot, as we explore Life & Art Balance. At times, we might need to consider, or make hard decisions we might not enjoy. What type of core values and guiding principles do you have to help you make hard decisions? Have you met any type of suffering while working to achieve your goals in life or with the pots?    Website: https://creekroadpottery.com/The Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/The Creek Road Pottery LLC Blog:https://creekroadpottery.com/blog/