We've just reached the halfway point of our fundraiser, and we're a bit behind schedule. Since the fundraiser launched, we've been trying to get as much feedback as possible in order to figure out the best ways to go forward with our fundraiser and project as a whole.
Here's some of the main feedback we've been hearing:
- the Indiegogo website is not as easily accessible as it could be
- it is unclear whether someone has to claim a "perk" or not in order to donate
- it is unclear if someone can donate in any amount
Other than frequently posting the link to our Indiegogo, we're having trouble coming up with ways to make it more easily accessible to people. If anyone has any suggestions, please don't hesitate to let us know.
As to the second and third pieces of feedback, here's some information that will hopefully clarify how Indiegogo works an what we're trying to do:
Indiegogo is a crowdfunding website, similar to Kickstarter, except that the project will still receive funds if the goal isn't reached. People can donate in any amount, and do not need to claim a "perk" in order to do so. The perks are simply like incentives or thank-you gifts for your donation.
We are not selling pottery on Indiegogo. The prices that you see on the site are not the prices that we will be selling for. We struggled with trying to decide what we should give people as a thank-you for donating, but since this is a pottery business, it was all that really seemed to make sense. The prices differ from what we would normally sell for because we had to ensure that when the costs of shipping and the percentage that Indiegogo takes were considered, we would still be left with what we need for start up. On average, we hope to sell pieces for around $20. This fundraising campaign is separate from and different than our sales– our sales will maintain the business and allow us to afford firing the kiln and the ongoing costs of materials. Our fundraiser will be what allows us to start up this studio in the first place.
If you choose to donate to our campaign, please do not feel like you have to donate in any particular amount. We truly appreciate anything that you can give.
If anyone has any other feedback, questions, or suggestions, please send us a message to let us know. We're still learning, and we greatly appreciate your feedback and continued support.
- m + e
PS: We will have a more-fun-and-less-business blog post coming soon!
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
We're Fundraising!
Last week, we started an online fundraising campaign in order to help cover the steep start-up costs of a studio. Although we are keeping this operation as modest as possible, there are certain costs that can't be avoided. The aim of the fundraiser is to ensure that we are able to keep with the founding principles of this project and create work that is both affordable and accessible.
Since the campaign launched, we have been sharing it on Facebook and through e-mail with our extended network of friends and family. We also created a Facebook page for the project, which we shared on our personal pages, as well as invited people to "like." We have been posting updates about what we've been working on and what's been happening in the studio.
We've been very busy both in the studio and in the community over the past week– setting up the garage, selling at the local farmer's market, checking out local businesses, galleries, and events where we might be able to sell work– and of course– making pots. We borrowed one wheel from a friend, which has been great. Unfortunately, we have let to locate another, which considerably slows down our production. The goal of the fundraiser is $2000, which will mainly cover the cost of the kiln ($1000 for the kiln itself and $650 in instillation), and so we need to find a used wheel for a decent price.
So far, we have raised $430, and we have 23 days left on the campaign. In addition to asking people to donate, we are also asking people to share our pages with their friends (and we would highly appreciate it if you could help us spread the word).
Soon, our work will be more readily available in the greater Portland, ME area, as well as online (more information to come soon). So far, you can expect us at the Portland Farmer's Market on Sunday from 7-1, "first Friday" Art Walks in Portland from 5:30 to 8pm, and hopefully "last Friday"Art Walks in Lewiston/Auburn.
Finally, we want to express our deepest appreciation for everyone who has gotten involved in supporting our project so far. We're getting close to being ready to fire our kiln for the first time– so you'll be seeing our new work posted here very soon!
- m + e
Click here to see our fundraiser:
Click here to see our Facebook page:
We've been very busy both in the studio and in the community over the past week– setting up the garage, selling at the local farmer's market, checking out local businesses, galleries, and events where we might be able to sell work– and of course– making pots. We borrowed one wheel from a friend, which has been great. Unfortunately, we have let to locate another, which considerably slows down our production. The goal of the fundraiser is $2000, which will mainly cover the cost of the kiln ($1000 for the kiln itself and $650 in instillation), and so we need to find a used wheel for a decent price.
So far, we have raised $430, and we have 23 days left on the campaign. In addition to asking people to donate, we are also asking people to share our pages with their friends (and we would highly appreciate it if you could help us spread the word).
Soon, our work will be more readily available in the greater Portland, ME area, as well as online (more information to come soon). So far, you can expect us at the Portland Farmer's Market on Sunday from 7-1, "first Friday" Art Walks in Portland from 5:30 to 8pm, and hopefully "last Friday"Art Walks in Lewiston/Auburn.
Finally, we want to express our deepest appreciation for everyone who has gotten involved in supporting our project so far. We're getting close to being ready to fire our kiln for the first time– so you'll be seeing our new work posted here very soon!
- m + e
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Pots Matter: An Introduction to the Pottery Project
We are two young artists trying to start a small-scale pottery production over the course of a summer and contribute to the Maine art scene. We are looking to gain experience and better our understanding of the notably difficult creative market. Our project is about expanding our portfolios and skills, creating an image, a business, and most importantly, making a meaningful contribution to the greater art community while doing what we love.
There is no guidebook for young artists. We want to be transparent about this experience to share our successes (and failures) with other young artists by maintaining this blog throughout the process detailing and documenting our costs, strategies, processes, inspirations, thoughts, and ideas. In addition, we hope to convey our ideas about the importance of pottery, the language of ceramics, and the process of creating the work. The plan is, simply, to create a variety of affordable pottery meant to be used everyday.
We are not heading into the project blindly. We both have experience studying and making–particularly ceramics. And here's why we think pots (still) matter:
Every civilization on earth has created some form of pottery. It is a common language often entwined with food– another commonality. There is a subtle language in pottery that many of us have become illiterate to in the digital age: the communication of touch and value of surface. Whether it is a soldier from the terra cotta army or a hand-crafted bowl from down the street, there are quiet marks from hands which have pushed the clay into the right place for a reason. We believe that it is important to understand and acknowledge this involved process of creation, at a time when we are seeing more and more mass-produced, standardized objects. The purpose of the Pottery Project is to continue this dialogue, and bring others into the conversation.
We hope you will join us in this very early stage of our project and watch it grow with us over time.
- m + e
There is no guidebook for young artists. We want to be transparent about this experience to share our successes (and failures) with other young artists by maintaining this blog throughout the process detailing and documenting our costs, strategies, processes, inspirations, thoughts, and ideas. In addition, we hope to convey our ideas about the importance of pottery, the language of ceramics, and the process of creating the work. The plan is, simply, to create a variety of affordable pottery meant to be used everyday.
We are not heading into the project blindly. We both have experience studying and making–particularly ceramics. And here's why we think pots (still) matter:
Every civilization on earth has created some form of pottery. It is a common language often entwined with food– another commonality. There is a subtle language in pottery that many of us have become illiterate to in the digital age: the communication of touch and value of surface. Whether it is a soldier from the terra cotta army or a hand-crafted bowl from down the street, there are quiet marks from hands which have pushed the clay into the right place for a reason. We believe that it is important to understand and acknowledge this involved process of creation, at a time when we are seeing more and more mass-produced, standardized objects. The purpose of the Pottery Project is to continue this dialogue, and bring others into the conversation.
We hope you will join us in this very early stage of our project and watch it grow with us over time.
- m + e
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