Hello, dear ... everyone)) So, we begin to analyze the main stages of work on the potter's wheel. Today we will learn centering. This is one of the most difficult stages for beginners to practice pottery. It is somewhat similar to the process of raising children - here, as well as from a child, from clay, obedience must be achieved. And oh, it's not easy...

For work, we need a potter's wheel, a bowl of water, a prepared piece of clay, a string, a sponge, and, of course, grateful spectators)).

First you need to check the clay for softness. If the clay easily leaves fingerprints, but at the same time it does not stick to them (i.e. not very liquid), then proceed to the next step. If not, and the clay is hard, it should be wrapped in a wet cloth and put in a plastic bag for a while. If the clay is too soft, then it must be dried.

Now we cut off a piece of the size we need with a string. As a rule, there are voids in clay, and it may also be heterogeneous in composition and density.

Therefore, before you put a lump of clay on the potter's wheel, you need to give it a good pat with your hand. (Sometimes this has to be done with children, but it’s better to find a different approach to them :) At the same time, we form a ball from our lump.

Now we need to take a small piece of clay, turn on the potter's wheel

and spread the clay in a thin layer in a circle. This layer is needed so that the working lump of clay is well attached and does not fly away during work.

Turn off the circle and attach our main piece, carefully pressing the clay around the perimeter.

Now water comes into play. This is our lubricant, it keeps the clay from sticking to your hands. Water should be added periodically - as it drains and soaks into the clay.

Now we turn on the potter's wheel again and proceed to centering. With both hands we squeeze our lump a little. Here it is important to fix the hands so that they do not “jump” from the unevenness of the clay. This is where it is necessary to achieve obedience from the clay - so that not the hands follow the clay, but the clay follows the hands.

As in the case of children, it is imperative to get them to fulfill their duties (clean up toys, for example), and with clay - you need to “get your way”. And just like with children, it is important not to “squeeze” - this can push the child away from you, while the clay is severely deformed or simply flies off the circle.

This is where soft power comes into play.

Gradually narrow the lump so that it turns into a cone. In this case, the right hand presses harder, and the left hand supports.

Here in this picture you can see which parts of the hands are involved in centering.

Remember to remove excess water with a sponge.

If you have a large lump of clay, then you can also apply such a “super-capture” of pottery kung fu. The right hand is working, it rests with the elbow on the stomach, the left hand firmly holds the right hand, helping it not to react to the shocks of the clay. (Sometimes parents need to combine their efforts in education:) Slowly but surely, hands press on someone of clay, achieving the desired shape from him.

Another way is "fine processing". Fingers are involved here - they go from top to bottom and from bottom to top and, like a cutter on a lathe, remove all irregularities.

With your finger, you can cut off excess clay at the base.

Also, by running your finger along the entire height of the coma, you can check how well it is centered, if there is any beating. If the finger bounces in some areas, then you need to trim it a little more.

This is how the cone should look like.

Now our cone needs to be lowered - flattened to make a "stump" (or "fungus"). The right hand - the working one - presses from above, the left holds the shape. At the same time, the pads of the palm of the right hand adjoin to the side and also keep the clay from beating.

These are traces of clay during the "lowering" of clay.

View from above. The right hand passes through the center and covers half of the clay ball.

Slowly but surely we continue to give up (literally, not figuratively :).

This is how the "fungus" should turn out.

Sometimes one rise and fall is enough for a piece of clay to center well and wash out. But usually you need to do several such approaches and only then move on to the next stage.

That's all for now, good luck with your pottery! And see you on the air!

Clay souvenirs are always in great demand. In addition, products that imitate antique kitchen utensils made of clay have recently become fashionable. To be engaged in the production of such products, it is necessary to master this ancient craft perfectly. You will learn how to turn pottery for beginners into a profitable promising business from this article.

Education

Beginners often wonder where to learn pottery in order to gain the necessary skills and knowledge. Useful information can be gleaned from books and other specialized literature. In addition, many sites on the Internet have free video pottery lessons for beginners.

The easiest and at the same time effective way to help you quickly master this craft is to learn from a master. Such lessons will cost you about 1 thousand rubles for 1 hour of classes. But this is the best way to learn, which will allow you to learn the production process from the inside. For 2 months of classes in special courses, you will pay 10-15 thousand rubles. After completing such courses, it is hardly possible to become a master. But, nevertheless, you will be well versed in pottery.

In principle, even those people who have never encountered pottery can open such a business. It is enough to understand the technology for the production of ceramic products, draw up a business plan for a pottery workshop and hire several experienced craftsmen. If you manage to properly organize this business, it will develop successfully and bring you excellent profits.

Many beginners doubt, ? If you want to get financial independence, try, experiment and you will definitely succeed. A crisis is the best time to start a new business, so cast aside all doubts and get to work.

Business registration

Before you start pottery, you need to register an IP. Such activities fall under OKVED 26.21. This category allows you to engage in the production of various ceramic products, ranging from souvenirs to household products. If you also plan to make clay toys, you need to add the OKVED code 36.50. To reduce taxes and insurance payments, it is better to choose a simplified taxation system.

Workshop space and equipment

After you complete all the necessary documents, you can proceed directly to the organization of the pottery workshop. First of all, you need to rent a suitable room. It is desirable that it consists of two rooms. One of them will be equipped as a workshop, and the second one will be used as a warehouse for finished products. The area of ​​the room should be at least 40-50 square meters. meters.

At first, it is enough to buy:

• Potter's wheel;
• Device for kneading clay;
• Scales;
• Forms;
• Furnace for roasting finished products;
• In addition, you will need shelving with shelves for storing finished products.

Kilns for roasting are presented on the market in a wide range. They can be electric, gas or solid fuel. Such equipment can be made with your own hands, but in home-made furnaces it is almost impossible to achieve uniformity and high quality firing.

Business Features

It is most profitable to open a pottery workshop in resort towns, which are often visited by tourists from different countries. In this case, your products will be in demand in the market. Of course, before starting work, you need to carefully analyze the market and study the level of competition. Many domestic manufacturers cannot compete with cheap Chinese products. But after all, this is a mass product that is not as interesting to consumers as individual developments. If you produce exclusive quality products, the demand for them will only grow.

When developing an assortment, you need to take into account that each region of the country has its own traditions and customs. You must learn to reflect them in ceramic products and their paintings. In this case, Chinese manufacturers will not be able to repeat your masterpieces. At first, you should not greatly expand the range. Limit yourself to the production of decorative and household utensils, souvenir magnets, vases and various pots. You should also not forget about such a profitable line of activity as holding master classes. Pottery is a profitable and quite promising business.

Raw material

Finding clay for pottery is not difficult. Using different processing methods, even raw materials of poor quality can be brought back to normal. Usually clay lies under a small layer of earth, so you can extract it even on your own personal plot. But it is best to use clean, homogeneous material for sculpting.

To determine the suitability of raw materials, you need to roll a small bundle from moistened clay, as thick as a finger. After that, bend the tourniquet in half and check the bend for cracks. If there are few of them, you can safely use the material for modeling.

In order for the business to flourish, you need to find proven suppliers of raw materials. Sometimes even reliable partners fail and supply low-quality material. Therefore, pay special attention to this important point. Another option where you can buy clay for pottery is the Internet. Here you can find raw materials of any quality at affordable prices. In addition, as mentioned above, you can get clay for modeling on your own. In this case, you will open, because you can significantly reduce the cost of production.

Technological process

The production of pottery is one of the most.

Such products can be made in different ways:

• Free modeling. Various figurines, whistles and pots are molded from prepared clay;
• Free formation is performed using a potter's wheel;
• For plastic molding by hand, plaster molds are used.

For the manufacture of complex ceramic products, several molding methods are usually combined. To give the product an elegant look, it is treated with solutions of gold or silver, they use picturesque decoration with heat-resistant paints or the thinnest transparent film that shimmers in different colors. A very beautiful decoration is obtained from small pieces of colored glass. They are applied to the surface in the right places and the product is fired. Under the influence of high temperatures, the glass melts and spreads over the surface of the product, creating intricate patterns. You can create amazing original products from clay. A pottery workshop is enough, because the demand for ceramic products does not fall even during a crisis.

Sales of finished products

In order for pottery as a business to bring good profit, you need to find reliable distribution channels. Advertising will help you with this, as well as participation in art exhibitions and fairs. Entrepreneurs who work in large cities can sell finished products to souvenir shops located at airports and train stations, shopping centers, flower shops and other commercial enterprises.

If you are doing pottery at home, you can use another effective way that allows you to sell products in large volumes - this is the Internet. To organize online trading, it is enough to create your own online store. You can also find potential customers using auction sites.

Experienced businessmen advise beginners to take part in exhibitions and fairs as often as possible. Of course, transportation costs, entry fees and rental of exhibition equipment will significantly reduce your profits. But such social events will help you attract potential customers to your products.

Pay attention to the fact that the stand with your products is installed in a walk-through, well-lit place. Create a pleasant, friendly environment, offer customers products in different price ranges - all this attracts people and increases sales. Don't forget to order business cards to hand out to clients. Many visitors to the exhibition do not make purchases immediately. They select the appropriate options, after which they contact the seller and place a large order.

Video: Making a simple pot mold

Business development

In addition to selling finished products, you can organize pottery training for beginners. Training courses or master classes, with the right approach, can become a fairly profitable line of business. Many people are interested in this kind of art, so they dream of learning pottery. The miraculous transformation of an ordinary piece of clay and an original jug or vase is a real pleasure. Therefore, there will be many who want to master this skill.

Recently, psychologists often recommend pottery therapy to their patients as one of the most effective methods in the treatment of severe depression. Plus, pottery is a great option for people who can't find one. By the way, many companies offer master classes at customers' homes. This service is often ordered by schools and kindergartens.

* Calculations use average data for Russia

So, if you are planning to open your own production of ceramic products, but at the same time do not have sufficient funds to organize a full-scale enterprise, you can start with a pottery workshop. Currently, this direction is of great interest to entrepreneurs. Experts note the growing interest in this area. Moreover, consumers are interested not only in handmade pottery, but also in the process of their manufacture as an original hobby.

Whether you're going to make do with your savings or plan to attract investors, make sure you have a detailed business plan before you start tackling organizational issues. Of course, ideally you should be well versed in all the intricacies of this craft. But even if you have no experience in this area, but it is of interest to you, you should not give up your idea. In this case, you will act not as a master, but as an organizer and leader. But in any case, you should have at least a general idea about the process of making ceramic products.

First of all, you will need a suitable room. It can also be located far from the city center. The main thing is that it is convenient for you and your employees to get there. Most pottery workshops are opened either on the outskirts of the city (or even in the suburbs), or even in the region. But the latter option is suitable for larger enterprises that save on the delivery of raw materials by locating their production close to the clay extraction site.

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There are certain requirements for the area of ​​the workshop. It must consist of at least two rooms. The first area of ​​at least 50 square meters. meters is allocated for the production workshop, and the second with an area of ​​20 square meters. meters is used to store raw materials and finished products. The work area must be equipped with a good ventilation system. It is best if your workshop has one more separate, third room, where the glazing of products will take place. The glaze contains lead and other harmful substances, so you need to work with it in compliance with safety regulations and using respirators. Ideally, the premises should be your own. But if there is none, then you will have to rent a suitable one for several months. The rental price will be from 35 thousand rubles (the exact amount depends on the region, location, area and condition of the premises).

When a suitable room is found, you can start searching for equipment. There are a lot of nuances here, so if you are not a specialist in pottery, seek help from one. Otherwise, there is a great risk of acquiring not what you need.

The main equipment includes potter's wheels, equipment for kneading clay, scales for dosing clay mass, molds for products (for example, for making magnets, photo frames and other small items), tools and special kilns for firing finished products. You will also need work tables and chairs for potters, racks, shelves and cabinets for storing products and raw materials. The set of tools for pottery includes stacks, strings with handles, rolling pins, knives, compasses and calipers, spoons, potter's knives, etc. One potter's wheel will cost from 30 thousand to 50 thousand rubles. A machine for kneading clay costs about 30 thousand rubles. Another 5-7 thousand rubles will be required for the purchase of scales and about 5 thousand rubles for tools.

Some craftsmen make a muffle furnace with a heating temperature of up to 950 ° C on their own from a household electric stove. To do this, a case is made from a steel sheet with a thickness of 0.5-0.9 mm according to the diameter of the electric stove, and a lid is attached on top by drilling several holes in it for steam to escape. The muffle bowl is made as follows. First, a mold is made of cardboard, which is impregnated with paraffin or wax. A clay mass is applied to the inner surface of the mold with a layer of 1 cm. After drying, the clay cup is separated from the mold, dried again and fired. Its lower part should fit snugly against the electric stove. The finished muffle cup is placed in the housing. The space between the muffle and the body is filled with asbestos chips. To control the firing process, a peephole with a diameter of 20-25 mm is made with a shutter. The structure itself is installed on an asbestos base.

However, it is still better not to take risks and purchase muffle furnaces. The cost of one furnace is from 50 thousand to 100 thousand rubles. Even in the case of a small workshop, it is desirable to have at least two or three ovens.

The purchase of the first batch of raw materials, impurities, glazes, paints, etc. will require about 50 thousand rubles. In a small workshop of about 50 sq. meters three masters can work simultaneously. The salary of each of them starts from 10-15 thousand rubles, depending on the region, employment, qualifications, etc.

Ready-made ideas for your business

The income of the pottery workshop consists of two components - the sale of the pottery itself and making them to order, as well as conducting paid master classes, excursions, renting out the working premises and equipment. The wholesale cost of a simple item made of clay made by stamping (for example, a magnet) starts from 60-70 rubles at a cost of 25-30 rubles. At the same time, such magnets are sold at retail at a price of about 170-190 rubles. A visit to a master class with learning the basics of working with a potter's wheel costs from 350 rubles per person. The average number of participants in one master class is five to six people. The cost of renting a pottery workshop, along with all the necessary equipment, starts from 1000 rubles and more. Of course, you can make money on training and renting a workshop only if it is located in a large city, where there is practically no competition in this area and there is an interest on the part of people in pottery. You can sell finished products through small wholesale companies (as production volumes increase, you can think about large wholesale), through retail chains, individual stores (florists, toys, souvenir and gift shops), retail outlets and stalls (including souvenir shops in shopping malls). city ​​centers, train stations and airports), points in the markets, through their own shop at the workshop, as well as through online stores (but this option is only suitable for selling small souvenirs). The dream of all small manufacturers of souvenirs is to become a supplier of large Russian retail chains. Clay souvenirs are original and in demand, and there is no competition at the federal level. But for cooperation with retail chains, the minimum lot of goods must be at least a thousand pieces of the same name, which is quite a large amount for a small workshop, even if we are talking about small things, like stamped magnets. Another difficulty is related to the specifics of any semi-handicraft production, which include unstable product quality and non-compliance with delivery times.

Even if there is almost no competition in this segment in your city, you should not forget about advertising and, most importantly, the high quality of your products. Advertising will help attract the attention of those wishing to master the art of clay modeling. And the high quality and original design of your products will be the key to success among potential buyers.

To open a small pottery workshop, it will take from 250 thousand rubles. The payback period for this type of business is one year.

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Is pottery a promising business? This craft opens up opportunities for creativity, learning and earning. Its history goes deep into the millennia: many centuries ago, people molded vessels and pots from clay, decorated them with carvings and glaze. The mass production of tableware in the 21st century has shifted pottery into an entertainment industry. We tell you what the technology of pottery production is, what materials are used for production and what you can earn on.

History of pottery

Pottery production has been known since ancient times. This craft created the necessary containers and vessels in everyday life. The main material for it is clay. The story began with manual production: a craftsman sculpted a product from a piece of clay, and then fired it in a kiln or dried it in the sun (in hot countries). However, quite a long time ago, at the beginning of the first millennium, a potter's wheel appeared - a machine tool that, with the help of rotational force, gives products an even symmetrical shape. In addition to the beauty of the vessels, this device ensures a higher production speed.

In addition to making pottery, potters produced bricks, tiles, drainage pipes, and even architectural decorations. Interestingly, in the Middle Ages, earthenware vessels were invented to improve the acoustics of temples: they were immured into the walls. These can be seen in Novgorod, Pskov and Moscow.

Russian pottery masters also worked with their hands and in circles, creating items that were in demand and needed in everyday life. This skill was not rare: in every family there were people who were able to make the necessary vessel. From the end of the 19th century, factory-made dishes were replaced by factory-made ones, and pottery moved from the sphere of vital skills to the field of folk art and hobbies.

Pottery - making pottery, various vessels, toys and even architectural elements from clay

Pottery materials

The main material for pottery is clay. A special potted variety is considered optimal for the manufacture of vessels, although there can be quite a lot of options for the composition of the clay mass. They are divided into dense (porcelain, biscuit, parian) and porous (faience, terracotta). Clay may contain quartz and gypsum. These components make products more durable.

Most often, finished products, but after firing, are painted with glaze. The goals are not only decorative, but also practical: the paint does not allow moisture to penetrate into the product and destroy it. There are several ways to apply glaze: etching, sprinkling, dousing or hand-painting.

Production technologies

Pottery for beginners at home is quite a feasible task, although working in a special workshop is much more convenient. The reason for the simplicity of this work lies in its antiquity: initially people worked by hand or with the help of very simple devices, and the modeling skill itself was very massive.

The manufacture of the product begins with the preparation of the clay mass. The quality of the vessel depends on its quality and features. The so-called pot clay is usually used, its composition is considered optimal. The uniformity and density of the mass is important. Now such material can be easily bought in hobby stores. Harvesting clay on your own is problematic: you need to find a good place, collect material, clean it from pebbles and impurities.

When the mass is ready, you can start molding or sculpting. Some types of products are made in forms and frames, vessels are formed on a potter's wheel, figurines and whistles are molded by hand. This can be a creative or purely mechanical process, depending on the wishes and goals of the master.

Burning

The formed product must be fired so that it retains a stable shape. Clay is fired at very high temperatures - from 1000 degrees. For a different composition of the mass, a certain temperature is required:

• clay - 1000–1200 degrees;
• ceramics - 1100–1300 degrees;
• porcelain - 1200–1400 degrees.

Difficulties can arise with low-quality compositions. For example, there are examples when purchased powdered clay boiled already at a temperature of 750 degrees and the product deteriorated. Therefore, the choice of raw materials must be treated very carefully, check the manufacturers so as not to waste time and money.

It is advisable to use gas or electric ovens: they are easier to manage, soot and soot do not form in them, which spoil the surface of the products. The atmosphere in the kiln during firing also affects the appearance of the vessels and figurines. For example, you can cause clay to oxidize and give it a more brownish tint.

The basis of the workshop is the potter's wheel

Glaze application

Glaze is a glassy coating of clay products. Its purpose is not only decorative. First of all, glaze is necessary to protect the product from moisture, which can get into its structure and destroy it. The protective coating is applied during or after firing. The basis of such a coating are quartz, kaolin and feldspar. To make the glaze colored, oxides and metal salts are added to the composition.

Methods for applying glaze to pottery:

• pulverization;
• spatter;
• dipping;
• watering;
• plugging;
• brush painting.

When staining, defects sometimes occur, such as bubbles or cracks. The pottery maker must anticipate their causes and prevent them. To do this, you need to monitor the uniformity of application, grinding raw materials for glaze and choose the right temperature for firing.

Necessary equipment

The basis of the workshop is a potter's wheel. This device is quite familiar to everyone: a rotating device that allows you to form symmetrical volumetric products. There are several varieties:

• manual (set in motion with one hand, and you need to work on the workpiece with the other hand);
• mechanical foot (rotation force is provided by the legs, both hands are free to work);
• electric (the most common now, rotation provides electric current, the master works only on the product).

For business, especially if you plan to conduct training in pottery, you need an electric circle. A compact machine can be purchased for 30 thousand rubles, a more professional one - for 45 thousand. The rotating part of the circle is called the turnstile. One turnstile is always included with the circle, but you can buy additional ones, for example, large and smaller sizes.

In addition to the potter's wheel, a muffle furnace is needed: it is able to heat up to a certain high temperature (up to 1400 degrees) and maintain this temperature for the required period of time. You can buy a pottery oven for an average of 30-40 thousand rubles, but it is better to lay a larger amount - in the region of 100 thousand rubles. The firing time depends on the material and volume of the product. Sometimes it is required to fire clay 2-3 times for glazing.

What can you make money on

Pottery is now more of a folk craft than a method of production. A master working on a potter's wheel will not be able to compete in terms of production with industrial enterprises. And the quality of his products is likely to be inferior.

An option to earn money in pottery is the manufacture of decorative toys, whistles, bells. They are sold in museums, souvenir shops, tourist shops.

The most promising in terms of income is a master class in pottery. The opportunity to try yourself in a new role, work with your hands, make a memorable souvenir or a useful thing in the household attracts many. Such lessons are enjoyed by children and adults. You can organize pottery courses only if the entrepreneur already has skills in this craft (otherwise, teaching people will not work).

Let's consider each option in a little more detail.

There are several options for making money in pottery, one of which is training.

Pottery

The sale of pottery - dishes, household vessels, as well as decorative figurines and whistles - can generate income. Such souvenirs are not mass-produced, although the demand among tourists for them is quite high. If you manage to find distribution channels in this direction, you can make a profit during the spring-summer season and the New Year holidays.

You should not expect big money: one figurine is sold for an average of 100-150 rubles at a cost of up to 30 rubles. If you make 500 pieces, you can earn 75,000 rubles. The downside of this method is that creating such souvenirs is not as easy as it seems at first glance. We need accuracy, pleasant colors and original ideas.

Another idea is to sell dishes and vases over the Internet. The tendency to use only natural materials in the interior will work in favor of the master. If you take beautiful pictures of the products, tell more about them and maintain pages regularly, you can find many customers.

Master classes for children

Another more profitable direction is master classes for children. Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other cities have already joined this work. The advantage is that the audience of potential visitors is simply huge, and special knowledge is not needed to conduct children's master classes. Experiences are important for children, not knowledge and skills. Often these classes are attended by families.

Classes are held in small groups and last an average of 1.5 hours. Children are told a brief history of pottery, show finished products and learn how to work with clay. This is an easy and enjoyable job. The only negative is the cost: you need to rent a large room, renovate it, put up furniture and buy a few potter's wheels. One oven is enough. It is also necessary to develop training programs and provide for variability for different ages.

Education

You can also earn on more advanced training. Some people are really interested in mastering pottery at an advanced level. Perhaps they plan to earn money later on or build a business, so they are ready to pay for the lessons. This direction of work should be combined with children's master classes and independent production.

Not quite the usual option - books. If the master has already accumulated solid work experience and knows the craft well, you can try to write a tutorial and publish it in a small edition.

Many are willing to pay to learn how to work on a potter's wheel and make their own dishes.

Financial investments and payback

An average of 150 thousand rubles will have to be spent on equipment for the workshop: an oven and a potter's wheel. Working tools like thread, modeling kits - another 10 thousand rubles. Raw materials for several months of work - approximately 30 thousand.

Suppose an entrepreneur plans not only to produce on his own, but also to train other people. Then there will be more costs: several potter's wheels, rent and repair of premises, more tools and raw materials, as well as advertising. All this can be put on average in 500 thousand rubles. The total cost of starting a business will be 800 thousand rubles.

We found out that you can earn about 75 thousand rubles per season by selling products. Master classes should bring the bulk of the income. A 1.5-hour lesson costs from 500 rubles, groups - 10-12 people. If you conduct 4 classes a week in fully loaded groups, you can earn 24 thousand rubles in a week, and 96 thousand in a month.

It is quite possible to earn at the level of 100 thousand rubles a month in your own pottery workshop. Taking into account the purchase of consumables, payment of rent and utilities, it is possible to recoup all investments within 8-12 months of active work.

Few people can imagine that on such trifles as figurines, photo albums, watches, fridge magnets, pots and vases, you can earn quite impressive money.

However, this is true. In Russia, the souvenir trade brings a very tangible profit, and the forecasts for the further development of this business are very optimistic. It turns out that your own pottery workshop is quite capable of bringing you a stable and considerable income.

Business organization

If you decide to organize your own business, you must understand that there are certain subtleties. A pottery workshop can be opened with as little as $10,000, which can be considered not that much of an investment. You will need to find a room, the area of ​​\u200b\u200bwhich should be 50-80 square meters.

If you are interested in how to equip a pottery workshop in a private house, then you should understand that with such a free area, this is already quite realistic. You will also need a small warehouse where finished products will be stored. It is also necessary to purchase some equipment, namely: scales, with which the clay mass will be accurately dosed, a kiln for firing products, a potter's wheel, and a kneading machine. To create photo frames and fridge magnets, you will need to stock up on a variety of molds.

Peculiarities

If you are interested in a pottery workshop, then you should know that the production technology is not too complicated, as it might seem at first glance. First, clay is kneaded, while for each type of product it can be of different varieties - red, white, with impurities of limestone, sand and other things. After kneading, clay is laid out in a potter's wheel, in molds or on a stucco board. After the product dries, it is sent to the oven.

So, when compiling a business plan for a pottery workshop, you should understand that organizing a business alone will not work. You must have skilled workers. It is not at all necessary to look for professionals, it is important that everyone has their own responsibilities and scope of work. It usually takes about two hours to make one pot.

The financial side of the issue

Naturally, a pottery workshop requires certain financial investments. As already noted, they are necessary for renting premises and purchasing equipment and tools for work. As the business develops, it will be possible to purchase new molds in order to master the manufacture of other products.

Technology of pottery production

To make a product from clay, it must first be kneaded. For different products, you can use different types of raw materials, which will affect their quality. The next step is the formation process. For this, molds, a potter's wheel and a stucco board are used. After completion of the formation, it is required to dry the product, and then subject it to firing. It is important to know the process well. Due to poor quality molding or incorrect determination of the initial drying time, it may turn out that 20-30% of your products will be defective.

Organization of the production process

So, if you already have equipment for a ceramic workshop, and it is located indoors, then you should know that you should not take on the production process alone. You will need several specialists with the help of which it will be possible to organize and establish a continuous production process. These should not be super-masters, since it is important for you to develop the business, and not to make competitors.

Each of them must take on their own area of ​​work. The first kneads the clay, which will also require a clay mixing machine, the second forms future products, and the task of the third will be firing. When each of them achieves due professionalism in their operation, their joint work will lead to a high quality of work.

One pot is made in about 2 hours, while kneading and shaping take 10 minutes each, and firing makes up the rest of the time.

Sources of income

So, the pottery workshop should generate income. And for what? Molded clay products always find their buyer. However, it is not always easy to negotiate with representatives of supermarkets or owners of souvenir shops. There may be a variety of overheads in the form of kickbacks.

In addition, the conditions for the sale of products are not always favorable for the supplier. In the event that a batch of goods of one name exceeds a thousand pieces, you can try to become a supplier for the Russian souvenir network. If the product is sold to a small store, then its volume should be less.

If you have a pottery workshop, then you can open training courses on its basis. A lot of people are willing to pay for such an activity to take a break from their daily lives. When you can attract people and get them interested in pottery, then gradually you can think about organizing refresher courses.

Further, it will be necessary to hold various competitions, exhibitions, competitions. However, for such a school of pottery, additional costs will be required. Classes must be organized in a room located within the reach of public transport. Students will need additional materials and equipment.

The owner of a pottery workshop may well be interested in another source of income - this is the manufacture of clay products to order. It is quite possible that you will receive an order for the interior design of the premises, which is considered a great success: it can be the interior of a restaurant, theater, bar, country house.

Perfect option

The workshop is working on the production of large batches of pottery, which is sold to supermarkets and wholesalers. The school is continuously engaged in training and conducts mastery courses. Separately, the production of new goods in small batches works. And the entrepreneur always controls the quality of products and monitors all processes. If a person is busy with his own business, which he loves, all this is quite possible. This is what an ideal pottery workshop should be like.