#makingslip

Sac City College:

Made Oli’s Casting Slip

Sodium silicate is a magical thing. Some tablespoon of it mixed in another tablespoon of water changed a chunky too-thick-for-the-griddle-pancake-mix texture into a smooth, viscous slip. Well, not completely, but I could see the process starting to happen. 

I’ll post the recipe for the casting slip. One day I’ll need to get a video of the remarkable transformation.

Interview with Manjar Ceramics:

It was awesome having the opportunity to chat with Alejandra. Both of us wished we’d had business training as part of our BA, so I’ve become increasingly convinced that these kinds of conversations -- asking other artists how they do what they do and handle the business of being an artist -- is necessary not only to fill that gap in our educations, but to build a community of artists sharing information and supporting each other. 

Alejandra was very forthcoming. She got her teaching credential and had been teaching ceramics full time at a high school before the stress of the bureaucracy forced a change in her life. Or rather, she made a step to make that change. She believes in “ceramics as a way of life”. You’re an artist all the time, not just putting on the metaphorical fancy beret for the two hours you’re in the studio. It takes a lot of time, a lot of effort. Thank god I’m not the only one who finds that hard to manage sometimes.

Some overall points:

There is a small business program offered through Sac City at their West Sac campus -- short, 1-unit classes that sound like they’d be helpful.

Online markets for indie stores are a place to sell, Midtown Sac has proved a good market for her work rather than more suburban areas.

Taxes *shriek*. Filing as an LLC protects your own assets from being sued, and you can also be a Sole Proprietor. Keep receipts for at least a year. 

If you get an Employee Identification Number, you can get discounts at some stores when you get supplies for the business.

Books to check out: Big Magic, How to Sell Like an Artist

App for receipt-tracking: Waves

App for mile-tracking: MileIQ

Home Studio: