How to Sell Homemade Pottery

Once you've become a skilled potter, you are ready to sell your goods! In the world of art, there can be lots of competition. Be sure to properly prepare for selling homemade pottery and you can gain an edge over the competition.

Things You'll Need

• Glaze or other decorative adornments
• Record or journal
• Price tag stickers
• Pottery

Instructions

Prep Your Pottery for Sale

1. Glaze it. The glaze or coating is often what attracts buyers most. Create unusual colors and textures and even consider offering one piece in a variety of glazes.

2. Add handles. Handles are beautiful and functional accents that can make your piece more eye-catching.

3. Keep a record of each piece you own. Know the type of clay used, the process of the glaze application and the method used (pottery wheel, for example) in creating each piece.

4. Decorate it with as much handwork as possible. Most art buyers are looking for unusual techniques, extensive handwork or any other unique elements which make a piece truly artistic.

5. Attach prices to the bottom or other hidden areas of your pottery. This creates a nicer presentation and prices can usually be attached using small stickers.

6. Study the competition in your local area. Know who the other artists are, how much they charge and even who their customer base is.

Sell Your Homemade Pottery

1. Start a home business selling homemade crafts like pottery. You can formalize the business by getting a tax identification number from the government.

2. Set up booths at craft fairs. Fairs usually travel and have the ability to attract a large, captive audience from within different regions.

3. Talk to local home decor and furniture stores. Accent pieces like homemade pottery are often more appreciated by other local business owners looking for neighborhood artists to sell within their stores.

4. Photograph your pottery and put the photos on the Internet. Sites like eBay draw large amounts of visitors daily.

5. Advertise your abilities. Place ads in local magazines or newsletters geared at the artists' community.

6. Consider taking custom orders. Although it can be more challenging to work within someone else's specifications, many potters find a greater customer base this way since custom work is hard to locate.

7. Enter a judged art show. These shows attract prominent artists and dealers who can help you sell your homemade pottery.

Tips & Warnings

• Local stores usually have two methods for selling your wares. They consign your piece or house it until it sells, paying you once it has been bought, or they may simply buy it outright.