Does Size Make A Difference?

Recently I’ve been working on projects big and small. It has me thinking about how this affects the pricing of a finished piece I create. Although the amount of clay that goes into each one is a material factor and obviously proportional to their finished size, creative time and artistic effort are important to the end price calculation too. Here’s where it gets tricky. I may spend just as much or more time creating something that measures just a few inches as a large piece that stands over a foot.

This sugar/creamer set I started this week is much smaller in scale to the three planters I made. The set consists of eight separate parts joined together. Just because it is smaller in size doesn't necessarily mean it should be priced less than a large piece.

“How long did it take you to make that?” is a recurring question I get asked. Time is one more factor that helps calculate the end value of a piece of art. But it can be deceiving too. As an artist’s skills grow (another valuable attribute), the time it takes to complete a project may decrease. The original prototype of a particular clay shape takes me the longest to create. Once I’m satisfied and have made a template of the shape, I can recreate the original more efficiently.

Sometimes I create a texture just for one specific project. This is one more factor to consider in the end price.

Back to my opening question, “how does size factor into the creation process”? Furthermore, does/should the size influence the price of an item? I know clay artists that charge a set price based on the finished weight of their pieces. They have calculated a per ounce or per pound number and are comfortable going with that method. The larger the piece is, the pricier the item.

The prototype of these little holiday tags is complete. I'll sell them in sets. They can be used to decorate a gift with a handwritten personal message on the back. The recipient can treasure this keepsake for years to come! Now I'm working on how to package them. It's one more factor that goes into completion before I sell and influences the end price. 

I haven’t been able to reconcile the weight method for my clay art. When I price each piece I create, I do think about its size, the time it took to create, my creative effort, packaging, and finally factor in its perceived value. Size does make a difference, but it is not the only one of the factors of the end calculation.

RFP = Request For Pottery!

Just yesterday I heard from a longtime friend asking if I could make her a replica of a platter she bought from me more than ten years ago at an open studio sale. She told me it’s still her go-to serving tray when she cooks Salmon. I like hearing that! She asked if I could make a duplicate for a friend who’d raved about it at a recent dinner party. I said of course!

Accidents happen! I'm working on a canister to replace this particular baking mishap!

It’s been one of those weeks where requests for pottery have been front and center. Friends and customers have been asking me to make specific pieces for them. These custom requests are welcome. Some, like the long oval platter, are items I haven’t made in awhile so I get to revisit a shape and technique from past. Other forms, like the canister pictured here are best when made to order so the size and shape will fulfill a specific need.

Other requests challenge me to create something totally new! One friend asked if I could make some sort of paper towel holder out of clay similar to one she'd seen in metal. I love this idea and am developing several shapes to keep paper towels easily accessible. Do you have any ideas of shapes you'd like to see? Click on the photo above to make a suggestion!

Some requests require specific dimensions to fulfill a useful purpose. I've been asked to make a set of planters to surround the spa area of a Hilton Head backyard. These herb pots are the starting point of the design that will be tweaked to fulfill the customer's specific size and color requests!

When I look back at photos of studio sales from the past (this is from 2004), I can see the progression of my clay style and the shapes I've revisited and revised over the years.

What can I make for you? Do you have a request for pottery I can fulfill? Click here to begin our conversation! I can make something you've seen in my inventory from the past, or we can create something totally new! I'm looking forward to hearing from you.