Lindsey and Donte chat with Sue McLeod, a giant in the online ceramics education world. There’s talk of transitioning to full time ceramic work, creating a marketing approach that meets your needs, and how non science majors can experience an inviting approach to glaze chemistry. Donte also finally gets to ask Sue his burning questions about iron oxide… There’s talk of how Ben got into clay and podcasting, how he’s made his career work for his mental and financial health, and why it’s important to “look at the footnotes”.  What has your exposure been to glaze chemistry? Are you good to go ..read more

Lindsey and Donte chat with Ben Carter – host of Tales of a Red Clay Rambler, founder of The Brickyard Network, and general artist and podcaster extraordinaire! There’s talk of how Ben got into clay and podcasting, how he’s made his career work for his mental and financial health, and why it’s important to “look at the footnotes”.  Plus, some of the most inspiring advice you could ask for. Mentions: Winnie Owens-Hart: Her book is forthcoming, but not yet available for purchase Patty Warashina Find Ben and his work: Visit his website carterpottery.com Follow @carterpottery (and @historyofc ..read more

Lindsey and Donte return after a break for the first episode of 2025! They chat about the highlights and lessons learned from 2024, as well as what 2025 has in store. There’s talk of changing work/life balances, glaze development, new classes, new glazes, the upcoming NCECA clay convention, and how to bring a little bit of Star Wars energy into your life. What’s one success you can celebrate from 2024, big or small? Let us know in the comments (if you're listening via Youtube) or send us a message on the socials! ***Resources for resistance and survival in the Trump administration*** FOLLOW Bl ..read more

Lindsey and Donte chat about their experiences working with local businesses as another way to get their work out there. From pros and cons to best practices, these mud peddlers hope their stories will help you decide whether and how to tap into this part of your local creative economy. Have you ever sold your work through a local business? What’s some advice you might share with someone thinking about doing the same? Let us know in the comments (for those of you listening via Youtube) or send us a message on the socials! _____ About Your Hosts Lindsey M Dillon is an award-winning professional ..read more

Lindsey and Donte put together a list to help out with holiday gifts for clay people– whether you have a clay person in your life, or you are the clay person in your life. From classic quality-of-life picks to some potentially surprising suggestions, these mud peddlers hope you can find some inspiration in this holiday medley. What’s one of the most helpful gifts you’ve ever received, ceramics-related or otherwise? _____ About Your Hosts Lindsey M Dillon is an award-winning professional ceramic artist who makes mugs and creature sculptures inspired by history, folklore, and geek culture. They ..read more

Lindsey and Donte do their best to define the tricky thing that is heatwork. What is it? What things affect it? Why is it making Lindsey crave cake? They also talk about a big business development for Donte. Curious for more information? Check out Sue McLeod’s blog about heatwork and pyrometric cones and Glazy’s article about heatwork:  https://suemcleodceramics.com/do-you-put-witness-cones-in-every-firing/ https://help.glazy.org/concepts/temperature/ *CORRECTION* In this episode, Donte and I talk about resources about heatwork on Digital Fire. While that website does have great informati ..read more

You may have heard me say I’ve been wanting to integrate more creative writing into my art practice. While this episode has nothing to do with ceramics, it is born from a love of writing and love of horror stoked by podcast The Magnus Archives. My eternal thanks to the incredible artists behind The Magus Archives not only for making an incredible show, but for being a light for artists in a world where creativity can easily succumb to darkness. I hope you enjoy this tribute, and if you’re a fan of horror, go listen to The Magnus Archives! https://rustyquill.com/show/the-magnus-archives/ This e ..read more

**Election Day is Nov. 5th! Go to Vote.gov to find your local polling place and do a democracy!** Lindsey and Donte discuss the many ways you can use sculpture to expand the way you decorate your functional ware (whether wheel-thrown or hand-built). There’s talk of clay types, sculptural techniques, and how you might avoid some common pitfalls – as well as some trickier territory like pursuing representative vs. abstract work and pushing yourself out of a creative rut. Do you incorporate sculptural elements into your functional work, or do you prefer more 2D surface decoration? Referenced Arti ..read more

**Do you have your voting plan? ^_^ Grab a buddy and participate in democracy together (then go get some ice cream or cake or some cheese, cuz you deserve it ;) ) Check your voter registration and find your polling place at Vote.gov** Lindsey and Donte introduce you to bentonite, a common ingredient in glaze-making.  From basic traits to baking analogies, these mud peddlers do their best to explain what bentonite is and what it does to your clay and glazes. What ingredient do you want to meet next? Tell us in the comments or tag us on the socials! **Do you have a voting plan? Grab a buddy ..read more

Lindsey and Donte again touch upon the topic of preparing for the holidays. In a more musing sequel to their 2020 episode on holiday prep, these two mud peddlers discuss their holiday shop update plans, where they focus their numbers on inventory when there’s multiple demands on their product, and changing perspectives on money-making and efficiency.  Is this your first time selling your work during the holidays? If you’re a holiday season veteran, what’s one piece of advice would you give to help a newcomer get through this crazy time of year? Tell us in the comments, or tag us on social ..read more