The Pin Tool Podcast | Pottery | Ceramics | Small Business

Calm isn't a personality trait you either have or don't. It's a learned response, and you build it by having a system before the crisis hits. These are actual steps I'm taking right now at Creek Road Pottery to build something more resilient. In this episode, Alford Wayman walks through the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle as a studio practice, not a management seminar concept. PDCA came out of industrial quality control, places where the same failure costs thousands of dollars, wasted time, wasted raw materials, and effort loss.Links: Creek Road Pottery shop: https://www.creekroadpottery.com/shop The Pottery Dailies: https://www.thepotterydailies.substack.com My Pottery Firings: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CDZ2D6ZQ My Pottery Journal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CDNMNRX7 My Pottery Projects: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CD164HJK

Welcome back to The Pin Tool Podcast, where we dive deep into the craft, philosophy, and business of making pottery that matters. I’m your host, Alford Wayman, and today, we’re bringing together the wisdom of the 12 Steps and The Artist’s Way —applying them directly to the life of an artist, a maker, and a business owner. We’ll talk with my A.I. bot Project Planner, Amelia, about taking creative Risks. Whether you’re at the wheel, in the studio, or just reflecting on your creative journey, this episode will give you suggestions on taking creative risks and why risk is important. Send your submission for the mug giveaway to creekroadpottery@gmail.com The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-25th-Anniversary/dp/0143129252My Pottery Journal, by Alford Waymanhttps://www.amazon.com/My-Pottery-Journal-Alford-Wayman/dp/B0CDNMNRX7The Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/The Creek Road Pottery LLC Blog:https://creekroadpottery.com/blog/

Welcome to "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art and life intersect. I’m your host, Alford Wayman of Creek Road Pottery LLC. This episode explores the challenges of reduction firings, show prep, and how the Creek Road Pottery Spring Show 2025 went. Website: https://creekroadpottery.comThe Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/

Welcome back to The Pin Tool Podcast, where we dive deep into the craft, philosophy, and business of making pottery that matters. I’m your host, Alford Wayman, and today; we’re exploring a powerful framework that blends creative recovery, mental resilience, and business strategy. If you've ever felt stuck in your art—whether creatively, emotionally, or even in the way you run your business—this episode is for you. We’re bringing together the wisdom of the 12 Steps and The Artist’s Way —applying them directly to the life of an artist, a maker, and a business owner. We’ll talk about how to overcome creative blocks, build resilience, and structure our work so that it’s meaningful and sustainable. Whether you’re at the wheel, in the studio, or just reflecting on your creative journey, this episode will give you practical steps to push forward with confidence and purpose. So grab your pin tool, settle in, and let’s shape something together—starting with the mindset that fuels it all. Let’s dive in!The Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/The Creek Road Pottery LLC Blog:https://creekroadpottery.com/blog/

Welcome to "The Pin Tool Podcast," where creativity meets organization. I’m your host, Alford Wayman of Creek Road Pottery LLC. In this episode, I have a discussion with my virtual assistant, Amelia, an Artificial Intelligence Chatbot, on the tools that help us stay productive—planners and Google Calendar. Whether you’re managing a pottery studio, balancing creative projects, or just trying to keep your life on track, having the right systems in place makes all the difference. Join me as we explore how these tools can help you plan your days, set priorities, and stay focused on what matters most. 40 Chat GPT- Prompts for Pottery https://creekroadpottery.com/40-chat-gpt-prompts-for-pottery/ Website: https://creekroadpottery.comThe Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/

Welcome to "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art and life intersect. I’m your host, Alford Wayman of Creek Road Pottery LLC. In this episode, we explore the challenges of staying focused amid distractions, the importance of taking responsibility for both successes and failures, and the need for empathy and collaboration, especially in shared creative and political spaces. Whether in the pottery studio or in the larger community, it’s crucial to learn from mistakes, take ownership, and work together toward positive change. Website: https://creekroadpottery.comThe Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/The Back Road Christmas Trailhttps://www.facebook.com/thebackroadchristmastrail

Welcome to "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art and life intersect. I’m your host, Alford Wayman of Creek Road Pottery LLC. Today, we talk about a quiet moment of connection at a rainy Sunday market, capturing the value of showing up, even when the weather and conditions aren’t ideal. Through a chance encounter with a single customer, meaningful exchanges are often worth more than any sale, and the impact of our creative work can ripple beyond the moment. Why Showing Up Matters https://thepotterydailies.substack.com/p/why-showing-up-matters Website: https://creekroadpottery.com/The Pottery Dailies:https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-dailies/The Creek Road Pottery LLC Blog:https://creekroadpottery.com/blog/