[Sca-cooks] Update on my pottery serving and cookware project

[Dragon]

Stefan li Rous wrote:

>I still think the following, from that file, is something to think
>about before getting into merchanting.
><<< Date: Mon, 22 Feb 1999 00:37:04 -0600
>From: Roberta R Comstock <froggestow at juno.com>
>To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu
>Subject: Re: Arts/Crafts/Money
>
>A while back there was a pricing discussion on another list (Weavers
>Words - basketry list)
>in which one of the well-known published instructors was asked about how
>she prices a basket.
>
>She gave a price for a specific basket of, say $25.  When the potential
>buyer asked her how much it would cost for a dozen of them, all alike,
>the weaver said the cost would be $45 each, and probably higher yet for
>larger quantities.  The shopper was aghast, having hoped for a bulk rate
>deal.  But the weaver said the cost increase was based on how boring it
>is to do the same thing over and over and how much she would hate to
>spend the time doing so.
>
>It seemed perfectly reasonable to me!  Another reason I'm not a
>merchant.
>
>Hertha >>>
---------------- End original message. ---------------------

Oh believe me, I have no intention of turning myself into a full-time 
or even heavy part-time merchant.

I do the pottery because I enjoy it, when something stops being fun 
(because it has become work) I generally stop doing it. I've had 
numerous people over the years tell me I ought to open a restaurant 
but I won't do that because my art of cooking will then be work and 
it will sap the joy of it right out of me.

This is not to say that what I do for a living is not enjoyable to me 
(I am an engineer in case anyone is wondering) but what I do there is 
not something I would choose to do to while away my free time. I do 
get satisfaction and even pleasure out of the challenges and problems 
I have to solve in my professional life but it is not the same as the 
pleasure I get out of practicing my arts.

As for making the same thing over and over... I made a conscious 
decision early on in the process of learning pottery that I wanted to 
make each item I do a unique piece. Sure, I will make a bunch of cups 
and bowls and other things as I do this but I am not trying to make 
one piece look exactly like another I have done before. I will do 
pieces that are related in terms of form, color scheme and decoration 
because I do like the idea of things harmonizing with each other, but 
the idea of mass-produced identical sets does not appeal to me in the least.

If I get to the point of actually accepting a commission, these 
things will be spelled out plainly and without any doubt before I 
agree to do the work.





Dragon

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  Venimus, Saltavimus, Bibimus (et naribus canium capti sumus)
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