Me:
What exactly do you do with Marshfield Hills Pottery?
Jan:
Marshfield Hills Pottery has 2 components:
It is my personal art studio where I create art. I
make pottery that I sell at art fairs. I create sculptures that I exhibit. It is also a classroom where I teach kids,
teens, and adult pottery classes year round.
Me:
What inspired you to start your pottery business?
Jan:
I was the kid in high school who hung out in the art room. I went to school for
Art Education and minored in Ceramics. I have been a public school art teacher
for over 18 years. Creating art has been my passion for as long as I can remember,
and teaching enriches my life more than I can explain.
When we moved into this antique house 7 years ago, I
knew I wanted to convert the old horse barn into my studio. I was renting
studio space in another town and making a lot of pottery. I saved every dime
from every craft fair to finish the barn. I paid for the lumber, the
electricity, the plumbing, everything with money made from selling my art. I've
been open for a little over one year now and it feels like a huge
accomplishment having realized the dream through my own hard work.
Me:
What has been the the hardest part of this process for you?
Jan:
The hardest part is that I can't give MHP my full attention and it isn't
reaching it's full potential. Because I have a full-time job outside of my home,
and I have 2 children, I don't devote enough time to the business. I have
turned down opportunities to make money because I don't have the time.
Me:
What has been the most rewarding part?
Jan:
The most rewarding part is the positive responses I get from students who take
my classes. It's great when you receive affirmation that you're good at what
you do.
It's also pretty great to not have to rent studio
space and drive 20 minutes each way to get there. I literally walk out of my
kitchen and I'm in my own space.
Me:
If you could do anything differently, what would you do and why?
Jan:
If I could do something different it would be to have a person who runs the
business aspect of MHP for me. Admittedly, I'm not good at it. I don't market
myself well, or advertise effectively and I am terrible at answering e-mails in
a timely fashion. It all goes back to not having enough hours in the day. I
wish I could afford to hire an employee to fill up my classes, market,
advertise, and make my sales. That way I could just make art and teach classes
and not have to worry about those tasks.
Me:
How did you get started?
Jan: I think I answered this in question two. To
expand a little...I couldn't have pulled any of this off without my husband's
support. He worked so hard in that barn to make MHP a reality. He spent a lot
of nights and weekends over a few years time working on the construction of the
studio. He purchased my website and the sign that hangs out front. He schlepps
all my stuff to and from fairs. He's been unreal.
Me:
Where do you imagine MHP going in the future?
Jan:
I will keep doing what I'm doing for now; teaching classes and doing fairs and
adding to my income. It is and will continue to be a second job and a
supplementary income for years to come. Jim and I can't work out how I could
possibly make enough at MHP to quit my full-time job. Nor do I know if I would
want to leave teaching high school. I love the career that I've chosen, and
like your mom : ) I think I am very good at my job. When my boys are grown and
out of the house, I will be able to devote more time to the business. But I'm
not wishing those years away because they're already growing up too fast. When
I retire from teaching (in about 17
years) I plan to devote all of my time to MHP. That's the plan anyway.
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