We are opening a pottery workshop. How to open a pottery workshop Pottery equipment

Clay souvenirs are always enjoyed in great demand. In addition, recently products that imitate antique kitchen utensils made of clay have come into fashion. To engage in the production of such products, it is necessary to perfectly master this ancient craft. How to turn pottery making for beginners into a profitable one promising business you will learn from this article.

Education

Beginners often wonder where to learn pottery to gain the necessary skills and knowledge. Useful information can be gleaned from books and other specialized literature. In addition, many sites on the Internet post free videos pottery lessons for beginners.

The simplest and at the same time effective method, which will help you quickly master this craft - learning from a master. Such lessons will cost you about 1 thousand rubles for 1 hour of lessons. But this is the most The best way training that will allow you to learn manufacturing process from the inside. For 2 months of special courses you will pay 10–15 thousand rubles. After completing such courses, it is unlikely that you can become a master. But, nevertheless, you will be well versed in pottery.

In principle, even those people who have never encountered pottery can open such a business. It is enough to understand the technology of production of ceramic products, draw up a business plan for a pottery workshop and hire several experienced craftsmen. If you can organize this business competently, it will develop successfully and bring you excellent profits.

Many beginners doubt? If you want to receive financial independence, try, experiment and you will definitely succeed. The crisis is best time in order to start a new business, so cast aside all doubts and get to work.

Business registration

Before starting pottery, you need to register an individual entrepreneur. Such activities fall under OKVED 26.21. This category allows you to produce various ceramic products, ranging from souvenirs to household products. If you also plan to make toys from clay, you need to add OKVED code 36.50. To reduce taxes and insurance payments, it is better to choose a simplified taxation system.

Workshop space and equipment

After you have completed everything Required documents, you can proceed directly to organizing a pottery workshop. First of all you need to rent suitable premises. It is desirable that it consist of two rooms. One of them will be equipped as a workshop, and you will use the second as a warehouse for finished products. The area of the room should be at least 40–50 square meters. meters.

At first, it’s enough to buy:

Potter's wheel;
Device for kneading clay;
Scales;
Forms;
Furnace for firing finished products;
In addition, you will need racks with shelves to store finished products.

Kilns are available on the market in a wide range. They can be electric, gas or solid fuel. You can make such equipment with your own hands, but in homemade kilns it is almost impossible to achieve uniformity and high quality of firing.

Business Features

It is most profitable to open a pottery workshop in resort towns which are often visited by tourists from different countries. In this case, your products will be in demand on the market. Of course, before starting work, you need to carefully analyze the market and study the level of competition. Many domestic manufacturers cannot compete with cheap Chinese products. But this is a mass product that is not as interesting to consumers as individual developments. If you produce exclusive high-quality products, the demand for them will only grow.

When developing an assortment, you need to take into account that each region of the country has its own traditions and customs. You must learn to reflect them in ceramic products and their painting. In this case, Chinese manufacturers will not be able to repeat your masterpieces. At first, you shouldn’t greatly expand the range. Limit yourself to the production of decorative and household dishes, souvenir magnets, vases and various pots. Don't forget about this too profitable direction activities such as conducting master classes. Pottery making is a profitable and quite promising business.

Raw materials

Finding clay for pottery is not difficult. Using different ways processing can bring even poor quality raw materials back to normal condition. Typically, clay lies under a small layer of soil, so you can mine it even on your own plot. But it is best to use clean, homogeneous material for sculpting.

To determine the suitability of the raw material, you need to roll a small rope, the thickness of a finger, from moistened clay. After this, bend the harness in half and check the bend for cracks. If there are few of them, you can safely use the material for modeling.

For a business to flourish, you need to find trusted suppliers of raw materials. Sometimes even reliable partners let you down and supply low-quality material. Therefore, pay special attention to this important point. Another option where you can buy clay for pottery production is the Internet. Here you can find raw materials of any quality at affordable prices. In addition, as mentioned above, you can obtain clay for modeling on your own. In this case, you will open, because you can significantly reduce the cost of production.

Technological process

The production of pottery is one of the most...

Such products can be manufactured in different ways:

Free sculpting. Various figurines, whistles and pots are sculpted from prepared clay;
Free shaping is done using a potter's wheel;
For plastic molding by hand, plaster molds are used.

To produce complex ceramic products, several molding methods are usually combined. To give the product an elegant look, it is treated with solutions of gold or silver, picturesque decoration with heat-resistant paints or the thinnest transparent film that shimmers in different colors is used. A very beautiful decoration is made from small pieces of colored glass. They are applied to the surface in the right places and the product is fired. Under the influence of high temperatures, glass melts and spreads over the surface of the product, creating intricate patterns. You can create amazing original products from clay. A pottery workshop is enough, since the demand for ceramic products does not fall even during a crisis.

Sales of finished products

In order for pottery as a business to bring good profits, you need to find reliable sales channels. Advertising will help you with this, as well as participation in art exhibitions and fairs. Entrepreneurs who work in major cities, can sell finished products to souvenir shops located at airports and train stations, shopping centers, flower shops and other commercial enterprises.

If you do pottery at home, you can use another effective method that allows you to sell products in large volumes - the Internet. To organize online trading, it is enough to create your own online store. You can also find potential clients using auction sites.

Experienced businessmen advise newcomers to take part in exhibitions and fairs as often as possible. Of course, transportation costs, entry fees and rental of exhibition equipment will significantly reduce your profits. But such social events will help you attract potential customers to your products.

Please ensure that the stand with your products is installed in a well-lit, accessible place. Create a pleasant, friendly environment, offer customers products in different price range– all this attracts people and increases sales. Don't forget to order business cards to hand out to clients. Many exhibition visitors do not make a purchase right away. They select the appropriate options, then contact the seller and place a large order.

Video: Making a simple pot mold

Business development

In addition to selling finished products, you can organize pottery training for beginners. Training courses or master classes, with the right approach, can become a fairly profitable line of business. Many people are interested in this type of art, so they dream of learning pottery. The wonderful transformation of an ordinary piece of clay into an original jug or vase is a real pleasure. Therefore, there will be many who want to master this skill.

Recently, psychologists often recommend pottery therapy to their patients as one of the effective methods for treating severe depression. Additionally, pottery is a great option for people who can't find . By the way, many companies offer master classes at customers’ homes. This service is often ordered by schools and kindergartens.

To summarize, I would like to note the main stages in the development of pottery that will lead your business to prosperity.

Is pottery making a future as a business? This trade opens up opportunities for creativity, learning and earning money. Its history goes back thousands of years: many centuries ago, people sculpted vessels and pots from clay, decorated them with carvings and glazes. Mass production tableware in the 21st century has shifted from pottery to the entertainment industry. We tell you what the technology of pottery production is, what materials are used for production and how you can make money.

Pottery production has been known since ancient times. This craft created containers and vessels necessary for everyday life. The main material for it is clay. The story began with handmade: a master sculpted a product from a piece of clay, and then fired it in a kiln or dried it in the sun (in hot countries). However, quite a long time ago, at the beginning of the first millennium, Potter's wheel - a machine that, using rotational force, gives products an even, symmetrical shape. In addition to the beauty of the vessels, this device provides more high speed

production.

In addition to making tableware, potters produced bricks, tiles, drainage pipes, and even architectural decorations. It is interesting that in the Middle Ages they came up with the idea of using clay vessels to improve the acoustics of temples: they were walled up in the walls. These can be seen in Novgorod, Pskov and Moscow. Russian pottery masters also worked with their hands and on wheels, creating objects that were in demand and needed in everyday life. This skill was not rare: in every family there were people capable of making the necessary vessel. From the end of the 19th century tableware own production

was supplanted by the factory industry, and pottery moved from the sphere of vital skills to the field of folk art and hobbies.

Pottery - making dishes, various vessels, toys and even architectural elements from clay

Pottery production materials

The main material for pottery production is clay. A special potted variety is considered optimal for making vessels, although there can be quite a few variations in the composition of the clay mass. They are divided into dense (porcelain, biscuit, pariyaan) and porous (faience, terracotta). Clay may contain quartz and gypsum. These components make the products more durable. Most often, finished products, but after firing, are painted with glaze. The goals are not only decorative, but also practical: the paint prevents moisture from penetrating the product and destroying it.

Production technologies

Pottery making for beginners at home is a completely feasible task, although working in a special workshop is much more convenient. The reason for the simplicity of this business lies in its antiquity: initially people worked manually or with the help of very simple devices, and the skill of sculpting itself was very widespread.

The manufacture of the product begins with the preparation of the clay mass. The quality of the vessel depends on its quality and features. Usually the so-called pottery clay is used; its composition is considered optimal. The homogeneity and density of the mass is important. Nowadays such material can be easily purchased in hobby stores. Preparing clay yourself is problematic: you need to find a good place, collect material, clean it of stones and foreign impurities.

When the mass is ready, you can begin molding or sculpting. Some types of products are made in molds and frames, vessels are formed on a potter's wheel, figurines and whistles are sculpted by hand. It can be creative or pure mechanical process, depending on the wishes and goals of the master.

Burning

The formed product must be fired so that it maintains a stable shape. Clay is fired at very high temperatures - from 1000 degrees. Different mass compositions require a certain temperature:

clay - 1000–1200 degrees;
ceramics - 1100–1300 degrees;
porcelain - 1200–1400 degrees.

Difficulties may arise with low-quality compounds. For example, there are examples when purchased powdered clay began to boil at a temperature of 750 degrees and the product deteriorated. Therefore, you need to be extremely careful when choosing raw materials and check manufacturers so as not to waste time and money.

It is advisable to use gas or electric ovens: they are easier to operate, they do not produce soot and soot, which spoil the surface of the products. The atmosphere in the kiln during firing also affects the appearance of the vessels and figurines. For example, you can cause the clay to oxidize and give it a more brownish tint.

The basis of the workshop is the pottery wheel

Applying glaze

Glaze is the glassy coating on clay products. Its purpose is not only decorative. First of all, glaze is necessary to protect the product from moisture, which can get into its structure and destroy it. The protective coating is applied during or after firing. The basis of this coating is quartz, kaolin and feldspar. To make the glaze colored, metal oxides and salts are added to the composition.

Methods for applying glaze to pottery:

pulverization;
spray;
dipping;
watering;
tamponing;
brush painting.

When painting, defects sometimes occur, such as bubbles or cracks. The pottery maker must anticipate their causes and prevent them. To do this, you need to ensure uniform application, grind the raw materials for the glaze and select the correct temperature for firing.

Necessary equipment

The basis of the workshop is the pottery wheel. This device is quite familiar to everyone: a rotating device that allows you to form symmetrical volumetric products. There are several varieties:

manual (set in motion with one hand, and you need to work on the workpiece with the other hand);
mechanical foot (the rotational force is provided by the legs, both hands are free to work);
electric (the most common now, rotation is provided by electric current, the master works only on the product).

For business, especially if you plan to teach pottery, you need an electric wheel. A compact machine can be purchased for 30 thousand rubles, a more professional one - for 45 thousand. The rotating part of the circle is called a tournette. One tournette is necessarily included with the circle, but you can buy additional ones, for example, in large and smaller sizes.

In addition to the pottery wheel, a muffle kiln is required: it is capable of heating to a certain high temperature (up to 1400 degrees) and maintaining this temperature for the required period of time. You can buy a kiln for pottery making on average for 30-40 thousand rubles, but it is better to budget a larger amount - around 100 thousand rubles. The firing time depends on the material and volume of the product. Sometimes it is necessary to fire the clay 2-3 times for glazing.

How can you make money?

Pottery now is more folk craft than the method of production. A master working on a potter's wheel will not be able to compete in production volumes with industrial enterprises. And the quality of its products will most likely be inferior.

Option to earn money pottery production- production of decorative toys, whistles, bells. They are sold in museums, souvenir shops, and tourist shops.

The most promising in terms of income seems to be a pottery master class. Opportunity to try yourself in new role, working with your hands, making a memorable souvenir or a useful household item attracts many. Children and adults enjoy attending such lessons. It is possible to organize pottery courses only if the entrepreneur already has skills in this craft (otherwise it will not be possible to teach people).

Let's look at each option in a little more detail.

There are several options for making money from pottery, one of which is training

Pottery

The sale of pottery - dishes, household vessels, as well as decorative figurines and whistles - can generate income. Such souvenirs are not produced en masse, although the demand for them among tourists is quite high. If you can find sales channels in this direction, in the spring-summer season and new year holidays you can make a profit.

You shouldn’t expect big money: one figurine sells for an average of 100-150 rubles, with a cost of up to 30 rubles. If you make 500 pieces, you can earn 75,000 rubles. The downside of this method is that creating such souvenirs is not as easy as it seems at first glance. You need neatness, nice colors and original ideas.

Another idea is to sell dishes and vases online. The tendency to use only natural materials in the interior will work in favor of the master. If you photograph your products beautifully, talk more about them and regularly maintain pages, you can find many clients.

Master classes for children

Another more lucrative direction is master classes for children. Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other cities have already joined this work. The advantage is that the audience of potential visitors is simply huge, and special knowledge is not needed to conduct children's master classes. Children value impressions, not knowledge and skills. Often such classes are attended by families.

Classes are held in small groups and last on average 1.5 hours. Children are told a short history pottery, show finished products and teach how to work with clay. This is an easy and enjoyable job. The only downside is the cost: you need to rent a large room, renovate it, put in furniture and buy several pottery wheels. One oven is enough. Lesson programs should also be developed and variability should be provided for different ages.

Education

You can also earn money through more advanced training. Some people are really interested in learning pottery at an advanced level. Perhaps they plan to make money from this later or build a business, so they are ready to pay for lessons. This area of work should be combined with children's master classes and independent production.

Not quite the usual option - books. If the master has already accumulated solid work experience and knows the craft well, you can try to write tutorial and publish it in a small edition.

Many people are willing to pay to learn how to work on a pottery wheel and make their own dishes

Financial investments and payback

You will have to spend an average of 150 thousand rubles on equipment for the workshop: a stove and a pottery wheel. Working tools like thread, modeling kits - another 10 thousand rubles. Raw materials for several months of work - approximately 30 thousand.

Suppose an entrepreneur plans not only to produce on his own, but also to train other people. Then there will be more costs: several pottery wheels, rent and renovation of premises, more tools and raw materials, as well as advertising. All this can be done on average in 500 thousand rubles. The total cost of starting a business will be 800 thousand rubles.

We found out that you can earn approximately 75 thousand rubles per season by selling products. The main part of income should come from master classes. A 1.5-hour lesson costs from 500 rubles, groups - 10-12 people. If you conduct 4 classes a week in fully loaded groups, you can earn 24 thousand rubles in a week, and 96 thousand in a month.

It is quite possible to earn 100 thousand rubles a month in your own pottery workshop. Including purchase Supplies, rent payments and utilities You can recoup all investments within 8-12 months of active work.

Conclusion

Pottery is a promising craft in terms of earning money. The most profitable way is to organize master classes for children and adults. You can also make money by selling dishes and souvenirs. Opening a workshop costs on average 800 thousand rubles, which can be recouped in 1 year of work.

Do you want to open your own business, but do not have serious funds to invest? It doesn’t matter - you can always find a niche where you don’t need serious start-up capital, but at the same time the business brings good profits. One of these niches iswhich we will talk about in this article. Its organization does not require anything supernatural or complicated - anyone can open it.

Introduction

Clay products are still popular, despite the fact that more practical and reliable materials are available on sale. Today, pottery is used mainly as souvenirs— in any store you can find plates, vases, cups, toys, tablets, frames and other clay products. They are very popular among buyers and demand, as a rule, greatly exceeds supply.

Pottery - good business for beginners

Why do you need a workshop if you can produce products in an apartment? In principle, at the initial stage you can easily organize production in a garage or office, but if we're talking about specifically about business, then you should still think about legalization and a separate premises. You will need equipment, tables for drying, you will be able to organize excursions for children, conduct master classes, which will significantly expand the number of your clients and will be a good tool for marketing.

How to start

Before starting any type of business, you must:

Study the market. Go around the souvenir shops in your city, see what they offer and at what price. Try to find manufacturers and ask them for their selling prices.
Create a buyer profile. Your clients will be tourists aged from 22 to 50 years old, as well as teenagers aged from 8 to 14 years old who will attend master classes.
Study manufacturing technology. There is nothing complicated about this - on YouTube you will find hundreds of videos on how to make certain types of pottery.
Find a place. Let's say right away - the apartment is not suitable. In principle, if you have your own home, you can equip a barn or garage for this, but keep in mind that groups of people will come to you. Usually the equipment is installed in the yard.
Create a business plan. Many new entrepreneurs skip this step. We do not recommend doing this - firstly, you will be able to collect all your thoughts and ideas into one whole, and secondly, it will be like a reminder for you about where you wanted to move and what to achieve.
Register in tax authorities. Registration is an important stage of legalization. If you want to provide services and sell products, then don't miss it.
Start working. Once the premises are found, you purchase equipment and raw materials, and then get down to business. We recommend that you first focus on souvenirs to get a constant flow of money, and then organize excursions.

As you can see, there is nothing supernatural in this regard - with the proper desire and desire, you can open a workshop in a couple of weeks.

How to register

To register you need to contact tax office at your place of residence. You can choose the work system - individual entrepreneur or society with limited liability. For a potter, the first option is quite sufficient.

Attention:Forming an individual entrepreneur is much easier and cheaper than registering an LLC. Reporting for an individual entrepreneur is also simpler, so we recommend choosing him.

When registering, you should select OKVED codes:

2, section C - manufacturing.
23 - production of non-metallic products.
23.4 - manufacture of other ceramic products.
23.41 - production of decorative and household products from ceramics.

In principle, the above is quite sufficient for work, but if necessary, you can specify retail trade, and provision of consulting services. In principle, the number of OKVED codes is unlimited, so enter them without fear. But if you want to do something that is not included in the codes during registration, you will have to contact the tax office again, so it is better to indicate them in advance.

There is nothing complicated about pottery art

Since your business is guaranteed to employ less than 5 people, you can choose a simplified work system, which will allow you to refuse to fill out tax returns and do accounting.

Selection of premises

For work you need a room of 50 m2. This is quite enough to accommodate equipment for pottery workshop and a small warehouse (at least 15 m2 is recommended).

Attention:choose a room on the ground floor to make it easier for you to take out finished products and bring in raw materials. Also keep in mind that you will have visitors.

Where to choose a room? You don’t need central streets with hypermarkets, where rent is very expensive; a residential area or even the outskirts of the city near a transport interchange are quite suitable for you. The requirements for the premises are simple: sufficient volume, water supply, electricity and heating. It is advisable that there is ventilation in it (since the room will be damp), but in extreme cases, regular ventilation can be organized. There is no need for special renovations in the room - just plaster the walls or leave the brick - it looks good in the interiors.

We select equipment

So, we have already decided on the main issues. Next, let's look at what equipment you will need for work:

High quality pottery wheel. They are available with a foot drive and a motor. We recommend purchasing modern motor options so as not to be distracted while working.
Scales for weighing raw materials and finished products. Usually you need two scales - one measuring in grams (from 1 to 3000 grams) and the second, measuring in hundreds of grams.
A machine that allows you to knead clay. Of course, this can be done manually, but this will require spending time and effort, and it will not be possible to knead large volumes of quality by hand.
A special kiln for firing, with the help of which the products are dried and brought to condition. A classic oven will not work - you need a special temperature regime.
Various molds for making figurines and other things.
A set of brushes and special paints for ceramics.

At 2018 prices, you will spend about 300 thousand rubles on purchasing equipment and processing all documents. This is quite an affordable amount to start your own business.

Attention:if you are limited in funds, you can always purchase used equipment - this will reduce costs by about 30%.

Organizational matters

You need to immediately decide who exactly will work in the workshop. In principle, for starters, you can do this yourself to master the process and learn all its tricks. But then we recommend hiring people, since making souvenirs will take everything possible time. You will need at least two people - one to mix and shape the clay, and the other to do the artistic painting. You can take on the responsibilities of a manager, selling goods and organizing various events.

By conducting master classes, you will attract new clients

The manufacturing technology is quite simple:

The required amount of clay is poured with a certain amount of water, the solution is kneaded in a machine until a homogeneous mass is obtained. It is very important to achieve uniformity and the absence of lumps so that the product does not have defects.
Giving the clay the required shape. Some of the clay is placed in molds, and some is sent to the potter's wheel for processing. The resulting product is dried so that it can be transferred to the oven.
Firing of finished products. It is placed in the oven and kept at a certain temperature. During the firing process, the clay crystallizes and turns into ceramics - dense and durable material, not afraid of moisture.
After the product has cooled, it is sent to the artist’s table. He colors it, giving it unique features. In some cases, special paints are used that must be baked to obtain a glazed surface.

How much can you earn

Next we move on to the most interesting part - financial matters. You already know what is needed to organize a workshop, what equipment is needed, what exactly is produced and how ceramics are made. Now let's look at how quickly the investment will pay off.

It is best to sell your goods in bulk, handing them over to souvenir shops. They usually work as a network, so you need to reach out to the owner and get him interested by offering profitable terms. Keep in mind that networks require a large number of products - they sell tens and hundreds of products per day.

Second source of profit - training courses and master classes. Most parents will be happy to enroll their child in pottery workshop for children for creative courses, and regular visits from groups bring good profits. You need to think in advance about how exactly you will work, because working with children requires a special person, so you will either have to do this yourself or expand your staff.

Don't forget about large companies who often order souvenirs for the entire team - by receiving contracts for such transactions, you can provide yourself with work for several weeks. In this article we will not give exact numbers, since they simply do not exist - it all depends on your desire, location, products and correct organization. Let's just name general business figures - on average, a workshop working one shift brings in at least 3 thousand rubles per day net profit minus the costs of raw materials, rent and salaries. You will earn about 90 thousand per month, recouping your investments in 4-5 months (it should be borne in mind that you are unlikely to reach this amount right away). Practice shows that six months after opening, workshops are firmly on their feet and expanding, launching new product lines, organizing various courses and clubs, attracting visitors to master classes and lessons.

Starting to create clay masterpieces at home, do not rush to purchase a pottery wheel. After all, there are a large number of different techniques that, at first, will allow you to better “feel” the material, learn about its properties and “behavior” during and after work.

Historically, most of these techniques predate shaping on the potter's wheel: hand sculpting appeared long before the invention of the potter's famous tool. The main tool of a true master of sculpting is his hands, and clay is only a material that obediently reflects the imagination of the creator.

You can sculpt from pieces of clay, assembling a whole from individual parts. This method is called constructive. It is suitable for making various small decorative elements: toys, saucers, mugs. A striking example of such modeling is the famous Dymkovo toy. When sculpting from individual parts, the work begins with the formation of a large part, and then additional elements are literally glued to it, but so that the seams of the joints are not visible.

The second popular sculpting method– plastic – from a whole piece: all parts are formed from one piece of clay. That is, a lump of clay must first be rolled into a ball, and then additional elements must be pulled out of it with gentle movements.

The third method is combined. As the name suggests, it combines several types of modeling: structural and plastic. For example, a bowl is molded from a whole piece, and handles are attached to it.

For the manufacture of various types vessels by hand sculpting (without using a potter's wheel) different techniques are used. Below are a few of the most common ones.

Spiral strand technique: Initially, strands are made from clay, which are wound onto an imaginary figure, forming a real product, circle by circle. Even in ancient times, this technique was valued for the fact that it made it possible to create very large vessels: those that could not be made on a potter's wheel.

Modeling from stripes somewhat reminiscent of the spiral technique. However, it is much more difficult for beginning potters: first you need to roll out the layer, then cut it into strips. The first strip is laid on the base with a notch, the next one is attached to it, and another notch is made at the junction (inside). Then a thin flagellum is placed on this notch from the inside, and the seam is covered. All subsequent stripes are added in a similar way - they gradually “grow” into the figure conceived by the author.

It should be remembered that the blank will simply “not lag behind” the product, so it must be wrapped in a plastic bag or covered with paper. And within a day (until the figure dries completely) remove it from the resulting clay product.

One of the most mysterious pottery methods Modeling of vessels on rope is recognized: archaeologists have many times found vessels with rope ornaments inside. The question arose: for what purpose did ancient craftsmen decorate vessels from the inside? The answer was hidden precisely in the method of making samples, and not in decorative techniques: a certain blank was wrapped with rope; a vessel was sculpted from the resulting blank; then the rope was unwound, which made it easy to remove the vessel from the workpiece.

Talking about decorating pottery, it is worth mentioning special techniques: molded patterns, relief modeling, rope print, painting.

Beginners should know and the fact that solid objects (colored glass, beads, etc.) cannot be used as decoration for clay products until the sample is completely ready: when drying and firing, the clay contracts and literally squeezes out all the “foreign bodies,” which often leads to deformation and damage products.

By making ceramic products you can build profitable business, both in large-scale and full-scale production, and as part of opening a small pottery workshop. The latter option, as experience shows, is even more cost-effective.

Basically, this line of activity is chosen by entrepreneurs who already have some experience and are familiar with the specifics of pottery.

In this case, it will be possible to implement a business idea faster and much more efficiently, but, on the other hand, the lack of experience is a fixable matter, and anyone would be willing to learn the nuances of making ceramic products. Moreover, such products are now in great demand, which is growing every year.

Room

To accommodate a pottery workshop, you will need a room with an area of about 70-80 sq.m., which should be divided into a production area, a warehouse for raw materials and finished products, a staff room with a shower and a bathroom.

It is recommended to separately equip a room for glazing products, since the glaze contains substances that are harmful and hazardous to health, for example, lead; working with such a composition requires the use of respirators, professional system ventilation, in addition, water supply and electricity are required.

As for the location of the pottery workshop, then large manufacturers Ceramics, whenever possible, locate their workshops closer to suppliers of raw materials or clay deposits. A small pottery workshop can be located within the city, but not necessarily in the center, this will help reduce rental costs.

Equipment

Necessary equipment for a pottery workshop - direct production units (potter's wheel, clay kneading machine, oven, glaze mill, scales and ready-made stencils for small products), improvised tools (pottery knives, spatulas, threads, files, compasses, spoons and other pottery tools), furniture for craftsmen (tables, chairs), equipment for storage and storage of raw materials (containers, racks, shelves).

Approximate cost calculation at this stage:

Potter's wheel - from 900 to 1500 dollars;
Clay kneading machine – 950 USD;
Libra – from $180;
Tools – from $150 and above.

Firing of ceramic products is carried out in muffle furnaces. average cost one stove – 2-2.5 thousand dollars.

Some pottery specialists, in order to save on the purchase of a muffle kiln, manage to convert electric stoves for firing needs.

Raw materials

The cost of purchasing the first batch of raw materials (clay, enamels, paints, glazes) will be 1500-1600 USD. Clay is imported mainly from Ukraine. One ton can be purchased at a price of 100 USD. and higher.

Staff

Usually in small pottery workshops with an area of up to 50 sq.m. 2-3 masters work. The salary of such workers is 400-450 dollars per month, it all depends on the fullness of employment and the level of qualifications of specialists.

Where to get money to start own business? This is exactly the problem that 95% of new entrepreneurs face! In the article we revealed the most current methods receiving starting capital for an entrepreneur. We also recommend that you carefully study the results of our experiment in exchange earnings:

An accountant is also needed; the functions of a manager for the procurement of raw materials and sales are often taken over by the owner of the workshop, development appearance products are handled by a visiting or full-time designer, graphic designer. From imagination and creative flight The thoughts of this specialist will depend on the model range and success of the products produced.

Specifics of activity

It is most profitable to start such a business in resort areas and cities with high tourist traffic, then ceramic products - original and authentic - will certainly be in demand. Of course, it is important to take into account the presence of competitors or suppliers of a similar group of goods.

Many believe that it is difficult for local pottery manufacturers to compete with cheap Chinese products. But it is worth remembering that a mass product is not as interesting as an individual development, and besides, although Chinese products are cheap, they are not of high quality.

When creating products, it is important to remember that each region of the country has its own history and traditions, which are reflected in ceramic souvenirs and paintings. And the clay, which has been mined for centuries and the way it is processed, is a peculiar business card localities, so, for example, Slavic, Gaivaretskaya, Cherry ceramics and others appeared, which Chinese manufacturers certainly cannot repeat.

In the first stages, you should not engage in the production of a huge assortment of ceramic products at once. The most popular items are dishes, decorative plates, mugs, magnets, and vases.

The sources of income for a pottery workshop are profits from the sale of products directly, as well as the recently popular services of conducting master classes in pottery, courses and renting out the workshop and equipment.

Prices for such services: cost of a master class per person – from 10 dollars, workshop rental – from 35 USD. at one o'clock.

Markets and sales mechanisms

The main markets are retail chains, small businesses, flower and gift shops, souvenir shops, wholesale markets, small boutiques of gifts and souvenirs in large shopping and entertainment centers.

Effective advertising of services and sales via the Internet, your own website, the presence of an online store, promotion of goods through social media, electronic bulletin boards. In such electronic and printed sources It is convenient to place information with a price list about products, as well as prices for pottery training services.

Investments and profits

The starting price for selling a simple clay product (using the example of a magnet made by stamping) is 1.5-1.8 dollars.

At a cost of 0.7-0.9 USD

To summarize, we note that the total investment to start a business will be $7800-8000.

Payback period of a business project with intensive advertising promotion, active sales and search for potential customers, high quality products, unique design and creative imagination of the artist does not exceed 12 months.

Video: pottery workshop from the inside