FAQ:WHY ARE PRODUCTS SOOOO EXPENSIVE?
- E&M Artistry, LLC
- Apr 29, 2021
- 2 min read
This question is not new to other artists and small business owners. As a creative individual this question is best answered by giving a breakdown of the art making process. With that in mind, I will offer the detailed description of making a cup. One of the steps is shown in the video below.
It takes me about 1.5 hours to purchase a 25 pound bag of clay...I'll get about 10 cups a bag.
2 hours will be spent wedging the clay into 2 pound balls.
It takes about 15 to 30 minutes to work on the ceramic wheel resulting in 1 cup.
The cups will be set aside to dry for about 2 days.
After the cups have reach what is known as the leather-hard stage the cups now can be trimmed on the wheel. This takes about 15 minutes per cup.
Handles are next. Placement and type of handle is one of the more important skills to have. Handles help to distinguish the individual personality of each cup. Handles take about 15 minutes each.
Positioning the handle takes about 15 minutes per cup.
Next...the bisque fire. Which takes about 8 hours in the kiln.
After the bisque fire. Each cup and bowl will need some maintenance. The bottoms of each cup will need sanding so they won't scratch your furniture. This takes about 10 minutes per cup.
Wax resist is applied to each cup which helps to make the glazing process quicker. It keeps the glaze from attaching to areas it is not intended.
One of the more difficult jobs that I love is the process of choosing how to glaze my cups. There are hundreds maybe thousand of glazes to choose from. My job is to find the most appealing glazes and try to make them work. It's all an experiment. It can be an arduous process that is done with love. The decision making and application will take from 15 minutes to 8 hours each cup, depending on the design and pattern of cup.
Finally, the cup will enter the glaze firing stage. Back in the kiln for an average time of up to 17 hours. Cone 6 slow cool.
I must include here all of my personal and financial investment. This would include 40 plus years of experience in the art making business.
Conservatively, it takes about 3.5 hours to make 1 cup. If I sold the cup for $20, I would be making less than minimum wage.
I'm worth more than a minimum wage salary.
Be Well,
Gary
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