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. bo…

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 discussing being overwhelmed. I don’t have it all figured out. Most days, I’m just like you, swimming through resistance, elbowing my way through the chaos, and trying to re…

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. bo…

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. bo…

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.com The Pottery Dailies: https://creekroadpottery.com/the-pottery-daili…

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. bo…

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…

Welcome to the latest episode of "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art meets entrepreneurship. I'm your host, Al Wayman, from Creek Road Pottery LLC. In this episode, I discuss with my virtual assistant, Amelia, an Artificial Intelligence Chatbot, the topic of "Peopleing". Understanding people can play an essential role in creating work that matters. C…

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, …

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 organizing a Holiday Trail with other small businesses and how the Creek Road Pottery Christmas show went. Website: https://creekroadpottery.com The Pottery Dailies: https://creekroadpotter…

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 a…

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 my Fall show 2024, what went right, and what I may need to work on. I then read one of my posts on the Pottery Dailies. Generosity and Pricing: No One Owes You Anything https://thepotterydailies.substack.com/…

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 excha…

Welcome to "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art and life intersect. I’m your host, Alford Wayman of Creek Road Pottery LLC. Today, I’m sharing a personal reflection on life, art, and the lessons learned from my father. We’ll dive into moments of creativity, connection, and the challenges of balancing life’s difficult decisions. As you listen, think ab…

Welcome to the latest episode of "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art meets entrepreneurship. I'm your host, Alford Wayman, from Creek Road Pottery LLC. In this episode, I have a discussion with my virtual assistant, Amelia, an Artificial Intelligence Chatbot, as we explore Life & Art Balance. At times, we might need to consider, or make hard decision…

Welcome to the latest episode of "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art meets entrepreneurship. I'm your host, Al Wayman, from Creek Road Pottery LLC, guiding you through the multifaceted world of pottery and business. Today, we're diving into the topic of using screenplay structure as a project management and promotion tool. In the book Save The Cat by…

Welcome to the latest episode of "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art meets entrepreneurship. I'm your host, Al Wayman, from Creek Road Pottery LLC, guiding you through the multifaceted world of pottery and business. Today, we're diving into concepts & themes. Each project should have a beginning, middle and end. At each project start one should ask "…

Welcome to the latest episode of "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art meets entrepreneurship. I'm your host, Al Wayman, from Creek Road Pottery LLC, guiding you through the multifaceted world of pottery and business. Today, we're diving into the concept of enjoying the journey. Maybe we need to enjoy the journey and not rush and stress about getting t…

Welcome to the latest episode of "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art meets entrepreneurship. I'm your host, Al Wayman, from Creek Road Pottery LLC. In this episode, I have a discussion with my virtual assistant, Amelia, an Artificial Intelligence Chatbot. We explore how Cost Structures are crucial for crafting a successful business model in the creat…

Welcome to The Pin Tool Podcast, where we shape, mold, and explore the art of pottery and the journeys of creative minds. I'm your host, Al Wayman of Creek Road Pottery LLC, and today we're diving into a topic that many of us face but seldom talk about—imposter syndrome. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting out, the feeling of not bein…

Welcome to the latest episode of "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art meets entrepreneurship. I'm your host, Al Wayman, from Creek Road Pottery LLC, guiding you through the multifaceted world of pottery and business. In this episode, Alford has a discussion with his virtual assistant, Amelia, an Artificial Intelligence Chatbot. They explore how Key Pa…

Once we make the changes, we may thank our past selves for dying a death on Memorial Day, as we are so much better off on the new path we chose to take. So run, Alcestis, from that fiery pit. THE POTTERY DAILIES AlcestisMemorial Day and Sunk Cost. https://substack.com/home/post/p-145025893 Written By, Alford Wayman Artist/Owner Creek Road Pottery L…

Welcome to the latest episode of "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art meets entrepreneurship. I'm your host, Al Wayman, from Creek Road Pottery LLC, guiding you through the multifaceted world of pottery and business. In this episode, Alford has a discussion with his virtual assistant, Amelia, an Artificial Intelligence Chatbot. They explore how unders…

Welcome to the latest episode of "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art meets entrepreneurship. I'm your host, Al Wayman, from Creek Road Pottery LLC, guiding you through the multifaceted world of pottery and business. In this episode, Alford has a discussion with his virtual assistant, Amelia, an Artificial Intelligence Chatbot. They explore how unders…

It was a privilege to be there firing with the team at the Bill Moon kiln of Imagine Peace Pottery and learning the more advanced and planned firing techniques rather than simply having the goal of making temperature. Having a plan means thinking about how to influence the pots by even the type of wood or materials burned. In this firing, raku low-…

Welcome to the latest episode of "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art meets entrepreneurship. I'm your host, Al Wayman, from Creek Road Pottery LLC, guiding you through the multifaceted world of pottery and business. Today, we're diving into Customer Relationships, as outlined in the book "Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Ch…

Welcome to the latest episode of "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art meets entrepreneurship. I'm your host, Al Wayman, from Creek Road Pottery LLC, guiding you through the multifaceted world of pottery and business. Today, we're diving into the idea of pottery as a vocation, as discussed in the video "Elizabeth Gilbert on Distinguishing Between Hobbi…

Welcome to the latest episode of "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art meets entrepreneurship. I'm your host, Al Wayman, from Creek Road Pottery LLC, guiding you through the multifaceted world of pottery and business. Today, we're diving into the concept of Channels, as outlined in the book "Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game C…

Welcome to the latest episode of "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art meets entrepreneurship. I'm your host, Al Wayman, from Creek Road Pottery LLC, guiding you through the multifaceted world of pottery and business. Today, we're diving into the concept of Revenue Streams, as outlined in the book "Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries,…

Welcome to the latest episode of "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art meets entrepreneurship. I'm your host, Al Wayman, from Creek Road Pottery LLC, guiding you through the multifaceted world of pottery and business. Today, we're diving into the concept of Value Propositions, as outlined in the book "Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionari…

Welcome to the latest episode of "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art meets entrepreneurship. I'm your host, Al Wayman, from Creek Road Pottery LLC, guiding you through the multifaceted world of pottery and business. Today, we're diving into the concept of Customer Segments, as outlined in the groundbreaking book "Business Model Generation: A Handbook…

Welcome to "The Pin Tool Podcast," hosted by Al Wayman, artist and owner of Creek Road Pottery LLC. This latest episode delves into the intricacies of the Business Model Canvas, a strategic tool essential for any artist who wants to become an entrepreneur. Join us as I try to unravel the complexities of this model, making it accessible and actionab…

Welcome back to The Pin Tool Podcast, the show where we dive deep into the art of thriving in our personal and professional lives. I'm Al Wayman of Creek Road Pottery LLC, and in today's special episode, we're setting the stage for the year ahead. As we stand at the threshold of a new year, it's the perfect time to reflect, recalibrate, and set mea…

A Creek Road Pottery LLC update and a holiday story: "The heavy-loaded train slowed its speed as it entered the little sleepy town of Laceyville, Pennsylvania. Its loud horn echoed across the river, through the corn fields, and over the mountainside as it entered the straits. Hobo Smoky tossed off his pack from a gently rocking sander car, then mad…

May you one day look out across the vast sea and have a glimpse of the smoke from the cooking fires rising from your homeland of your Ithaca. Or may you one day, after many wanderings and hardships, wake up on its shore surrounded by the many gifts you were given. But even on that shore, it’s fine to be suspicious and on guard. The Lectures Mention…

While at the thrift shop I found the book ” The Ballad Book of John Jacob Niles” from 1961 and for $5.00. The book is a collection of old time folk ballads from the Appalachian mountains. Haunting and yet amazing. The stories and poetry in the music is amazing. The background and extensive notes to this rendition of the song can be found here. A Yo…

In this episode, I talk about ways to underscore your style and set yourself apart from others in your own way by asking: "Who's it for?", "What's it for?", and "What change are you trying to make?". Books: The Practice: Shipping Creative Work. by Seth Godin An example of intentional design and why. See The Florian Gadsby Mug Post Here. See my frie…

In my opinion, bad art might be forms and elements that communicate poorly. In this episode, I talk about taking the work from a design in your sketchbook to creating a clay prototype of your form. I discuss what bad art might be and a few topics concerning the many elements that might be included in a form you create. I then go into some of the ph…

How do you generate ideas while creating art? In this episode, you help me kiln sit as I fire an updraft and chat about design. I discuss some ways ideas for work might happen and the sources we might draw from to generate elements in our art. A list of good books mentioned are in the show notes. “Furthermore, we have not even to risk the adventure…

In today's world, we do not need to wait to be picked due to social media and the internet. We can pick ourselves. Many of the standards that were once used by gatekeepers to define what a good pot was may no longer be relevant. Or are they? Design, function, and elements on a form, when used intentionally, can add interest and help communicate wha…

By Alford Wayman

Many people leave it up to luck, fate, or "Kiln gods" when firing out work. But once you get to know your kiln, you can use it to add a whole new layer of interest to your work by how you choose to fire it. Even when electric firing, using different firing schedules, holds, cooling techniques, and much more can make your pots more exciting to creat…

Many times we may feel anxiety about how we are spending our time. Either we feel we were not as productive as we would like to be or even when we are able to complete all the daily goals we gain anxiety by adding more things. In this episode I discuss some ideas from the book Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals. by Oliver Burkeman. Th…

We fill many roles in our lives and community. Putting all effort into just one role may bankrupt the other vital roles that make us who we are. This, in turn, can have a negative effect on our work and our ability to create good work. In order to keep receiving golden eggs from the goose, you need to take care of the goose so it is able to produce…

Many times we might like to leave it up to others to take ownership because it's easier and lets us off the hook. However, what others do and say for us may not be what's best for us or our work and life story. In this episode, I discuss the topic of taking ownership or our attitudes, goals, actions, and our lives. I need to work on all of these th…

In this episode, I talk about kiln deities and their role in firing out work and the influences they have over the process. Thanks so much to The Potscast - all about Pottery Being Brave for the wonderful interview on her podcast. We had a nice chat about my background and ideas about pottery and firing. You can find the episode here: The Potscast …

Overall, it was a fair and foul month, but like some say, “Done is better than perfect, and perfect is never perfect but only better “. Many times, you just need to keep showing up for yourself and others. Losing a whole buying community will take a while to walk off, but I had already started diversifying last year and so only lost about 1/3 of my…

In this episode, we talk about idea generation; collecting, and the germination of creative seeds using the book "The Creative Act: A Way Of Being." by Rick Rubin Many times we might stall when we run out of ideas creatively. That's why it's important to collect many seeds and store them to plant later. Seeds will not grow if you never water them o…

In this episode, we talk about a few ways you could use Artificial Intelligence as a creation tool. With the rise of ChatGPT in search and the controversy and questions around AI-generated art, is it even possible to use it as a tool in creating our work? Feel free to let me know by commenting! Books Mentioned The Creative Act: A Way of Being. By R…

In this episode, I go over a few steps you can take to manage seasonal depression maybe and avoid an existential vacuum. We discuss Victor Frankel's ideas about Existential Vacuum in his book Man's Search For Meaning. I also cover the idea of the Hero's Journey with ideas from Joseph Campbell's Hero with a Thousand Faces. Life is far to short not t…