Every so often, I get asked if I offer discounts on my pieces. Honestly, I don't think people always realize what they are asking when they pose this question. If you have ever asked this yourself and are reading this now, please don't take it the wrong way! I completely understand that handcrafted ceramics don't always fit into every budget. But what many don't realize is that our profit margins are often very tight. Lowering our prices sometimes amounts to working for free, and that just isn't sustainable for us.
Every cup, every plate, every bowl that leaves my studio has gone through a long process: hours of shaping, drying, and two firings, not to mention the testing, the failures, and the adjustments along the way. It isn't just an object; it is the result of my craftsmanship, experience, and passion.
When I am asked for a discount, it's a bit like being asked to undervalue all that work. And in a world where craft is already competing with mass production, that is a difficult reality to swallow.
Of course, I want my pieces to be accessible and appreciated, which is why I set my prices fairly from the start. No inflated margins just to then have spectacular sales. Just an honest price that reflects the time, materials, and expertise that each piece requires.
Besides, I do have an "imperfect" sale once a year, every autumn, during the Pop Up Potier in Sutton. That’s an event where you can find pieces with slight flaws at a reduced price. But outside of that, I don't like it when people come to the shop hoping to buy these pieces for less. If your budget is better suited to second-choice pieces, that is completely understandable! But in that case, please wait for the sale announcement rather than asking for these pieces in advance. My job is to create quality pieces, not to make a living off my occasional mistakes.
So, the next time you invest in a handmade piece, know that you are supporting much more than a simple object: you are valuing a craft, a process, and a way of creating that deserves to be recognized.
Discover my collections online
