About 15 years ago, I was interviewed by the editors of Arts & Crafts Magazine, a leading ceramic publication at that time. During the interview, I was asked what I saw for the future of ceramics. I prophesied that in order to survive, Ceramic Shops/studios would need to turn to the internet in order to compete and succeed.

Today, I repeat the mantra. It is imperative that you utilize the internet in promoting your business and your product. Everyone, whether you are a fully functioning store, a home studio, a hobbyist wanting to sell some wares, or someone making and selling finished items on any scale, the web can make the difference of coasting along or really succeeding. Buyers are loving the ability to search the net and find new products and ideas, they are loving the convenience. Don’t you want to receive part of the millions of dollars being spent daily on the internet?

It does not have to be fancy, but an internet presence with your own website is crucial. It is no longer the matter of saying, ‘maybe one of these days’ - it is NOW. The future is here. Face it, you are using the internet-you’re here, so why limit yourself to only doing the surfing and buying?

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Yes, it’s time to plan for Christmas and one of the best sellers every year are Christmas ornaments. Whether you sell bisque or finished pieces, ornaments are a nice steady source of income.

When making your ornaments, it is important to provide means by which the ornaments can be hung.

There are several methods available.

1) Utilize the area provided in the casting by making sure the indentation or hole is clear

2) Use a skewer of some kind to poke a hold in the top of the ornament where by a ribbon or string can be threaded through as a hanger, or

3) insert wire loops into the wet casting so that string, ribbon, wire hooks or chains can be threaded through it to hang the ornament after painting.

In my many years of casting ornaments, I have found that a continuous, circular wire loop provides the most secure and versatile means to display and hang ceramic or porcelain ornaments. Because they are inserted in the wetware, they will need to be made from a wire that can withstand high firing temperatures. Nichrome wire can fired up to about 2400 degrees Fahrenheit without melting, so it is good for use with ceramic, porcelain or stoneware.

For simple and cost effective instructions on how to make the best kind of wire loop, click here