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WorkSmall business

Pottery for Education

The ceramics and jewelry business I ran through college. More than $150,000 in sales.

A market stall with tables of pottery and jewelry under a white tent
Year
2020–2025
Context
Independent business, San Luis Obispo and Stanford
Timeline
June 2020 – November 2025
Tools
Wheel throwing, Silversmithing, Etsy, Pricing and inventory

I have made ceramics since I was ten, and started selling them at a table outside my father's gallery. During the pandemic my father helped me set up a studio in our garage. I sold as potteryforeducation because the earnings went toward my Stanford tuition.

Over five years, while studying full time, the business brought in more than $150,000. I handled product development, sourcing, production, pricing and inventory.

Work

Overhead view of blue and green glazed mugs and bowls
Mugs and bowls
Mugs and bowls in pale blue and green glazes
Glaze tests
Rows of brightly coloured ribbed mugs
Ribbed mugs

Selling

I sold through Etsy, Instagram, the San Luis Obispo farmers' markets, Stanford's FashionX art markets, holiday markets in Harmony, my father's gallery, and the de Young Museum's Winter Holiday market in December 2025.

Genevieve at a market table of ceramics on a lawn
Campus market
A dark blue handmade teapot with two mugs on a windowsill
Teapot and mugs

Video

Makers at Stanford, Episode 1: potteryforeducation, by Cole Lee

Links