Business Description
My current work is made up of functional and decorative handmade ceramics with exploratory surfaces. As a plant-lover, I enjoy designing planters to add greenery and interest to everyday spaces. I also create a variety of essentials for the table and kitchen while my decorative work includes jewelry, chimes, ornaments, and tiles.
Recently my biggest challenges are making time to create and develop new ideas with a active toddler and a growing wholesale business. This means I make a lot of my designs over and over and have less time to try new things which can be a setback in the ever competitive art and design world. Hopefully, in the near future, I’d love to have my business become more automated with the utilization of plaster casting techniques to reproduce designs efficiently, and employee(s) to carry out portions of my process and allow me more time to be creative and innovative in the studio.
What is the purpose of this loan?
This kiva loan will allow me to begin paying a high school student who has already been assisting me once a week and also hire one more studio assistant. I will use the funds to purchase materials to begin a slip-casting operation in which molds are made and liquid clay can be poured to mass produced. Materials for this process include a pouring table that needs to be built, mixers, and plaster for molds.
I will also use the funds to set up a gallery in the front of the store where I am now working from the back room of the space. This will require shelving and tables for products to be displayed on. I have already partially filled the space with the work of other local artists, makers, and farm products, and have a small bakery and coffee shop that serves locally sourced food and drinks. Visit http://www.facebook.com/Brasstowngeneral to find out more. The space is ready to be filled with my own work and will be open daily for local customers and visiting tourists to shop.
I also plan to supplement the shop income with profits from a pottery painting business which will also be located inside the store. Customers will be able to plan parties or drop in and paint a piece of pre-fired pottery. To start up this aspect of my business I will need to purchase a small kiln, brushes, bulk transparent glaze, and colored underglazes. I have experience managing this business model from my prior work experience managing the Florida State University Art Center in college.
Any extra money from the loan will then be used to help with branding, including a logo design and new website, as well as advertising locally and on social media.
My goal is to completely overhaul my business to make it more efficient and create enough working capitol to allow for new designs and products to constantly be developed and produced, as well as grow my existing wholesale business and begin selling more work locally while creating an enjoyable space for the local community to interact and participate in creative processes.