Ceramics Business Resources
What it’s really like to make a living from the things you make
Candid business guidance and photography education for makers who want real talk, practical support, and people who get it - whether you’re just starting or ready to go full-time.
Creating your art should be sustainable
without hustle culture BS
You’re tired of the disconnect between the internet’s shiny success stories and the reality of your limited Saturday morning studio time.
You’ve asked a question in a Facebook group only to get fifty conflicting answers and a comment thread full of people arguing over the “right” way. You’ve seen the Instagram posts guaranteeing you can hit six figures if you just raise your prices and “know your worth.” And if you eyeroll one more time at the “hustle harder, but first coffee” mantras, you might lose a pupil forever.
You’ve watched makers online who seem to have it all figured out while you’re still wondering if you’re even allowed to call yourself a business owner (after all, is it a business if it’s a side hustle or “just” a hobby?).
Here’s the truth:
Making a living from the things we make IS possible.
But it takes a heck of a lot more than viral reels and productivity hacks. It takes tangible things like knowing your numbers, and less tangible things like believing you can do it even when sh*t gets hard (and it can be super hard some days!).
With practical tools, honest guidance, and fellow makers who understand why you’d rather spend your entire weekend with clay-covered hands than anywhere else, you can actually take meaningful steps towards building the creative life of your dreams.
That’s what The Maker’s Playbook offers.
At The Maker’s
Playbook, you’ll find:
Photography courses designed to help you create better product images in less time—because you’d rather be making than editing.
Business resources built on 15 years of real-world self-employment (not a get-rich-quick scheme that worked once and then magically became a course).
Plus, best of all, a Community of makers who are there for you in the messy middle, reminding you of your wins, and living out our core belief: Together, we’ve got this.
Start wherever you are
The Community
A virtual home for makers building sustainable creative businesses. Quarterly masterclasses on essential business subjects, live implementation sessions, co-working hangouts, and ongoing support..
Photography Resources
Two courses designed specifically for makers who need better images faster, plus an ever-growing library of free videos that will help you improve immediately using the gear (or lack thereof) you already have on hand.
The Podcast
Peel back the sparkly curtain of Instagram and listen to candid conversations with fellow makers, at every stage of their creative practice, about what it’s really like to make a living from the things we make.
In their own words
“I cannot tell you how helpful this course was for not only improving the composition and style of our photos, but also for showing us how to take photos in a fraction of the time! We 100% recommend this course for any potter who struggles to capture [their pots] on camera! Worth every penny!”
-Lisa & David of Dault Pottery
“I find this community exceptionally helpful and supportive as opposed to any social media platforms. It’s a uniquely global community that still has a small-town feel.”
-Connie, member since 2022
Hey there.
I’m Rebecca.
I’m a hobby potter, professional photographer, and the Type-A brain behind The Maker’s Playbook. I’ve spent over 15 years building creative businesses—including one that reached over $300k in annual revenue.
And it all taught me that success isn’t just about growth.
It’s about building something sustainable that actually fits the life you want.
I started The Maker’s Playbook to create a place for support that was desperately missing from the internet: candid, nuanced, and most of all, practical for makers.
See if we’re a
good fit
(aka some of my fav episodes)
Ep 709: The Truth About Growing Your Creative Business in 2026
We’re bombarded with messages telling us we’re missing some secret key to business success—especially at the start of a new year—so let’s dig into what that’s all actually about.
Ep 401: Making a Living with Danny Meisinger
When I say “making a living” what do you think I mean? Do you immediately think of income and how much money you make? Or do you think of how you spend your time? Do you think of the balance between working hours and leisure hours? There’s no one right answer, but Danny definitely gives us some very helpful perspective during this chat.
Ep 621: Can You Make a Living from a $45 Mug?
Can you make a viable living from creating a wheelthrown mug that you charge $45 for? According to a video currently racing around the internet, the answer is no. But is that true?
Stuck wondering if you’re doing this all “wrong”?
Take this quick quiz to discover which of the 5 maker archetypes matches how you naturally work—so you can stop forcing yourself into strategies that drain you and start building with confidence.
Feeling Overwhelmed?
Not sure if you need a course, a community, or just a place to start? That’s okay. Begin wherever feels most manageable: discover your maker archetype with the quiz, get better at photography, or find your people in The Community. There’s no wrong door here.