Shipping Pottery - Should you include a gift?

[@avienated]

I'm a sucker for the extra snack items I've recieved in the past. Your tumblers looks even better.

[@bobvilla7230]

Your talent is amazing! You sound very humble as well which seems to be a rare trait nowadays. Take care and keep cranking out the great videos. Also yes it is an amazing feeling when you open up an order and there is a gift along with it!

[@OldForgeCreations]

Thank you so much!

[@shaash5236]

It’s lovely to receive a gift with the order.

[@micheledickey4066]

This is really great information! Thanks so much!! As I watched you throw these I realized that you never compress the rim. I’m new to throwing, handbuilder for years. Just wondering why you don’t do that! Thanks so much. I absolutely love a little gift/surprise!! I don’t like food gifts but that’s only because I have 73 food allergies and can never have the treat. Speaking of magnets as gifts I make pendants and magnets that are the shape of the state I live in. I bought a cookie cutter in the shape of the state of Iowa and I use them as glaze tests. They are also great kiln fillers.

[@OldForgeCreations]

A shaped cutter is a great idea for regional/holiday specific shapes! And I would have said that I do compress the rim, although it's really not obvious in this video! I do it with the finger on top of the rim at the end of the first pull, but I don't stop the upwards motion to do it. So it's less of a compress than most potters would go for, but works well enough for my clay/pieces.

[@lolkittah]

Thanks so much for this video! I’m not a ceramicist by trade (only a very new hobbyist) but I am a hand made goldsmith, and this very considered take on including gifts with handmade goods is awesome. You’ve really thoughtfully and respectfully approached the topic and I’m now thinking about doing this for the first time. I especially think a hand written note is something I will include with every piece. Thanks!

[@OldForgeCreations]

Thank you, I'm so glad that it made sense and that there were aspects that might be useful for you!

[@user-yg6ft1iu1i]

I’m kind of late to the party. But I got a free piece and a magnet with a mug/ tea promotion you had a couple years ago and we enjoy them. I always include a hand written thank you note

[@carolzaleta175]

I can hear it!

[@OldForgeCreations]

I was pleased with just how clearly the mic picked it up! At one point I could barely hear myself over it, and rain that heavy is one of my all time favourite sounds

[@BurninSven1]

Looks like it is not easy to sell like before my daughters sales has lowered by roughly 50 % this fall. Money is a problem for people cause of the war in Ukraine as it seems. Electricity, fuel for cars and food is so much more expensive today so people hesitates to spend on other things like pottery for Christmasgifts. So I would take it easy with the extra gifts cause selling your normal production alone may be a little problematic for a while, at least here in Sweden. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIqleKSJa7aCZtE

[@OldForgeCreations]

While I agree with your main point, I'm not sure that you've reached the right conclusion there. If sales are harder than before, that's more of a reason to value your customers. A gift, as mentioned in the video, should make use of the difference between material cost and value to the customer. This means it costs you less than the customer benefits, while strengthening the connection and increasing the likelihood of future orders. To pick this as the time to do the opposite of that seems a little ill-conceived.

[@shaash5236]

It’s lovely to receive a gift with the order.