Monday is Etsy Maine Team Day

Maine has some amazing talent living within its borders. Being part of the Etsy Maine Team has introduced me to the work of others that I may not have ever had a chance to see. One of those people is Dorothy Winchell of Winchell Clayworks. She has an awesome etsy shop that has a whole slew of clay items to wear or use in your own creative endeavors. She very nicely agreed to this interview.

1. Would you please share some brief details about you such as location, upbringing, school etc?

My name is Dorothy Winchell and I started selling as Winchell Clayworks in 2008. I am a lifelong Mainer, raised in North Berwick, educated at Berwick Academy and the University of New England (in Biddeford). I now reside in Acton with my husband and nearly 3 year old son. I am the youngest of five children in a family where we were encouraged to create; at 10 my father signed me up for art lessons and I haven't looked back since. Those art lessons gave me the building blocks to try out whatever arts and crafts strike my fancy. At this point I've tried just about everything, but as the family joke goes, "I don't knit. I leave fiber arts to Joan" (my sister).


2. What motivates your creativity? Any interesting bits of info about your process (like you only work in your studio to Liberace music)?

I used to work with the radio on, but since I had my son I relish a few minutes of quiet. I try to work during his afternoon naps now. I finally got my studio set up this spring, so now I can just go in and work, which is a blessing; before, I would have to set up and pick up, eating into my "free" time.

I'm still working on getting a rhythm to my production process, but it's not easy when there are so many things you want to do in so little time. I try to do similar things at once to streamline production (ie all textured pendants at once, all glazing at once, etc).

I decided this spring that rather than beat myself up over what I wasn't getting done, I need to just do what I can and be happy with it. To that end I have a sketchbook where I jot down ideas, and a large envelope where I stash magazine clippings of designs, color schemes, textures, etc. Maybe someday I'll get to it all....


3. When you are creatively exhausted how do you rest up and refill the creative well?

The best thing for me to do is just sit down and work. I might not get anything good made (and one of the benefits of clay is you can mush it up and put it back in the bin), but more often than not, I'll get an idea while I'm plugging away, then I'm off! Other times I'll read about a new technique in a book or magazine, and I'll try to incorporate that into my new work. There aren't many books on ceramic bead making, so I draw a lot of inspiration from polymer and metal clay books. For those days when I don't have a chance to get in the studio, reading keeps me fresh. It gives me a well of techniques and ideas to draw from when I need them.

4. The business of selling your work is far less enjoyable to most then the actual making of product. What have you done or would do differently in being someone who must deal with the business of selling work?

I had hoped to sign on some wholesale accounts this spring, but I found that with my son I just don't have the time to put into it (I'm thankful I realized it before I sent packages out to shops). For awhile I was beating myself up about it, but I then decided that I'm human, I'm young, and I can always expand the business in the future.

If you hope to make Etsy a full time business, I strongly suggest you read some business books, especially some that cover basic accounting. One of my degrees is in accounting, and that has made it so much easier for me to figure pricing and to make business decisions. Write out a business plan. It doesn't have to be formal, and it's not set in concrete, but it does give you some direction.


And if you find you're not cut out for selling, there's nothing wrong with that. You have to make decisions that are right for you.

5. Where do you see your work taking you?

I'm not sure right now. I'm just enjoying the ride. It helps me immensely when I'm dealing with a temperamental toddler; clay is way cheaper than therapy!!!

6. Any particular websites you visit regularly?

I recommend Modish Biz Tips for the wealth of business information provided.

For ceramic artists, I recommend Ceramic Arts Daily --lots of free downloads, videos, and more. Great for new techniques and inspiration.

I'm on Flickr a lot, checking out what other people are making. Sometimes that's enough to spur me in a new direction, or it tells me I'm on the wrong path and need to backtrack. Although I'm not terribly interested in fashion, I'm not naive enough to think that it doesn't matter to me; if I want to sell what I make, I need to be aware of what is out there.

7. What are your 3 top favorite foods and why?
At this point, anything that anyone else cooks for me! I love a good ribeye, whoopee pies are my biggest weakness in the sweets department, and baked potatoes with lots of sour cream and butter. Hey, you didn't ask for healthy!


Thanks Dorothy for sharing with us your work, inspiration and tips.

Interested folks can also check out her blog

clay ceramics winchell+clay+works beads bisque