FAQs
Clayworksby_ab are unfired. What are the pros and cons of this method?
1
Personally I consider the pros of unfired clay to be:
- the rawness allows the clay to age with time just as everything in nature as clay is from the earth afterall!
- modern methods of firing clay are not really that sustainable and have effects on the environment and the very earth that it came from.
- I quite like the fragility and unconventional nature of this in such a saturated art world. It means care and consideration is needed, which is also what goes into its creation!
The cons would be:
- my pieces cannot come into contact with water or high temperatures as a fired piece would eg cannot be used as a vase or to eat off like a plate.
- yes the clay ages with time but with the care outlined above very minimally.
- it would not survive a volcanic eruption or for thousands of years as fired pieces would, but it would survive 20+ years in your space
- my pieces are more fragile and involve more care and less contact.
Why do you currently only ship within the UK & Belgium?
2
As you will see from my website and socials, sustainable practices and accessibility of my work are important to me! When exploring shipping outside of UK & Belgium, the costs and logistics of this were in direct conflict with those principles. Please do reach out to me if price is not a barrier for you and we can work something out. Also, I have been known to find very creative solutions to get a piece to a happy client, so please reach out for that too!
What is a sliding scale pricing model?
3
A sliding scale pricing model is a flexible structure where the cost of a product is adjusted dynamically based on my clients financial capacity, most commonly measured by income or ability to pay. e.g. lower-income earners pay less than higher-income earners. This approach is also access-driven, designed to promote equity and inclusivity for marginalised groups. The ‘Green Bottle’ model is useful in understanding this concept!
Why do you use a sliding scale model?
4
As someone who is passionate about ceramics, clay, etc. I would love to own pieces made by other amazing artists and to support them too! However, price is almost always a barrier for me. It is not that I wouldn’t invest in a piece that spoke to me, it’s that I couldn’t afford it even if I wanted to. I find that a shame for me and for the artist - hopefully you can tell from my website that connecting through clay is also a passion for me! To be honest, I really hate the idea of only high-earners owning my art, as we see enough of this favouring the rich already. I am still on my own journey with my pricing and am learning a lot about what makes up the price of a piece e.g. large shipping costs, materials, kiln use etc. I am also learning that people find sliding-scale pricing an intimidating model and find it hard to talk about finances. My negotiating style is direct but gentle, don’t worry!
How can I contact you?
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You can reach me anytime via the contact page or email. I aim to respond quickly—usually within one business day. Instagram is also a good way to reach me!