Education · 1 of 4

The path

There is no qualification. The path is hours on the wheel and a body of work people want to buy.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Take every art class, and ceramics specifically if your school has a kiln. Start photographing your work now.

2. 2

   Learn the material

   6 months to 2 years

   Community studio classes or a community college ceramics course. Cheap, hands on, and enough to find out if you actually like clay.

3. 3

   A degree, if you want one

   4 years

   A Bachelor of Fine Arts gives you four years of studio time, critique and access to kilns you could never afford. It is optional, not required.

4. 4

   Build a body of work

   2 to 4 years

   A recognizable line of pieces, made repeatedly and well. This is what galleries, shops and customers respond to, not one good piece.

5. 5

   Set up to sell

   Ongoing

   Your own kiln or studio membership, a business license from your state, an online shop and a market schedule.