Glazed Over

Bridging the Gap between clay studios and PYOP studios with Ben Clark from Queen City Clay

This podcast interview focused on Ben Clark from Queen City Clay discussing the integration of Paint Your Own Pottery (PYOP) into their 50,000 square foot clay studio. Ben explained how PYOP has been operating for about 9 years and serves as both a gateway for new customers to experience clay and a profitable business component. The studio uses three dedicated kilns for low-fire pottery painting, operates in a 1,000 square foot space with seating for 30 people, and offers seasonal items like Christmas trees and Easter pieces. Ben discussed staffing arrangements, glaze options, and the educational approach to pottery painting, noting that proper sampling and instructional materials were key lessons learned early on. The PYOP area creates a different energy than the main clay studio, more like a social environment where people meet and share experiences, while also helping with diversity in the studio and serving accessibility needs for those with sensory issues or who cannot work with wet clay.

Branding That Actually Feels Like Something

Hillary  Moullilet   of The Creative Retailer joins us to talk about the power of branding in paint-your-own pottery studios and how it shapes the customer experience. Drawing from her journey as a multi-studio owner, Hillary shares how consistent branding goes far beyond logos — it lives in your space, your systems, and your staff. We discuss creating welcoming first impressions, involving your team in delivering your brand, and simple strategies like mystery shopping and brand checklists to stay aligned. This episode is a must-listen for studio owners ready to build a more intentional, cohesive, and memorable business.

What Your Studio Is Actually Worth

This week on Glazed Over, we sit down with Donna Bordeaux of PYOP Accounting, who has spent more than a decade helping studio owners understand the numbers behind their businesses. Donna explains why every studio owner should think about an exit plan from day one, even if selling feels far away. We talk about what actually creates studio value — from strong bookkeeping and documented processes to reviews, social media presence, and a transferable brand. Plus, Donna shares practical advice on leases, business valuation, and the systems that make your studio easier to grow and eventually sell.

Where to Find Resources for Studio Operations

This week on Glazed Over, we’re joined by Louise Blazucki of Kiln Creations, who shares how she doubled revenue and grew her team after buying the studio on a two-week decision. We talk about defining your studio’s “why,” building a community-driven team, setting sales goals, and creating operating systems that keep a creative business running smoothly. If you love the nuts and bolts of studio ownership, this episode is full of practical insights you can use right away.

What’s Trending in 2026 (And How to Use It in Your Studio)

In this episode, Ammie Williams helps us break down design trends spotted at the Atlanta Market gift show and what they actually mean for pottery studios. From cherries, mushrooms, and nautical themes to oversized hand-built pieces, textures, and earthy tones, we talk through what’s here to stay, what’s evolving, and how to translate trend forecasting into real clay projects. We also dive into stoneware, cone 6 glazes, mixed media techniques, and why experimentation, not perfection, is what keeps your studio creatively relevant.