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Sage Morgan | Episode 686

Sage Morgan is a studio potter living in the mountains of western North Carolina and she loves to look under rocks. Inspired by the forest floor and all things that inhabit it, you can find mushrooms and slugs as the center motif on pots to ceramic stones.

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Is there a way to balance out the rush of being a maker and still being able to enjoy this season?

Yeah, I think there is. But I think it is really setting boundaries for yourself . Don’t overwork yourself. Give yourself time to rest, my goodness. Do what you can. This is a push but at the same time you are a human being and you need to relax and you are doing all that you can. And that’s what I have been having to tell myself in the past year. Sage you work so much. And you are getting so much done. don’t be hard on yourself. Maybe you don’t carve that  extra mug that day. It’s seven o’clock, go home, eat some macaroni. Chill. You know? So I think when you are coming up in this season give yourself a break. Give yourself a break and give yourself the benefit of the doubt because you are kicking butt.

Does that mean you put a limit on how much work you are willing to make or how much time you are willing to put into it?

Yes, definitely a limit on work. I usually throw a lot of pots and prep them all to be carved. But there is a certain point, like a cut off day where I can’t carve anymore or I will just keep carving until the end of time. And that’s when I start doing detail or something like that.

How do you graciously tell people there is no more work to purchase?

Sorry, I am a human being and I can only make so much. It really is just that. thankfully I don’t get…I’ve seen some aggressive buyers from other shops and I’ve never really experienced that myself. When it comes to restocks and things selling out, mugs go very fast for me so a lot of people don’t get mugs. I really can’t do anything about that because I can only make so much. And I think a lot of makers feel that way too.

Have you ever done gift certificates for people so that it would help to even out the January and February?

I think in January and February when it is a little bit slower I would take commissions. If people wanted to projects like that if that’s what you mean.

I was thinking of gift certificates that people could give to a loved one instead of a cup. Like a presale. 

I don’t know if Etsy does that. Or if there would be an easy way for me to do that with Etsy. It would mean buying an Esty gift card maybe? I don’t think I would do that. I think that could get kind of chaotic. At least for me because I will say, proudly, a very disorganized person. And sometimes you have to say no to things you know you just won’t work well with. I think that is another thing I have had to come to terms with. I can’t do everything. Some things I will just get very anxious about in work or business relations.

Do you have a set date that is a cut off date for Christmas?

Yeah, so I usually plan my updates early December and late November so I can ship stuff out to get them on time for Christmas or whatever holiday that you celebrate.

What is one thing you do to make sure that this season is still special for you?

Being with my friends and family. I mean I think as with anyone, making sure that I am keeping connected with people and saving time for myself if I can. Talk to my parents or partner or friends back in Gainesville. Because I would just work myself to death over the last couple of years around this time. So just saying, Sage, go home and call your mom. And do it.

Book

The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien

 

Contact

Instagram: @grumpydwarfpottery