The Warwick Pottery Newsletter - July 2026
July is here, and its (our kiln) been hot, hot, hot! This month, we're locking in on market table prep and best practices for our upcoming show in November. - Marilyn
REMINDER: Our Annual Show is coming up!
This year, our Annual Pottery Show & Sale will be held on the Sunday before Thanksgiving — the perfect time to gather, shop, and celebrate handmade work! 2026 Annual Pottery Show Details When: Sunday, November 22, 2026 Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Where: Warwick Valley Community Center @ 11 Hamilton Ave., Warwick, NY 10990
If you are a student and would like to sign-up, please click here. If you are interested in volunteering, please click here.
A Note from Marilyn
Dear Potters,
Thank you for participating in this year’s Warwick Pottery Holiday Show & Sale! It is truly my pleasure to share your beautiful work with the public. You have spent countless hours learning, creating, and refining your craft, and you deserve the recognition and exposure that this show provides.
Here are a few details to help everyone prepare:
Tables: Unless you have requested a small café table, your display table will be 6 feet long and 2½ feet wide.
Chairs: Warwick Pottery will provide two chairs for each table. We do our best to make every display area as uniform as possible, including matching table heights and chairs. If you have a physical need that requires a different chair or another accommodation, please let me know as soon as possible.
Electricity: Please note that there is no guarantee of an electrical outlet near your table.
Table Placement: Table assignments will be arranged by Marilyn. If you have a physical need that requires a particular location, please let me know ahead of time, and I’ll be happy to consider it.
Table Fee: The table fee for the show is $45.
Breakfast & Lunch: To help make the day enjoyable for everyone, I’ll be providing coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and muffins for breakfast. For lunch, we’ll enjoy delicious pizza from Fra Nico’s! Refreshments will be available in an area reserved exclusively for our potters.
Thank you again for being part of this wonderful event. Every year I look forward to seeing the community center transformed into a beautiful gallery filled with your creativity, talent, and hard work. I know this year’s show will be another memorable experience, and I can’t wait to celebrate it with all of you.
With gratitude,
What's New @ Warwick Pottery
Thank you, Cheryl!
We're sending a BIG thank you to Cheryl C for picking up some studio supplies in Lodi for us! Thanks, Pat!
Thank you to Pat for the newest addition to our library!
250 Tips, Techniques and Trade Secrets for Potters by Jacqui Atkin offers tips for saving time and money when making pottery, ideas for creative touches to add to a piece, and step-by-step instructions with photographs that demonstrate different techniques.
Creating a Table That Sells
Our Holiday Pottery Show on Sunday, November 22 is quickly approaching! While beautiful pottery is the heart of every booth; presentation is what invites people to stop, browse, and buy! Your display tells visitors who you are before they pick up a piece.
Note: Each table is 6 feet long and 2½ feet wide. Think of your table as your own little gallery. Give your work room to breathe, create a sense of movement, and let each piece shine.
Display at Three Levels
The most inviting displays have height. Rather than placing everything on the tabletop, create three levels using sturdy risers, boxes hidden under fabric, wooden crates, shelves, or other display stands. Three levels guide the eye upward and make your booth feel professional and interesting.
Display at Three Price Points
People arrive with different budgets, so it helps to offer pieces a variety of price levels.
Entry Level: These items are often impulse purchases; introducing people to your work. Items such as ornaments, spoon rests, small bowls, magnets, jewelry, or trinket trays are fantastic entry-level priced pieces.
Mid-Range: This is where many customers are most comfortable. Mugs, serving bowls, vases, berry bowls, baking dishes, and functional pieces often fit into this price point.
Featured Pieces: Reserve your highest pricing for your finest work. These pieces showcase your creativity, craftsmanship, and artistic voice. Even if your most expensive piece isn’t purchased, they elevate the entire display, helping visitors appreciate the value.
Every Piece Needs a Visible Price
One of the biggest reasons people walk away without buying is uncertainty. A clearly visible label makes customers feel comfortable and encourages them to engage with your work. Ensure every single piece has a price tag that can be read from outside your table. Many visitors are hesitant to pick up pottery because they worry about breaking it.
Don’t Crowd Your Table
It’s tempting to bring everything you’ve made, but more is not always better. A crowded table can overwhelm visitors and make individual pots disappear. Empty space isn’t wasted space; give each piece room to breath, this allows your best work to stand out. If you have extra inventory, keep it safely stored under your table, replenishing as needed.
Create a Color Story
Think about how your work looks together. Arrange pieces so colors compliment one another rather than compete. You might group warm earth tones together, cool blues together, or create a gentle progression of color across your display. Repeating colors throughout the table creates harmony and naturally draws the customers eye from one end of your booth to the other.
Let Your Booth Reflect You
Every potter has a unique voice, and your display should express it. Whether your work feels rustic, elegant, playful, modern, or colorful, your booth should tell that story. Table coverings, risers, display materials, and even the arrangement of your work all contribute to the shopping experience. Visitors aren’t simply buying a bowl or a mug. They’re taking home a small piece of the artist who created it. Thoughtful presentation honors the many hours you’ve invested and helps customers connect with your work!
Be Ready to Make the Sale
Make it easy for customers to purchase your work. Be sure to bring:
Business cards so visitors can find you after the show or contact you in the future.
Receipts for customers who would like a written record of their purchase.
Plenty of change in small bills so you can handle cash transactions easily.
A clearly displayed Venmo QR code or Venmo logo if you accept Venmo payments. Many shoppers prefer paying with their phones. Seeing the Venmo logo lets them know that option is available immediately.
Attractive paper bags or shopping bags for customers to take their purchases home. A thoughtfully presented package adds to the excitement of buying handmade pottery and leaves customers with a lasting impression of your work.
Tissue paper or a simple ribbon can make the experience feel even more special while also helping to protect the pottery.
Remember, your display doesn’t end with the sale. The way you package your pottery is the final touch in the customer’s experience. A beautiful bag carrying one of your pieces becomes an advertisement, inspiring others to stop.