How I Molded My Pottery Hobby Into a Steady Paycheck

Helen Levi, 29, turned her hobby—pottery—into her paycheck. Here’s how to make that happen.

I’ve been making things out of clay since my parents enrolled me in a ceramics class in first grade. I made everything from tiny animals to mugs and bowls. I kept at it through high school and college, and eventually taught myself new techniques by reading and watching YouTube videos. After I graduated I had a series of part-time gigs in New York City—waitressing, working as a photo assistant—and was making pieces on the side. Then I met fashion designer Steven Alan at an event in 2013. He liked my colorful tumblers, simple off-white teacups, and terra-cotta planters, and placed an order for his new home-goods store. That was huge for me. I put all my energy into my business, and soon I was making plates for a Manhattan sushi restaurant and porcelain necklaces for a store in Brooklyn. I went from sharing a studio with 30 other potters to working out of my own space. I’m still not a big name, but I’m doing what I love and making a living while being authentic to me.

On my average day...

I get to the studio around 10:00 A.M. after taking my business partner—that would be my dog, Billy—for a walk. I check on whatever pieces I threw (that’s potterspeak for shaping clay on the wheel) the day before. I might put handles on a mug or apply glaze. I do my best work in the afternoon; that’s when I’ll try out new ideas or tweak old ones.

The hardest part of my job...

I have a lot to balance: paperwork, sales, taxes, finding clay at the best price. My kilns are like cars: They need upkeep all the time! I didn’t know anything about electrical work, so I had to learn. And I have to promote myself. Sometimes you don’t want to be like, “Hey, look at what I’m doing.” But no one’s going to do that for you. I have to put myself out there.