Art Teacher Draws Her Way Into Ceramic Shop

Notes from Chris

Episode 1071

Lisa Long has been a creator for as long as she can remember, eventually studying for a career as an art teacher.

When her son was born, Lisa decided that she needed to have some sort of side hustle. She was a single mom, and raising a family on a teacher’s salary was just not cutting it.

So, during that year’s holiday season, Lisa molded and sold a bunch of ceramic pots. She ended up earning $600 and felt like she could be onto something. Next, she decided to save up her money to buy a kiln and pottery wheel, with the aim of making her very own studio at home.

Then, in early 2019, Lisa was approached by a friend who worked as a coach, to create “touchstones” for her clients. That friend wanted her clients to have a physical reminder of what they learned at the retreats she facilitated.

Lisa designed the touchstones in a unique way. Rather than incorporating a crystal, she used small ceramic stones with words like “freedom,” “kindness,” and “peace” imprinted on them. She also made ceramic mugs with a word of intention etched into the side.

It was a bold choice, and the gifts went over well—so well that her business coach suggested she should sell the touchstones to a broader audience. Lisa’s initial reaction was “No way” … it would just be too much work.

But the idea stayed with her. One night, she woke up with touchstone designs swirling around in her head. The next day, she got to work, creating three types of packages she’d sell under the name “Intentional Touchstones”.

That was February 5th of 2019. By February 25th, Lisa launched the new product line. She used Wix to host her newly revised website.

At the time, Lisa thought that Intentional Touchstones maybe her sole brand. A bunch of her friends and family members were buying them, and she got a lot of requests from life coaches.

Unfortunately, long-term sales did not match expectations. While people were still buying the products, they weren’t buying enough for it to be her only venture.

Not ready to stop, Lisa decided to combine all of her creative pursuits into one hustle, called Lisa Long Designs. She still sells the stones, but most of her profits now come from her pottery.

Here’s the point: Lisa learned a lot of important skills from developing that product line. She now knows how to work with lasers, for example. Intentional Touchstones also provided the perfect platform for Lisa to combine her love of pottery and digital art.

This side hustle currently makes anywhere from $1,500 to $2,000 a month from her various products. Every now and then, she’ll have an off month where she makes closer to $500, but it always picks back up.

She’s also still making passive income from her Skillshare classes, and attending art shows. Lately, she’s been selling handmade jewelry, cups and mugs at a local boutique.

 

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MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Lisa Long Designs: Check out al of Lisa's beautiful creations on her website.

 

SEE ALSO:

• Successful Artist Adds $1,000/Month to His Income: An artist uses his love of whimsical drawing to create a side hustle selling everything from autographed prints to coffee mugs with his designs on them.
• Farm Certification Specialist Turns Pottery Passion Into Hustle: What if you have more than one passion? It probably means you’re normal. In today’s episode, a California man integrates his love for agriculture and pottery.
• South Carolina Transplant Creates Watercolor Stationery Brand: A new resident of Charleston, South Carolina pursues a passion for watercolor print design. She ends up creating a stationery brand of prints, cards, mugs, and notebooks inspired by the coastal lifestyle.

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,