Home pottery studio selling mugs and tableware

Gift shoppers, home cooks, people who like handmade items, and buyers at craft fairs and online shops.

You sell each piece at a retail price through your own website, marketplaces and seasonal markets. Custom sets and gift orders can bring higher prices.

• Wheel throwing or hand building
• Glazing and kiln firing
• Photographing and describing your work
• Patience and consistent quality

• Kiln needs proper ventilation, electrical capacity and fire safety, so check with your insurer and a qualified electrician
• Home-based business rules, zoning and noise or dust limits vary by municipality, so check before setting up
• Glazes for food-safe pieces should be properly labelled and fired, and check Health Canada guidance on lead and cadmium release from ceramics
• Clay dust is a health risk, so use wet cleaning methods and a suitable mask
• Commercial general liability insurance, plus GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold
• Shipping breakage, so plan sturdy packaging

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $10,000, depending on the kiln, wheel, glazes, tools and packaging you buy. Getting quotes and considering used equipment can help you plan your own budget.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $3,500, depending on how many pieces you make, your prices, and whether you sell online, at craft markets or both. Plan for shipping breakage too.

Check kiln ventilation, electrical capacity and fire safety with your insurer and a qualified electrician. Also check municipal home-based business and zoning rules, Health Canada guidance on food-safe glazes, liability insurance, and GST/HST registration.