Diversifying Your Product Offerings

Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines diversify as “to produce variety,” or “to engage in varied operations.” Diversification has allowed studios to morph into multi-craft sites for creative expression.

Offering a diverse range of non-ceramics products or activities in your studio does not imply that pottery painting is going the way of the dinosaur. On the contrary, by providing diverse options we are merely meeting the demands of our customers. The do-it-yourself spirit of the contemporary studio customer has allowed us to develop customers that want more. They want us to guide them in artistic self-expression.

What were once considered studio “standards” -- pottery painting, mosaics and working with clay have expanded into such diverse offerings as glass fusing/slumping, beading, metal painting, knitting, paper crafts, canvas painting, tie-dye and silver art clays – just to name a few.

Bisque Imports offers a wide variety of mediums that have been successful in studios throughout the US and the world. Glass Fusing and Slumping (Warm Glass) is one of the hottest trends in contemporary studios today. The development of a Warm Glass Training Guide has given Bisque Imports customers a clear advantage in learning about this hot new activity.

The customizable metal shapes provided by Bisque Imports Metal Hippopotamus line offer a truly unique medium on which to paint. These steel pieces may be decorated with Magic Metallic paints or an acrylic type No-Prep Metal Paint. Your customers will enjoy the home dec quality of these unique shapes.

Beading has been a staple at Bisque Imports for years and the newly redesigned bead selection allows you to easily add a full-scale or basic beading area in your studio.

Some studios offer multiple crafts others have developed into multiple-use centers such as Florida’s Go Van Gogh. This studio looks beyond the classics of office parties, girls-night-out and birthday parties and expands into evenings of poetry reading, wine tastings and even opening studio space to churches, non-profit organizations and book clubs. It’s all about allowing the customer to grow creatively in an inspiring location.

The need for constant marketing is a must for any studio but in a ceramics-only studio we are driven to always offer something new. Bisque Imports continues to see studios open throughout the world, seasoned studio owners continue to open multiple locations and mobile studios are becoming a thriving option for those with the passion for taking the craft on the road.

The art of experience is key and studio owners must continue to keep their offerings fresh. The studios that keep consumers inspired and aware that crafting is more than just doing a project on their own will continue to see increased business.

While the face of the studio may change or the ownership behind the studio -- corporation, cruise-line offering, small studio, multi-studio -- the main thing is still the main thing...painting pottery.  It is important to remember our initial inspiration and use that as our catapult to success whether it is with bisque or knitting needles. We must remain diligent in our marketing and stay passionate about our business.