Last week, about 2,400 people responded to this Facebook Survey Request/Giveaway. Our goal was to test whether or not people might want a new feature: a low priced, pottery subscription service that gives them a more affordable way to get a Cherrico Pottery cup.
73% of people wanted this! I was super surprised, because subscriptions can be really tricky. None of us need another monthly bill. It’s also a TON of extra work for our team to keep track of subscriptions, to guarantee everything is organized, that pottery gets crafted, packed and shipped in a specific timeline.
But shipping handmade art straight to people’s doorsteps is something special. We’ve gotten better and better over time, and been able to get costs down. Our team has broken only about 3 pots in shipping in the past 3 years– out of about 9,000 total pots!
So today, we’re announcing a HUGE change to our Patreon “Fan Club” subscription service– everyone gets a pot!
NEW FEATURE: Every Patron Gets Pottery
QUESTION: “Why should I subscribe?”
Answer: You’re getting lowest possible prices, while helping Cherrico Pottery evolve. Your subscription is a HUGE help for us. It means that we don’t have to worry every month about what pottery we need to craft, kiln fire (while crossing our fingers that the firings go well) and figure out how to sell. More subscribers means that we (Sienna and Joel) can spend more time making art, and far less time selling it. We can spend longer periods of time crafting pots for once yearly mailings as our main support source. Consistent monthly support also let us be more generous with gifts, giveaways and coupons every month. Please consider subscribing here: patreon.com/cherricopottery
QUESTION: “I’m already a Patron. What changes?”
Answer: Nothing! Except that now you are getting at least one bonus piece of pottery mailed to your doorstep at no extra cost, once yearly. View all details in our “Reward Tiers” here: patreon.com/cherricopottery
QUESTION: “Can I still get pottery from your free newsletter if I don’t subscribe?”
Answer: Yep! Patrons will get first pick and consistently better coupons, but lots of great deals will still be available in the free newsletter.
QUESTION: “Can I send you a one-time payment instead?”
Answer: No, sorry. Thank you very much for considering this, though. The best way to do this is to simply buy a piece of pottery, at full price or with coupons, from cosmicmugs.com or store.cherricopottery.com.
QUESTION: “I have more questions!”
Answer: No problem. We created a detailed “Patreon Frequently Asked Questions page” on our website so you can learn all about how to create a Patreon account, update billing, learn about cancellations, refunds and more: cherricopottery.com/patreonfaq
Patreon started out as a way to support something very specific: Facebook Live videos of me making pottery.
It felt like people were simply supporting us out of the kindness of their hearts, because they loved watching the Facebook videos so much– and it also felt like a success. Our initial 200 supporter goal was reached in just a few months.
But somehow, it always comes back to the pots. People kept telling us that what they really wanted was pottery– not just to watch it being made, but to use and enjoy it in their homes.
Patreon.com/cherricopottery is now the most affordable way for you to get a piece of pottery for yourself or as a gift. Simply subscribe, sit back, and wait for your pottery to arrive, while watching it come to life on Facebook Live.
“Art: that’s what we call it when a human being makes something, something that might not work, something generous, something important. That’s what art is.”
– Seth Godin, qtd. in “Your Job is to Make Art”
