Business Opportunities
Decorating ceramics has been an inspiring pastime for years for adults and children alike. In the recent past enthusiasts turned to their local pottery or hobby ceramics studios to paint under-glazes onto greenware (unfired ceramic pieces hand crafted or manufactured using a traditional potters wheel or slip cast, using plaster moulds). The colour would then be fired into the greenware to make decorated bisque. This bisque would then be refired after an application of transparent glaze. Similarly, coloured glazes were often applied directly onto bisque to make equally attractive pieces for the hobbyist. The greatest and most disappointing disadvantage of such processes was the risk of damage to the fragile clay pieces during the cleaning process (fettling) and thereafter during handling while decorating.
Recently, under-glazes have been developed than can be applied directly onto bisque. The painted bisque can then be covered in a transparent glaze either by dipping into a glaze bucket or painting two or three over coats of glaze. The item can then be fired in the traditional way.
Kilns have also not escaped revolution. Gone are the days of using coal or gas as the fuel to heat kilns. Safe and economical user-friendly computer controlled kilns are now readily available at reasonable prices, some that just plug in to your standard household electricity supply.
These developments have inspired many hobbyists to follow their interest in the comfort of their own homes. Our package at the end of this section is all you need to follow suit.
It is this resurgence of creative spirit that has suddenly found its way into the market place and provides an uniquely different business opportunity for those who enjoy a little entrepeneurial and artistic flare. Clay cafes or studios are springing up all over the world. Put simply, it is a place where children and adults can go for an hour or two's painting, leave their masterpiece behind for it to be glazed and fired, and collect the finished item a few days later. Country Love Ceramics is the UK leader in the field of training and business development for these studios, acting as a one stop shop for all their needs. The set up costs are remarkably low while the potential profit margins are incredibly high. Contact us via our web link if you need more information on these opportunities.
For many people, the thought of commiting themselves to a shop lease and other costs associated with establishing a high street business is just not a tenable proposition. An even lower cost and commitment option is now available. The Mobile Party plan.
Mobile Party operators generally use their own home as their base. A garage or large wooden shed is all that is needed to glaze and fire the painted pieces. Hence, using the same principles of operation as the high street studios, party planners seek business from undertaking painting parties for both children and adults in the homes of their customers. Additional mobile venues can be village halls, schools, nursing homes, fetes, bazaars, clubs and pubs. There is no end to the opportunities that exist!
If you feel confident to start a business right away the package below is all you need to test the market. But the most sensible option is to book yourself onto a Country Love Ceramics New Business Training Course! Please see our Training and Development section on this site. There are a number of Lease Hire package options also listed below and we explain these fully on the New Business Training course. We look forward to hearing from you!
Small Business Start-Up Packages
Above is a picture which shows some of the items included in
a typical small business start-up pack. The basic ingredients
are as follows:
45 litre kiln (1.6 cubic ft). This kiln will operate on a standard household 13 amp power supply and can be plugged into sockets in your garage, shed or kitchen. It is fully automatic and we will help you load the programmes you require. It will hold up to 40 standard size coffee mugs.
Starter Package Total = £ 1100.55 excluding VAT
Opening order discount = 44% on discountable goods(discountable goods are shown above marked with an asterisk)
Option 1
This is a fixed price option of £1100.55 + VAT & Delivery and is amazing value!
Option 2
Option 2 is a flexible option! Tell us what you want and we will provide you with a quote!
Lease Hire Packages
Even though the start-up costs are relatively low, not everyone is in the financial position to launch a new business or, if already trading, replace their ageing kilns and other equipment. Country Love Ceramics offer a range of Lease Hire options for those about to launch a new business or for existing customers ready to re-equip. In general terms, we offer three packages but all can be customised to suit individual needs. Each package is over a 3-year lease hire period and is tax deductible. At the end of the lease, full title of the goods can be obtained by making one additional month's payment. Otherwise, ownership of the goods passes to the Lease Hire company. All options are subject to credit approval and payments subject to VAT.
These packages offer the opportunity to get your business off to the right start!
We can provide a comprehensive start-up package valued at around £2500 for mobile or party plan businesses for as little as £21.98 per week. The package consists of a small or medium kiln, bisque, glaze, colour, brushes and accessories besides one-year membership of the Guild of Ceramic Studios. Guild marketing literature and one day of intensive practical instruction is included in the package.
We can provide a comprehensive start-up package for ceramic studio/café businesses package valued at around £5000 for as little as £47.61 per week (possibly, just two additional customers into your shop per week!). The package consists of a large ceramic kiln, bisque, glaze, colour, brushes and accessories besides one-year membership of the Guild of Ceramic Studios. Additionally, we can include a small enamelling kiln, products and instruction to enhance your studio's capability. Guild marketing literature and two days of intensive practical instruction on site for you and your staff is included in the package.
Valued at £2000 this option is for existing studios or mobile businesses wishing to re-equip with such things as a new kiln, coffee machine or develop new creative product capabilities in enamelling and or glass fusion.. At just £19.05 per week it makes sense to re-equip!