Sales Portal
The Brantford Potters' Guild Standards
for sales and exhibitions
The Standards Committee shall consist of a Chairperson and members appointed by the Chairperson as needed.
Objective
The objective of the Standards Committee of The Brantford Potters’ Guild is to ensure the presentation of well-crafted pottery of original design for exhibition and sale. The jurying of pots by the Standards Committee is to protect the potter, the Guild, and the public and to encourage and maintain a high level of craftsmanship in the Guild. Pottery submitted to the Potters’ Guild for display or sale will be judged on the basis of quality according to the following guidelines.
Procedures
When members of the Standards Committee are unable to accept a pot for display or sale, they will place the pot under the potter’s sale table with an accompanying explanation. The pot will not be juried a second time for that show or sale. If rejection is expressed by more than one Standards Committee member, it will be final.
General Guidelines for all Pottery Design
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The guild encourages original design.
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The object should perform the function for which it is intended.
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Clays, glazes, and decorations should be suitable to the function of the object.
Construction
Mixed media is acceptable as long as clay is the major focus.
The Guild accepts pottery formed by coil, slab, wheel, etc., and the use of handmade moulds or any combination thereof. Commercial moulds, bisque or greenware are unacceptable (i.e. commercial tiles are unacceptable).
Glaze flaws, e.g., crazing, crawling, pin holing, blistering, pitting, shivering, where detrimental to function, are unacceptable. (Refer to Daniel Rhodes’ book Clay and Glazes for the Potter.) Crazing is allowed, providing the clay body is mature (vitrified). It is to your benefit to know if your clay body is vitrified. The Guild will not be responsible for damage occurring from vessels with crazed glaze on unvitrified clay.
Finishing
Clay and glaze are to be fired to maturing point.
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Extremely dry matte glazes are not recommended for food surfaces.
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Lead glazes and under glazes containing lead are not acceptable.
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Bloating is unacceptable.
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Functional details must perform their function: bases must be smooth and steady, lips must pour, spouts must be non-drip, rims must be smooth, lids must fit, handles must facilitate holding, and containers must hold liquid if meant to do so.
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Electrical appliances or any items that require an electrical cord must have a genuine CSA label stating that the cord has been CSA approved.
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Dual purpose items must function for both purposes; for example, milk bag containers with spouts must meet the standards for ‘pourability’ as with any other pitcher.
Specific Guidelines for Pottery
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Non-functional pieces, including Raku and smoke-fired objects, will be selected by the Standards Committee on the basis of technical qualities.
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Raku pieces are not ideal for wet acidic foods – in fact, they could be potentially dangerous. In addition to the Guild Card packed with each Raku pot, the potter must apply a sticker stating that this work is for dry food and decorative use only.
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All Raku needs to be scrubbed, washed, rinsed and dried to remove debris and excessive smoke and odour.
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Shino glazes are known for their peculiarities such as crawling, crazing, and pin holing and must be identified on a sticker applied by potters to their own work.
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Since earthenware is porous, all functional surfaces in this clay body must be completely glazed, and the potter must place a sticker on each piece stating that it is not recommended for dishwasher or microwave use.
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Sgraffito pieces should be lightly sanded as greenware or bisque or damp -sponged gently when leather hard to remove barbs. Sgraffito looks wonderful alone or under a glaze, but improperly smoothed areas can cut users and handlers.
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Sculptural pieces require smooth bottoms just as much as functional ware. Extra time needs to be spent smoothing rough edges and securing joints for masks, planters, animals, figures, wall plaques, vessels, banks, etc. Nobody wants customers to cut themselves while handling our pieces.
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For oil lamps and other pottery pieces that will contain oil, bear in mind that no matter how vitrified the clay body, oil leaks eventually. If you wish to sell oil lamps at the Guild Sale, you must let the Standards Committee know that you have properly sealed the insides and bottoms of your lamps and that you have tested for oil leakage over a good period of time.
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On hanging pieces, the grooves or holes meant for hooks or nails must be substantial enough to be hung securely. Wire supports must be strong enough and appropriately secured to hold the weight of the piece.
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Anything requiring glue should be done so that the finished product has a neat and professionally finished look. All work glued to be repaired is unacceptable.
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Pottery to be displayed must be clean, not dusty, and free from signs of use.
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Unless specifically marked in the design of the lid and base, all lids must fit in all directions. Lids that fit in only one direction, lids that lock when rotated, or lids that fall off when the container is slightly moved (due to improper seating into the container) will not be accepted for Guild Sales.
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Thin flanges are unacceptable.
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Handles must be comfortable in performing their function. Casseroles and baking dishes should have handles and knobs that can be handled easily with oven mitts or potholders.
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Lids that don’t fit and pots that are tipsy or have cracks in the handles, feet or lids, or are under-fired are ‘Seconds.’ Leave your ‘Seconds’ at home. If you have questions about the acceptability of certain pieces, please bring these to the attention of a Standards Committee Member before putting your work out for display or on the table for sale. Our goal is to provide a strong professional image of the Guild to our customers. This is accomplished by ensuring that the Guild sells well-made pots – "FIRSTS".
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Post fired pigmentation is not acceptable on function work.
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Underglazes, stains. or glazes using cadmium must be a minimum 2.5 cm (1 inch) from the rim of functional ware. These are acceptable on non functional items, such as Christmas ornaments and sculpture as long as they are permanent.
Guidelines for Display
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No artificial weeds or flowers will be allowed.
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Dyed weeds will be allowed only where they are an integral part of the piece. Natural dried weeds and live plants and flowers are to be kept to a minimum.
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Live plants must be healthy and aesthetically pleasing. Pots intended to hold plants may be displayed with the plant in a removable plastic or clay pot, not planted directly in the pot.
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Christmas ornaments may be put on display stands, as well as in baskets. Jewelry is best mounted on neatly finished display boards.
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Accent cloths on tables can overhang the edge by no more that 6 inches.
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Display shelves or supports used on tables can be no more than 36 inches high. Final decisions regarding all matters of display remain with the Sales Committee.
Pricing Guidelines
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Prices should be roughly comparable for all potters for similar items, especially to avoid under-pricing. Under-pricing hurts all members of the Guild, so try to be fair when you price your pots.
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Prices may not be changed during the sale.
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All prices must be in whole dollars.
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Items must be legibly labeled with Brantford Potters Guild number/letter code and price on a single sticker. Use the following format for your label: potter’s code (e.g. ’141 DEV’) with the price (e.g. $10.00) below.
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If the price and code are not legible, the piece will not be sold.
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In the case of sets (e.g., cream and sugar), sets may be labelled A, B, etc. and labels identifying the set (A - set of 2), with the price only on one piece.
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If you are unsure how to price your pots, ask for help. Guild members are more than willing to help a newcomer.
Winter sale registration opens on October 6th at 8:00 am.
Twice a year, usually in April and December, the Guild hosts a three-day organised sale. These events are a wonderful way for us to welcome the public into the studio, share our love of pottery, and build local appreciation for the craft.
For members, the sale provides a professional venue to show and sell your best work, connect with the community, and celebrate the talent within our Guild.
All Guild members in good standing are welcome to take part in the sale. If you have studio access, you’ll need to make sure your service hours are up to date before participating.
We also encourage new members and those not selling to get involved. Helping out is a great way to learn how the sales are run and prepare for when you might want to participate in the future.
All potters who wish to take part in the sale are required to work two shifts during the event. There are a variety of roles available, including cashier, wrapper, decorator, supervisor, and more.
Please note that these sale shifts are a requirement of participation and do not count towards your regular Guild service hours.
All participants must also be at the sale location on Friday morning at 8:00 am to set up their display, and are expected to stay with their table until their pieces have been juried.
For the winter sale, each participant is required to contribute at least two Empty Bowls to support the Brantford Food Bank fundraiser.
All potters must arrive for set up at 8:00 am on the Friday of the sale. Before unloading, please come inside the building first so we can go over all the necessary information together.
All items in the sale must meet BPG standards. During set up, your work will be reviewed to ensure it meets these guidelines.
You can view the full BPG standards by clicking on the tab above.
Pricing should be fair and respectful of the time, skill, and materials that go into creating each piece. While pricing is ultimately up to each potter, the Standards or Sales team may address pricing if it’s noticeably out of line with other similar work.
If you’re unsure where to start, you can refer to our pricing guide by clicking here, or attend one of our information nights held prior to each sale. These sessions are a great way to gain insight and build confidence in pricing your work.
Please remember to leave all seconds and sale items at home.
No. Seconds and discounted items are not permitted at our sales. These events are focused on showcasing members’ best work.
When registering for the sale, you can choose between a full table or a half table.
Full table: 8' long × 30" deep
Half table: 4' long × 30" deep
If there are any extra tables available after registration closes, we’ll offer the additional space to participants.
Yes! You’re more than welcome to customise your table with décor and linens to reflect your personal style. All additional table dressing must conform to BPG standards, which you can view by clicking the tab above.
We aim to have the December Members’ Meeting on the Monday following the sale, where participants can pick up their cheques.
If there are any changes to this plan, we’ll communicate the details by email to all participants.
We use a variety of advertising methods to attract a wide audience to the sale. This includes:
Local printed media
Social media posts and paid advertising
Signage across the city in high-traffic locations
Postcards created and distributed ahead of the sale
Save the Date cards, which we hand out at Guild events throughout the year
Each sale participant must submit 1–2 images of their work so we can help promote the event and generate excitement.
We host a photo day where you can bring in your pieces, and we’ll photograph them for you. If you prefer to take your own photos, please make sure they are high quality, well-lit, and have a clean, non-distracting background.
Images that don’t meet these requirements will not be shared.
Empty Bowls is a movement by artists and craftspeople around the world to raise money for food-related charities that support those in need. It began as a way for the arts community to help people struggling to access food.
At our winter sales, Empty Bowls are sold for $30 each, with 100% of the proceeds donated to the Brantford Food Bank. Your support makes a meaningful difference to both our Guild and the wider community.
All those who participate in the sale must contribute at least two bowls for this fundraiser. Bowls should be made using approximately 1.25 to 1.5 pounds of clay, and be an appropriate size to hold 12–16 ounces of soup.
Potters who are not participating in the sale are also encouraged to donate bowls, and those who sell bowls will receive a tax receipt from the Brantford Food Bank.
Have questions about the sales? These FAQ's are a great place to start!
Terms & Conditions
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All participating potters must be members in good standing with the Brantford Potters’ Guild. Please refer to the BPG Policies & Procedures for full details.
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Each participant is required to work two shifts during the sale.
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Cash register records are the only official record of sales. All items for sale remain the sole responsibility of the participant. The Brantford Potters’ Guild assumes no liability for lost, stolen, broken, or damaged items.
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A $50 table deposit is required at the time of registration. Potters who withdraw from the sale will not receive a refund of this deposit. Those who complete the sale will have their deposit returned on the same cheque as their sales payments.
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Participants who cancel within three weeks of the sale will forfeit their opportunity to participate in the following sale.
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If a participant is unable to work their full shift, arrives late, or needs to leave early, they must notify the shift supervisor and/or sales coordinators. Failure to do so may result in ineligibility to participate in the next sale.
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The Brantford Potters’ Guild will retain 20% of all sales.
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All pottery displayed for show or sale must meet Brantford Potters’ Guild standards.
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Participants in the Winter Sale must donate a minimum of two empty bowls.