Part-time clay studio and sales assistant.
Application deadline: July 10 2024

This is a position for 15+ hours/week at $18.46/h with weekend work in Durham, NC. 

Doora ceramics is a small independent artist clay studio located in downtown Durham, NC. I make one-of-a-kind functional ceramics that tell stories through incorporating materials like vintage textiles and plants. All work is handbuilt slab work. I sell predominantly in-person at local arts and crafts markets with some online and gallery sales. 

I am looking for a new studio and sales assistant. My assistant will work with me in the clay studio on all aspects of handbuilding functional pottery - from rolling out slabs to forming mugs to painting and glazing bowls. Qualified applicants must have experience in handbuilding functional pottery. You are competent in forming slab cylinders and attaching bottoms and handles. 

You will also be tasked with regularly selling doora ceramics pottery at local markets (two Saturdays/month mostly at the Durham Craft/Farmers’ Market (6:00am - 1:00pm) plus additional shows during the holidays). The assistant will set up and break down the market stand, engage with customers and explain how doora ceramics are made, take payments and wrap work. 

You will be joining an independent artist studio that is driven to create meaningful functional ceramics and bring joy into peoples’ lives. The studio is a collaborative work environment, and you should be comfortable bringing your own ideas as well as incorporating feedback into your work and process. You will be able to create your own work schedule in consultation with me and the monthly tasks at hand. The studio shares amenities with my family’s residence and you will occasionally be in our house.  


You are:

  • Ready to balance part-time work with your other responsibilities and committed to a longer-term working relationship. As you know from your own experience working with clay, training takes time. This is not a quick summer job but I like for us to work together for a minimum of one year and longer.

  • Experienced in handbuilding pottery (no wheel throwing skills required). You must be sufficient in forming slab cylinders and attaching bottoms and handles. You can replicate designs and are quick to make small, uniform series of claywork.

  • Available to work on weekends; more during the holiday season. 

  • Able to work early Saturday mornings twice/month (e.g. Durham Craft/Farmers’ Market hours = 6:00am - 1:00pm). 

  • Have your own transportation/ability to transport yourself, claywork and market furniture to markets.

  • Excited to engage with clients and help them find the perfect piece of art for their needs.

  • Detail oriented, punctual and calm. You can handle sales, money and inventory at the market. You know how to engage customers and how to keep them satisfied during longer checkout lines. 

Bonus if you are also:

  • Excited to explore textures on clay and intrigued by textiles and plant materials.

  • Love Farmers' Markets and Craft Fairs. 

  • Interested in helping grow the studio’s online shop and online marketing.

  • Willing to contribute to other creative projects as needed.


I am offering:

  • 15 hours of work per week (more during the holidays and as the studio grows)

  • A flexible schedule that connects your needs and the studio’s tasks

  • A livable wage ($18.46/hour) 

  • Holiday bonus pay

  • A studio that understands the importance of work-life balance.

LGTBQ+, BIPOC, immigrants, those who are/have been system-impacted, experienced systemic oppression, and/or gender-based violence are encouraged to apply.