From clay to cash is the trick of the trade …. the potter’s secret. Converting ceramics into hard currency is of course the goal of every potter. That’s nothing new.

But the secret how to convert porcelain directly into dough, was sent to me a few weeks ago by a reader of this blog. How can ceramists convert their clay into stone cold cash?

I’ve decided to share with you the rise of the ceramcoins. Fast money for all potter’s in need, ceramic emergency money.

In the international art trade, they do the same, but on a much larger scale…

Between Art and Cash

According to the Art Basel & UBS Report In 2020, turnover in the world’s art and antiques trade fell by 22% to USD 50.1 billion. A huge decrease compared to 2019, but still 10 billion more than in 2009. So even in times of a global pandemic, huge sums are still made from art. That’s also true in my own small neck of the woods, the Netherlands.

In the arts, it’s all about big money. But how do you put this in your own pocket? Pieter van Os and Arjen Ribbens explain this. These two investigative journalists (writing in national respected papers in the Netherlands) have written a book about it, this year.

I read “BETWEEN ART AND CASH, How money corrupts the Dutch art world” in total absorption. It’s the guide on how to make quick money from the arts.

“Art is the new gold. In a world of fast-earned money, it’s an alternative to stocks, precious metals and bitcoins.”

(Between Art and Cash, P. v. Os and A. Ribbens, 2021)

Certified Artist: General World Review Online

The book is about the shady deals in the art trade. Such as Beatrix Ruf at the Stedelijk, the Moco Museum (both in Amsterdam) and Orange art flippers. It’s about fast transactions and big profits. And unfortunately: it’s usually not the artists who run off with the loot.

I especially recommend that fellow potter’s and other artists read the chapter “the promoter”. This is hilarious. My mailbox floods with projects that may or may not be well-intentioned “help to artists”. The name alone “International Institute for Artist Accreditation” says it all.

The “International Certified Artist Certificate” that you can buy from this promotor (€ 176, – excl. 21% VAT, valid for 5 years) is proof that a huge explosion of creativity has taken place during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the best example of how soft soaping can help you through the though times. I can only say: respect!

Other examples (from the same promoter) can be read at fellow Dutch art blogger Jeroen Bosch on Trendbeheer. Please pay attention the comments and the reply.

From Clay to Cash

Example is better than precept. If there is easy money to be made from art, it should also be possible with clay.

A few weeks ago I was given a set of porcelain coins from Meissen. These are from 1922, made of unglazed porcelain (biscuit). They ring beautifully in your hands. I felt a tendency to dive in to these bucks like a dolphin as Uncle Scrooge.

It’s “notgeld (emergency money)” made in Germany during the crises after the First World War. From 1917 to 1923 there was so much (metal) scarcity and (hyper) inflation that metal coins were practically gone.

The porcelain factory in Meissen came up with the obvious solution: Make money from porcelain. A great deal, they made coins and were assured of sales. Unfortunately, they were not wear-resistant and forged too easily. That’s why they were banned in 1923.

But that did not prevent the “Staatliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Meissen GmbH” from making money for collectors. A selection of coins in beautiful presentation boxes are still sought after collectibles a hundred years later.

Ceramcoins the modern successor to bitcoins

Now it’s time for a modern successor. In our digital age, coins are in danger of becoming extinct. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Not digital bitcoins, but modern clay currency is going to save us. I therefore introduce the “ceramcoin” (patent pending).

Elon Musk has already renounced the bitcoins and I’m sure he will embrace my ecologically responsible ceramcoins. Step in now before rates rise phenomenally. Don’t miss out this time.

And if you think, but what’s new about ceramic emergency money? These coins were already copied by the factory workers in 1922. Then I say to you: a good idea always retains it’s value.

Just look at Elsschot’s novel “Lijmen” from 1923 (translated as “Soft Soap” and collected in Three Novels, 1965). The “General World Review” still exists, even though it has been published under many other names. Soft soaping is of all times.

Take your chance and buy Ceramcoins!

I have every confidence in ceramcoins, hosted by my trustworthy and non-profit “International Foundation for the Promotion of Ceramcoins” (IFC).

Of course, the exclusive rights on making this fantastic new Cera currency rests with me; DFB-keramiek. Please make payments directly to my account, for this we do not need the foundation.

“International Institute for Artist Accreditation” eat your heart out….

About Post Author

Daniel Bende

Designs and creates under the trade name DFB-ceramics hand-thrown stoneware figurative ceramics.

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