The co operative celebrates its 10th anniversary this month happy it has met the challenges of a group initiative.
It all started when artist Danny Moorwood offered a group of potters the opportunity of taking over the lease of his studio in Lower Stuart St.
''We thought it was hilarious but we developed a charter, hummed and haahed, discussed how we'd run it. But 10 years on we're still here so it's obvious it works,'' potter Marion Familton said.
Of the 12 original members, nine were still involved - Rosemary McQueen, Louise Thompson Parker, Riki Julin, Judy Ringland Stewart, Jo Howard, Paddy Carr, Ms Familton, Dawn Palmer and Josephine Waring - with another five joining in, including fibre artist Loris Ives. There were also associated members.
''She [Ives] has been an incredibly successful addition, a marvellous addition,'' potter Ms McQueen said.
They put the longevity of the co operative down to good organisation by key members who run a roster system to ensure there is someone behind the counter and, most importantly, doing the books.
Getting advice on an accounting system, moving to a computer based system and bringing in eftpos were all important steps.
''It ticks over really nicely,'' Ms Familton said.
Business has evolved over the years, especially due to the arrival of the big cruise ships during summer.
''We get the stalwart locals, people looking for a gift, and then with the advent of the Farmers Market it's got busy on Saturday mornings.''
There were also the ''pottery nerds'' from around the world who came with questions about glazes or effects and were keen to show photos of their own works.
The change in business along Lower Stuart St has helped the foot traffic, with Morning Magpie café drawing people down the street, she said.
The incident when the Chinese tourist cleared the shelves created a ''diabolical transaction'' list and had member Judy Ringland Stewart calling for help to track the purchases and help box and package them for transport to Auckland.
''Judy needed a lie down afterwards. It was like a Lotto day.''
The gallery has enabled the potters to not only sell their work but experiment and work out what is commercial and what is not. Each artist has an alcove and shelves on which to arrange their works.
''The amazing thing is all of us here are quite different in style and products. We're amazingly divergent.''
Without the co operative, the artists believe they would struggle to sell two or three pots a year.
''We can be scandalised by why a pot won't sell. You can think it would and it's your favourite but it's still on the shelf.''
The other major bonus is the social aspect of the co operative, given potting can be a very isolating art form.
''It's great community. A societal hub where you can catch up with people and get to see what other people are doing.''
There is also the chance to share in each other's successes and failures and learn from each other.
''It's great fun.''
