Periods of Time

It’s interesting how certain things in life seem to fall into categories or ‘periods of time’ for me. I have a tendency to like such a wide variety of activities when I have to do the same thing over and over it falls into a rut and becomes boring or stressful.

In the years that have passed since taking pottery, and my photography, back up I’ve noticed I prefer to use them as a stress reliever so I do not stay within what I should be throwing or need to be throwing and I just throw what I feel like at the time.

Last year I made the decision to go back to work outside of my pottery fulltime so I would not have to make financial decisions. This would allow me to continue to throw whatever I wanted and not what someone else might want to purchase. It was a very freeing decision for me personally.

So what happened? I committed to several donations and found myself having to throw a number of items and it did not matter if I wanted to throw something else. I only had spare time to throw what I committed to providing.

Huh? Wasn’t that exactly what I did not want to do? Yes but what I learned with the first donation was the sense of completion I have not experienced previously. The improvement in my actual throwing skills was measurable as I came to the end of throwing all those tumblers. Very simple form but it really forced me to pay attention to being consistent and keeping my pulls up consistent.

It was a reminder to “never say never” when it comes to a journey. Just enjoy and learn from where you go.

Summertime Blues

I love it when I open the kiln, work my way to the bottom of the kiln looking anxiously for a special item thrown as a gift. You hope it turns out as you could see it in your head. There are so many points along the way of a pot’s journey into being, so many spots where you can lose the piece. Not timing the drying process, not compressing the bottom while throwing, not allowing it to stabilize after having thrown the foot on in a separate throwing session.

Then you have the bisque firing to make it through with no cracks. The next firing is the glaze firing and you hope you have brushed on the glaze evenly. You hope for everything correct…you can do everything you think correct and you can’t always guarantee it will look exactly as you imagined.

It’s a pleasure when you see exactly what you want. Now to keep my fingers crossed it makes it safely to a 2^nd cousin as a gift for her.

Why Did I Start This Page

[Originally shared on Facebook 2/9/2013]

Depending on how you emphasis the question this is a two-sided coin. If you are one who is concerned how people perceive your words, you always want to please everyone, you worry someone will take offense then the emphasis might be on "oh WHY did I start this page and I am so sorry I did?"

On the other hand, if you are trying to learn to move away from that previous person, you want to share the blessings pottery has brought, you try to open yourself up to allow others to see what only those who truly know you see then it is the kind of question I want to try to answer.

When I originally started the page 2 years ago I thought to treat it as a business. I needed to make money from it to be able to continue putting the energy into promoting and selling. I took a 2 year break from Corporate America, although I still contracted part-time to pay the bills, and focused on making pottery. Then last year I had a major setback as my mother, 85 years old, was knocked flat at a dog show and broke her back. It reset my priorities. She is well and healing today. During this time my pottery page was neglected but I would not trade a minute of being able to be there and help her and my dad when they needed me.

Following closely on the heels of my mother's health crisis my husband had to have his own neck surgery to correct a bone graft that never healed. Little did we know the difficulties he would face from this surgery. During that same time frame I was asked if I would like to come on fulltime with the company I worked with already. There are many complaints about the corporate world but truth be told I love the team I work with, I love the job I do, I love the varied customers I meet BUT did I want to give up so much of my time and limit my pottery & photography. I come back to "Why did I start..." I needed to answer that question honestly.

My answer? I like having a job that allows me to be my own benefactor. I do not have to make financial decisions based on what someone might buy. I do not have to make decisions based on someone else’s criticism which you run into anytime you sell. I DO get to meet those who enjoy something I am passionate about. I DO get to meet many from so many different walks of life and they love something I have done. That creates a connection I enjoy.
Why did I start this page? Look where it has led me

Happy 2013 New Year in March!

{Originally posted January 1^, 2013 on my Facebook page}

I love the New Year holiday. Not because it’s a chance to start new but it’s a chance to take stock over choices I’ve made, blessings I’ve received and dreams of where I might go. This year is a bit of a new journey for me as I go back into Corporate America. In this economy I was more than willing to go permanent and use the safety net of a permanent job and benefits to allow me to do only what I wish to do with my pottery instead of having to make pottery based on financial decisions. Kind of like the benefactors of old BUT I’m my own benefactor. Rather freeing.

My thoughts to have the monthly giveaway turns out to be a blessing also as my work commitments have changed. Later today I will be posting the next giveaway and it is one of my favorite types of pottery to throw. I’m also looking forward this month to actually getting some design work for special trophies for several dog competitions this year. I have the mental images, now I need to start getting the test pieces done to see if they actually meet what my mind sees. With Bob’s (the husband) neck surgery life went into survival mode. With advanced medical procedures these days it’s too easy to think the recovery can be as quick. Yes…we were guilty of thinking he would be up on his feet quicker.

So Happy New Year to all of you. I hope you have a chance to look back and appreciate the blessings, learn from decisions, look forward to possibilities and appreciate what you have right now.

Micky!

Learning to share myself.

My next step in sharing my story. The following is taken from my Facebook Notes.

I am going to a craft fair the day after tomorrow. Why do I feel nervous? Does it make me vulnerable to see or hear what others who do not know me might say about my pottery? I know it is a personal choice as everyone has different tastes. I still find it intimidating. I do not know how to make people feel comfortable if they do not like my work. It’s ok. I like my work.

I know why I have a hard time keeping my blog up-to-date or updating my status. For years I have resisted speaking publicly. I HATE (yes HATE) being put in front of a group of people to speak. It doesn’t matter if it is a group of my close friends. My ears buzz and I can’t breathe if asked to give a presentation. This includes being on the training field or in an obedience trial although a good friend helped me to learn to focus and not pay attention until I get off the field. I hate being watched.

I am learning to share more and put myself out there. I have done so with my photography and find myself able to put it out there even when I know it opens me to critiques. I believe it’s important for growth.

So now I move to my pottery which is just as important as my photography. I never realized how much it can touch a life. While I pay business taxes and have to do bookkeeping it is more than a business to me. I pay my bills via my day-to-day job. This gives me a chance to make financial decisions and be my own benefactor. I am passionate about my pottery. I love to share what I love to throw. I love the feedback. It gives great encouragement to know my efforts don’t just please me but others also.  But they are not just something to hold pens, eat from or hold your coffee. My hope is they will hold memories for you.

My Life Lesson: I have a childhood friend. I have known her since she was in 5^th grade. Her mother had a stroke when we were just teenagers and I had the chance to see what a vital life she still lived even when partially paralyzed by the devastating stroke. When she passed away several years ago and Abbe was cleaning out her things she brought me a little pot with a broken handle. I had thrown that pot in high school and given it to her mother. I had no idea she had kept it close all those years. The broken handle was just a strong reminder that even though a vessel might have a disfigurement it does not mean it is not useful. I have that little pot sitting on my desk where I see it every morning as a reminder. It holds my memories of Mrs. Onanian.

 

Days of Grace mugs continued

My first set of Days of Grace mugs are out of the kiln and fired. I'm very happy with the first firing. I have a few updates to make to the templates and I know the smallest font I can use now with these glazes. I have them up on my ETSY store or on my website for more pictures.

The Days of Grace (DoG) series came from a desire to encourage women through scriptures and affirmations. There is nothing I like better than to start my day in a little peace and quiet with my hands wrapped around my cup of coffee before the day goes manic. I need a reminder once in a while to slow down and remember to take care of myself also. I hope whichever mug you choose will do the same for you.

Days of Grace mugs

I'm having so much fun with a new technique for a series of mugs aimed at encouraging women with scriptures and affirmations. While some might speak to men I think of women and our unique challenges we face as I make each mug. I can't wait to get the first kiln load fired and glazed within the next week. I'm so anxious I'm only firing the kiln about 2/3 filled. Here is an example of a group of mugs still drying.