My First Blog Post
Summer 2024
Several years ago, I found myself at a crossroads, contemplating a significant change in my life. After spending years in the structured, fast-paced healthcare environment working for a start-up run by many of the same idiots I had dealt with all my life, I realized finding a new role would just be more of the same with different wall-paper. I had been a potter all my adult life, and between the pull towards something different, and some nudging from my husband, I made the bold decision to pivot away from my established career and embrace the life of a full-time potter.
The transition was both exhilarating and daunting. Moving from a predictable, steady job to the uncertain world of self-employment required a leap of faith. The world of pottery, with its rich history and tactile beauty, had always been there waiting for me. Just before COVID, I had built a studio in my basement, so it was a good time to turn my passion into a full-time pursuit. Little did I know…
One of the first lessons I learned was the importance of patience and persistence. Unlike my previous work, where tasks often had clear, immediate outcomes, pottery demands a slower, more deliberate pace. From shaping the clay to the firing process, everything takes time. What surprised me most, is that making pottery was easy. Selling pottery…not so much!
Another significant learning curve has been understanding the business side of being a potter. Creating art is one thing, but turning it into a sustainable livelihood is another. I’ve had to learn about pricing, marketing, and managing my time effectively—skills that were much easier to understand in my previous roles. Each piece I create is not just a reflection of my artistic vision but also a product that needs to resonate with others.
Yet, the most profound realization has been how pottery has changed my relationship with work. In my previous career, work often felt like a means to an end—a way to achieve certain goals or milestones. Now, as a full-time potter, work is deeply intertwined with my identity. The joy of creating something tangible with my hands, of seeing a piece evolve from a lump of clay to a finished work of art, has brought a new sense of fulfillment that I never knew was possible.
This journey has been full of discoveries, not just about the craft itself, but about who I am and what I truly value. I’ve learned to embrace imperfection, to find beauty in the unexpected, and to trust in the process—even when the outcome is uncertain.
As I continue to grow and evolve as a potter, I am excited to share this journey with you all. I hope that my experiences, both the successes and the challenges, will inspire others who may be contemplating their own pivot towards a more creative and fulfilling life. Here’s to the start of something new and wonderful!