Things Change

23 hours ago

3 min read

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:(Eccl 3:1)

My recently vacated Shed Studio... a little cramped!

I promised to tell you the good news, so here I go...

Are you a person who embraces change? Or do you like the stability of the familiar?

My go to mode of operation is to welcome change. I think being a Ceramic Artist is the longest "position" I have held in my entire life. I am going steady on 30 years now. My usual stint is about 3 years, after that I get bored.

I thrive on starting something from scratch, figuring out how to make it tick and establishing the "thing". I love a good puzzle and have no qualms about finding out information.

I know a little bit about a lot of things. Sounds dangerous, I know. I carry some quirky facts around in my head that periodically come in handy. I also know that there is so very much more that I don't know, and that inspires me because the possibilities in clay are endless. Bound only by imagination.

I have changed clay bodies, glazes, and studio roles. I have owned my own studio and gallery, managed others and taken classes in several. I spent several years in college and community classes expanding my skill level. I now repair and sell kilns, teach classes and workshops, produce my own ceramic art and pottery tools.

I have sold wholesale locally and virtually. I have been a vendor at both large and small craft shows. There has been everything from local high school shows, state fairground shows, and convention center shows like American Craft Council and NCECA.

Along the way, I have enjoyed many iterations of my personal studio as well.

There were three basements, five brick and mortar locations, a kitchen, a garage, a shed and two sunrooms. Each space cherished because these are the places God and I meet and the creativity He placed inside me comes to life. Right now, I find myself coming full circle, such as it is. I left a beautiful sunroom studio about 16 years ago. Today I find myself back in a familiar place.

One huge benefit from all of these transitions is the ability to offer experiential advice when people ask me about clay issues like kiln purchases, studio set up, clay bodies, glazes, tools and more.

Something that has not changed in my career is the joy of helping other people. Pottery is a wonderful teacher for patience. If it can go wrong, it will, and its heart breaking at times. However, if you have the passion and discipline to stick with it, the reward is worth the struggle. A good teacher is observant of their students and offers correction along the way that may mean the difference between quitting and staying the course.

This past summer I had the blessing of moving from a 968 square foot home to a 2000 square foot home. Along with the move came the new sunroom studio. Some say home is where the heart is, for me home is where the studio is!

This new space certainly has its challenges. I find myself hiring electricians again. Making preparations for seasonal weather. Shoring up floors and repairing leaky roofs. Still, my heart and spirit are content. This is my place. It holds the calm to life's storms.

Even so, I hold to it loosely, because I don't know all the plans God has for me. Maybe I will expand yet again, to another brick-and-mortar location? If and when that time comes, I will go. Because I accept that change is part of my life.

So, welcome to my new studio. If you feel led, please comment with some photos of your own studios. I would love to see them.

Enjoy your clay!

Blessings, Charlene