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It's about that time of the year when I start longing for a break and quiet days in front of the fire. Days when it's snowing and the roads are so horrible there's no choice but to stay home, watch Netflix, and do nothing. Many of us hustle to make ends meet and realize our aspirations. I've certainly been pushing and at the same time feel like I haven't done enough. If I look back, I'm proud of what I accomplished but also want to do so much more. With Fall around the corner, it means the last days on...

Thought I'd take a moment to talk about money. It's been on my mind lately for several reasons, and realized I never talked about how I handle the financial part of my ceramics business. For about twenty years, I worked in the corporate world...had a consistent paycheck, benefits, and health insurance. 7 years ago, I left that behind which also meant I left behind a consistent paycheck, benefits, and health insurance. All those things are now up to me. One piece of financial advice I received for the self-employed was to pay myself first. Let me explain a little more...for...

This is going to be a short post. There is nothing I feel the need to write about this week, but I had a "deep thought" come to mind this week I wanted to briefly muse on. Sometimes I feel like a puzzle piece desperately trying to fit in and connect. Rather than get frustrated, maybe what I need to realize is I'm a piece of a completely different puzzle which fell into or was placed in the wrong box. Take what you will from this thought, but it has helped me examine how I want to live my life.

August isn't over yet, we are still in the summer months and temps are in the uppers 80s and 90s, and I'm thinking about holiday ornaments. As someone who practices trying to remain present and focus on "today," production planning  for months out is a challenge. This has been one of my biggest struggles, especially with my ceramics, and has put my time management skills to the test. Admittedly, I fail often. I can't predict how quickly I'll be out of mugs or vases, and find that while I make the proactive decision to get ahead on mugs, I'll find...

I used to think about where I see myself in 5 years...the age old interview question you may or may not have had to answer. I've been asked if there are artists I aspire to, and the truth is, I don't think about what I do in those terms. I don't have a goal to be featured in a magazine. I don't feel the need to develop relationships with high-end stores. And I certainly don't know what I'll be doing in 5 years. That is not to say I wouldn't appreciate being featured or picked up, but it is not...