This will quite
possibly be the longest post of the year since I’m blogging both my New Year
perspectives plus my goals (which I usually refer to throughout the year )! Bear
with me as I meander through (or just catch my next blog post which I can
assure you will be much, much shorter LOL!
I can’t start a new
year without looking back on the past year …
In retrospect, I’ve realized much of my pottery time was spent
learning different techniques and trying new things. It definitely has given me
a grab bag of options to choose from for future clay work and I’m thankful for
the journey! If I look back even further than last year, I also am realizing
there were some skills lost that I want to reclaim as my own, such as persistence
and consistency.
ON LIFE
Again looking back even further, life has changed
dramatically since beginning my clay practices. As some of you know, I began
working in clay as a healing process both physically and mentally. My focus on
clay has brought quite a transformation and a realization that it has come full
circle. As I start this year I’m again experiencing my clay for some healing
and introspection.
This past December, while taking my break from clay, I lost
two extremely important people in my life, my 103 year old grandfather, Ernest
Sadler Sr., who genetically passed down his entrepreneurial spirit to me, and
my very best girlfriend and mentor... my motivator, mutual cheerleader and a
literal kindred spirit, Janet Hazelwood Russo. I’ve learned so much from these
two amazing people and the emotions that have come with their passing are difficult
to describe. I’m sad because their influence in my life will be missed tremendously,
but because of my faith I’m also extremely happy and celebratory because I know
where they are right now. A roller coaster I tell ya! Neither of them would
want to me be down (because Janet would kick me in the butt with a smile on her face..lol) so I will take on their challenge to get up and get moving :D
!
CLAY PLAY 2015
Lessons from the past will intermingle with the newness of
the future…and thinking forward is where I LIVE! I’ve taken a lengthy look at what is really
important to me and direction I want to work towards...here is the gist of it
all:
2015 Goals &
Mindset
1.
People 1st – Clay 2nd
“A piece is not more important than a person.” Share what’s useful and
helpful (good or bad) and what’s fun or exciting. Continue to enjoy
communicating with others about clay!
2.
Knowledge:
Continue to grow, and learn to develop my inner clay voice! Go where I need to
go, and do what I need to do, to get the information I need. Sign up for shows,
enter contests, become a member (not aimlessly, but whatever is useful) …engage
and learn!
3.
Self
Control: Apply the knowledge and build upon it, be inspired by it. Take
what works for me and leave the rest for later…or never…LOL, because this is my
journey! Stick to the tasks that work and improve my skill levels!
4. Perseverance: PRESS ON! The sun always
comes up in the morning; so always remember that I can be one disaster away
from unbelievable success!
5. Be True To Myself: No matter what
anyone else says, make the work that makes me melt, or sing, or laugh out
loud! Make things that excite the soul, or bring peace to the chaos. Share my
adventures and works with others through video, blogs, online or in galleries.
Don’t pressure myself unnecessarily and continue being the WYSIWYG that I am
(what you see is what you get)!
6. Walk the Walk while I Talk the Talk: SHOCKING! Looking
through my cupboards at Christmas I was surprised to realize I have very few handmade pieces to use on a daily basis. This year I will change that! Making wares for my own shelf...what a concept..LOL!
7. Enjoy the Journey which is my life - Tammy
Jo Schoppet!
TODAY’S TASK LIST
- STARTING IT OFF RIGHT!
DON'T LOOK! It’s been about 3 months'ish since I put efforts into the studio, but I’m ready to clean it up right!
This is posterity and a reminder to never let this happen again! ;)
NEXT UP ...LET's FINALLY MAKE SOMETHING!