Saturday 18 April 2020

When this is all over...

Week four of Covid19 virus isolating 2020!
Just felt I needed to put this up to remind me in years to come.

First of all I hope you are all well and finding ways of coping with the isolation in ways that make you smile!

For Me if I’m totally honest
 I’ve been finding it hard to take my mind away from the Pottery!
It’s our only source of income and to watch it dry up before your very eyes
has been worrying to say the least!
I know we’re all in the same boat, but here’s how I’m seeing it from my Dingy.

It’s been 11 years since I started the pottery and although over the years
I have had some amazing good fortune it hasn’t been without its struggles.

From day one I’ve never had any money behind me, giving me a cushion to lay back on
when times are hard, and I’m sure it’s that constant pressure to keep bringing home the bacon
that has kept me relentlessly pushing on.
But this past year had been going so well that I genuinely thought I was about to get on top 
of the situation and get ahead of the game.
Well that’s that scuppered!

On a more positive note I have been able to get into the workshop and lock the door, so I can make stock and complete orders.
I’ve enjoyed having the workshop to myself, catching up on Podcasts 
and trying to find more ways of being creative,
 (it’s so easy to find yourself falling into a rut when you have a routine)

But if I’m honest I’m finding it hard to motivate myself at the moment.
I’m sure I’m not alone in this.

So with time to stop and think I’ve been turning my attention to doing other things I like, at this point I was going to say Social Media!
But I’ve become more and more aware of the downside to things like Facebook!

Why people feel they can be so opinionated and judgmental is beyond me!
So when I say Social media I mean nicer ways to connect with our friends and customers.

I notice all the big companies are changing the adverts they put on telly
to be more customer focused, and socially aware rather than the previous style of push product
and then push even more product!

For me it's always been about our customers, always has been, always will be.
So I've found it interesting watching the switch in these adds.
I've always loved Advertising I wish sometimes I had known about that world when I was younger I'm sure I would have loved to be in it. 

I've always loved putting small videos together, it's one of the things I love to spend time on.
unlike most people that come to our pottery lessons, they come to get away from the computer and they find it odd that I as a potter love to get on the computer as my down time!
 I love putting together little videos like this one below.
So I hope you enjoy my little video made on a budget of £0.00


It's so nice to have the time to do this blog again.







4 comments:

Tracey Broome said...

I remember when you first started this blog and talked about your struggles to get started, same time I was starting my pottery journey. You stuck with it, I didn't. I have so enjoyed your journey through all forms of social media. I was washing the little pitcher I have of yours the other day and thinking about what went into the making of that little jug. It is a well loved treasure in my house! I read a post on FB that said we are all not in the same boat, but in the same storm. I think that is more true, because in this country, so many are wanting to row in a completely different direction than I am willing to!! Every day, I have a moment when I stare out the window and wonder at the change in our lives in such a very short amount of time, quick as a wink..... but your pottery will be a testament in many years to come, of the way a life was lived the way it was meant to!

gz said...

We are looking forward to seeing you again... meanwhile we are busy catching up with jobs that get postponed when we travel!!
Including getting me potting again.....

Anonymous said...

Hi Paul

I am new to pottery , I recently started taking classes at a near by studio.
Totally enjoying my classes and using the pottery wheel when COVD-19 shut us all down. So, I am know on a quest to invest in a small wheel and contemplating making my own raku kiln. However , I have never fired a kiln of any kind before and would appreciate any advice you could give me. Can a Raku kiln be fired to higher temps? Such as cone 6 . Is it something an amateur like myself could accomplish with needing the fire dept. lol.Thank you

Tracey Broome said...

I read your post the other day and many of your words have stuck with me. I was also inspired to fire up my old blog again and leave Facebook, so please continue to post, your words are encouraging to me on many days!

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