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my global family (and thank you steve branfman)

updated fri 3 dec 99

 

Nina Jones on thu 2 dec 99

I had been experiencing this steadily increasing tightness across my
shoulder blades and down my back since the beginning of this week. It
started Monday around the time I logged onto my computer and found that
I had somehow become unsubscribed from Clayart. It took me until today
to figure out what the heck had happened and get it straightened out.

Having to maintain my 9:00 to 5:00 until we are able to pull enough
income from our pottery, I have days that I get so frustrated, I told my
husband it's like drowing in oil. I feel like I can't breathe and can
barely move--not literally, of course, but inside, down there in my soul
where the clay has puddled. Sometimes there are divergent obligations
and in order to meet one need, you have to leave the other neglected,
barely met. I thank God every day that I am able to support my family
comfortably, but I can't stop that part of me that's selfish and
art-involved from crying. A need barely met.

All of you, wonderful, good, and not-so-good, in all your moods, with
all your opinions and generously shared knowledge, you help sustain me
and keep me connected to the really real part of me. Thank you for
being my global clay family.

Nina D. Jones
Southside Chicago
@ njones@winston.com
(Still recovering from the goose-bumps I got from speaking to Steve
Branfman @ the Potters Shop. Gauche of me I know, but his books, *Raku:
A Practical Approach* and *The Potter's Professional Handbook*, are two
of the most important in my library. I was so thrilled and couldn't
think of a thing to say. Thank you Steve for being so funny and so
real.)