Tim Keesey and Crystal Mustric on sat 9 mar 02
What a wonderful discussion of pottery and parenting. As the mother of a
4 mo. old son and an apprentice to Hardway Herman (who posts on this
listserver), until I read these posts I felt like the lamest potter of
them all -- I haven't thrown a pot since my son was born in November.
Before that, I worked shifts on a anagama kiln woodfiring while I was 9
months pregnant! Now I don't feel so alone -- in fact, I'm going to
print out all the posts on this issue and read them over and over when I
am feeling like I'll never get back to the shop.
There have been times in the last 4 months that I wondered how pottery
would fit into my life at all . . .thinking that it would have to be the
thing that I lose as I learn my new role as "mommy" . . . But just
yesterday I made it down to Paul's shop (the spring wood firing is a
month away), set the baby up on the floor, with all his accompanying
paraphenalia, and managed to make 5 slab pots, all the time thinking,
"God, how I'd love to THROW some pots." Unfortunately I didn't -- but I
did make SOMETHING, no matter how little it was. The baby got the
attention he needed, and I got some desperately needed contact with mud
and creativity.
Someone posted that "one pot a day is a lot better than no pots a day."
I couldn't agree more. Although I probably won't be cranking out much
production pottery in the next year or so, I can at least maintain my
connection to it by striving for that goal -- one pot a day.
So my sympathy goes to Ken, father of two boys, who sounds like he has
very much on his plate. I am confident, though, that through your desire
and continued interest, it will be a very short time in the BIG PICTURE
before you are back on your feet pottering around.
--Crystal Mustric
Linda Christen on sat 9 mar 02
Crystal,
Congratulations on your new baby!
Four months old is still very young. You are right, you are learning a new
role, it is a big adjustment to be a Mom. My son is also a November baby,
albeit fourteen years ago!
When the kids were young I made lots of large terra cota coil pots. I kept
the banding wheel on my kitchen counter covered with dry cleaner plastic.
At night when I had some time I brought it all to the coffee table. I could
sit with my husband who wanted to be watching t.v. Thus, we were together,
also very important when you are new parents. I was also accomplishing
something. While the kids were napping I could usually get a coil or two
made and/or added as well. After terra sig, the polishing was also easy to
do in the evenings. I always did the saw dust firing in an old metal
garbage can in the back yard. About barbecue time... The saw dust was the
result of a day trip to a hard wood floor company on the weekend with the
family.
Thus I kept making pottery, I still have many of these pots around the
house, it is a nice memory of a time which passes all to quickly.
I also took pottery classes. This got me out of the house, around other
adults and talking about something other than babies for three hours a week.
And, like many of the others who have posted on this topic I tried to get
weekend workshops into my schedule at least once a year.
Good luck to you!
Linda
What a wonderful discussion of pottery and parenting. As the mother of a
4 mo. old son and an apprentice to Hardway Herman (who posts on this
listserver), until I read these posts I felt like the lamest potter of
them all -- I haven't thrown a pot since my son was born in November.
Before that, I worked shifts on a anagama kiln woodfiring while I was 9
months pregnant! Now I don't feel so alone -- in fact, I'm going to
print out all the posts on this issue and read them over and over when I
am feeling like I'll never get back to the shop.
There have been times in the last 4 months that I wondered how pottery
would fit into my life at all . . .thinking that it would have to be the
thing that I lose as I learn my new role as "mommy" . . . But just
yesterday I made it down to Paul's shop (the spring wood firing is a
month away), set the baby up on the floor, with all his accompanying
paraphenalia, and managed to make 5 slab pots, all the time thinking,
"God, how I'd love to THROW some pots." Unfortunately I didn't -- but I
did make SOMETHING, no matter how little it was. The baby got the
attention he needed, and I got some desperately needed contact with mud
and creativity.
Someone posted that "one pot a day is a lot better than no pots a day."
I couldn't agree more. Although I probably won't be cranking out much
production pottery in the next year or so, I can at least maintain my
connection to it by striving for that goal -- one pot a day.
So my sympathy goes to Ken, father of two boys, who sounds like he has
very much on his plate. I am confident, though, that through your desire
and continued interest, it will be a very short time in the BIG PICTURE
before you are back on your feet pottering around.
--Crystal Mustric
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