clennell on sat 26 nov 05
Sour Cherry Pottery
> I have no idea how we will do it. Jean and I decided when I
> graduated from the apprenticeship, that we would work here for a set
> number of years, and if the "Two Places" scenario didn't pan out, we'd
> move back home. It would be easier financially in Minnesota. Like I
> told Mason, we are both living in Japan to study & learn. Even if we
> move back home, Jean would probably stay here for a time and keep
> working while we were in transition. That's an important thing: A
> second non-pottery related income.
Lee: the reason I called you on your fantasy of two homes/studios on other
sides of the world is that your business plan includes having Jean gainfully
employed in Japan. She has a job teaching ESL in Mashiko, but no job in
America. Do you plan to go off to America and learn or do a 2 month sales
trip leaving Jean to pay the fixed costs of your foreign studio? you have
married a saint, my friend. Sheila would dismember me. My little trip to
Japan last year for not quite 4 weeks cost "us" $4000 (free room and board
at Kanayama). This does't include the fact that i made no pottery for a
month and there is a cost there. Not something I can do every year and
especially to selfishly do it with out my partner.
Studying and learning should be lifelong, but I don't see the need to go to
the other side of the world to do that for such a long time. Besides as a
potter ages i think equity is something that should exist in ones life. We
can't design our old age around staying in others homes.
Mel will know better than I about Minnesota, but real estate ain't cheap no
more.
I think to locate in Minnesota near a marketplace you likely need a couple
hundred grand. hard to borrow when you have no job or track record. i know I
moved 150 miles and the Farm Gate does not open the day you decide to open
it. It takes years to gain the communitys patronage.
We moved here 7 years ago. We were afraid of getting boxed in to north of
our province. Our property here has doubled in value. Sheila will not move.
Too much stress! We also love it here and can't think of a place we'd rather
be.
You're not getting any younger my man. You may have boxed yourself into
Japan. hang up the "home sweet home" sign.
cheers,
Tony
Tony and Sheila Clennell
Sour Cherry Pottery
4545 King Street
Beamsville, Ontario
CANADA L0R 1B1
http://www.sourcherrypottery.com
http://www.sourcherrypottery.com/current_news/news_letter.html
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