Cindy Clarke on tue 24 oct 06
I have received many letters from the ClayArt comunity. I thought I would
answer some of them here. Thank you for your kind words. I am leaving the
studio very much by choice. I have been spinning pots since I was 13
years old. I started making little sculptures when I was preschool. My
hands have been in the clay for over 45 years. I am turning 50 this year
and it is time to do something else. I have been losing my passion for
the clay over the last few years. Jim left the studio to pursue something
that was more interesting to him than the studio( very much with all my
blessings), I tried to change the studio and keep it going. It all boils
down to I just don't want to anymore.
I have found something much closer to the heart. I happened on this group
of ladies in Sri Lanka. They were widowed by the tsunami that struck in
December of 2004 and they produce a wonderful line of jewelry and
accessories. They have given me the opportunity to bring their work to
North America and "spread the word".
http://www.workforwidows.com (take a moment and read the journal
entries ) With the sale of this product these ladies are earning their
independence. They can work at home, raise their children and keep the
family together. I am very excited about this project. I have even
entered a kind of "Entrepreneur Idol" to see if I can make Work for Widows
a house hold name.
We will still have the same lifestyle as potters ( with any luck ) but not
all the work. Jim's new job is coming together. They are working on
their second video contract from an oil company and building their second
web page. First one is http://myrigjob.com I will continue to do
wholesale and retail shows and ship out orders. I just don't have to make
it. This time around I can fit my booth and product in the back of our X-
Trail and be that person at the show that all potters hate. The one who
has knocked down and left the show before the potter's display lights have
even cooled.
Right now I don't care if I throw another pot again. That may change, it
may not?? I enjoy sculpting, I have taken some time this year to play
with that. It was fun because the first time in .....a very long
time.... I made something that didn't have to be sold, or turned into
something that would be "added to the line". It had no agenda, it was
just fun.
If anyone wants to know how it goes, please feel free to ask. I will be
in the studio for a while. My email will remain unchanged. I hope to sell
soon but it could be that people want to build their own pottery. If I
knew what I know now and this was offered to me as a starting potter, the
web site, the clients, the contacts, the line of pottery with sure
fire ( pun intended ) glazes, a complete studio etc... I would jump on
this opportunity. I am hoping that others will see it the same way.
Thanks again to all those who responded with support and kind words. We
haven't been hanging around clayart much lately, it is nice to see that we
were remembered.
Take care.
Cindy and Jim
http:www.outofthefirestudio.com
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