This past week’s unexpected death of Prince at age 57 is a sad reminder that life is short. Age has been on my mind anyway as I approach another milestone birthday this year – 60! There was a time where that number sounded so old. And while my body may be showing some ‘laugh lines’ and grey hairs, I still feel vibrant and young at heart. Clay and the pursuit of creativity help with that.
It’s been a productive week in the studio and around the house. I'm preparing for several upcoming events and have been working on a couple of custom orders. It's great to have goals to attain and ultimately accomplish.
I'll be teaching a fun class through one of my favorite Frederick shops, The Muse, on the evening of May 15. I'll provide all the materials to create a colorful wind chime. The class is filling up, so if you're interested, click here to register!
I’ve created limited edition items for an “Indie Pop Up Shop” at The Knot House in Frederick, Md. May 6 - 8. It’s a weekend-long fiber-lovers dream come true featuring hand-dyed yarns in a rainbow of colors and every stitching accessory you can imagine. I’ve created special drinking tumblers, small catch-all bowls and some fun yarn-lingo paper clips for the occasion. Once they are sold out, they will be gone!
The Potomac United Methodist Strawberry Festival is a well-attended annual event in Maryland. On May 21 between 10 and 4, I’ll be there. Of course I’ve created a bunch of Berry Bowl sets for the occasion! I’ll bring along some of my other useful serving dishes and lots of my garden décor too.
I’m creating a custom totem for a special garden in the New Mexico. It’s filled with symbolic shapes and personalized with the family’s names. It’s truly invigorating to develop and collaborate on an idea and make it come to life in clay. Let me know if you have an idea for a totem! I'd love to work with you.
I also fiddled with some home improvements that have ‘been on my list’ this week including setting up this birdhouse my friend Will made for me. As in the studio, success with these projects relies on having the right tools and knowing when to ask for help. When these projects are complete, I get that same adrenaline satisfaction that happens in the studio.
Prince's often cited quote about life and his on-going legacy is strong. He set an example for living a life that stayed true to his musical passion. His songs remain with us as a lasting reminder of his talent, message and influence. Life is short, so be sure to make decisions that contribute to your daily passions.