Trusting in anything can be a perilous practice.
As humans, we put our trust in other people and the universe every day. Sometimes the daily trust feels mundane and routine - the sun will rise and it will come out from behind the clouds and feeling it on my face will bring me a sense of peace. Other times it feels weighty and deeper - my partner will be there to lift me up when I’m down; I’ll make enough with my freelance work to pay rent; my rescue pup will trust that he’s safe and home with me.
As a potter, I put my trust in so many moving components it’s hard to keep track. I trust in the clay - the way it dries, the way it fires, the way I carry it home from the studio or send it out in the mail. I trust in my fingers to pinch and roll and shape each piece into something imperfectly beautiful. I trust in the kiln gods each week, hopefully unsure of whether the handle of a mug will crack or the glaze will drip too far, gluing the piece to the kiln shelf. None of my pottery practice is ever sure and safe, but I’m reminded that nothing in life really is.
I am always working to open up to trust, letting it in and garnering the faith that, even if it doesn’t work out how I had planned, it works out as it’s supposed to. Maybe a lesson is gleaned - if I don’t coat the glaze quite as thick, it’s less likely to drip. Maybe it’s a misstep turned into something beautiful - a wonky mug handle with a divot that’s a perfect fit for my brother’s thumb. Or maybe it’s simply not meant to be understood, maybe sometimes it’s just the way it is, and that’s okay too.
Trust is essential - in my practice and in life - so I’ve been seeking ways to open up to it. One way I bring trust into my practice is with my Grounding Clay Club. My members never know what’s going to come in the mail. It’s a gift that they give themselves or a loved one, and they put their trust in me to thoughtfully curate meaningful monthly moments for them. The same goes for my paid newsletter subscribers - they don’t know which funky jug they’ll receive when they sign up, but they trust that the right one will make it’s way and bring them delight.
May the handmade pottery in your home bring you the peace to open up to trust, and welcome all the vulnerable beauty it brings into your life.
My Grounding Clay Club is a delightful practice in opening up to trust in your life. I’ll be sending out April’s package later this week, if you’d like to join. (Use code POTTERYISFORclayclub for 15% off!)
I create playlists for each season, simply for myself to enjoy, though I’ll occasionally share with friends. You can find my spring playlist here, if you are looking for a gentle, upbeat soundtrack to the warmer weather.
I feel lucky to have my mom visit over mother’s day. She’s probably reading this so I won’t share what I’m gifting her :) but if you’re looking for a one of a kind gift to make a mom or mother figure feel special, consider a handmade vase or something she can use everyday to remind her she’s so very loved.
Thank you, thank you for being here. xx