A Day in the Life

What exactly does my studio work day/life look like you ask? Well, let me tell you. I am loving working for myself full-time. It is a real treat! I aim to work in the studio Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Those are the days where I am physically handling my pottery in some capacity: throwing, hand-building, trimming, mixing glazes, finish work, firing kilns, loading and unloading kilns, glazing pieces, buffing, etc. Wednesdays, I am reserving for computer work: website maintenence, product cataloging, marketing, blogging, etc. Right now, 8-2pm is my studio work day with a hard stop at 2pm so that I have plenty of time to clean up and switch gears to full-time-mom-mode.

During the week, it is an early start with getting kids ready for school and out the door to catch the bus. (Praise hands, because the bus stop is at the end of my driveway). There is usually a bit of a debate as to who's turn it is to get on the bus first. Once that is determined without nearly coming to blows and completely disrupting a peaceful send-off, goodbyes are said, hugs are given and energetic waves and blowing of kisses are sent off along with the bus.

Re-entering the house, I pour my second cup of coffee and pull on my overalls (my work uniform) and get ready to head to the studio. My commute is not long at all. I simply exit my home through the mudroom, walk through the garage and up the stairs to my studio above. When we were house hunting 10 years ago, one of the big draws to our house was the fact that there was an unfishished walk-up attic above the garage. It would be a perfect space for a home studio - and it truly is!

Mondays are my favorite days because I begin working through a new throwing list for the week. Tuesdays are spent finishing the list and making sure all of my work is drying out evenly. Wednesdays I don't actually start my work day until after lunch because I head to my church to work with the "babes of the kingdom". (Ok they are not really called that...it's just a joke my dad made years ago and it stuck). I help provide childcare for the moms dropping their little ones off during women's Bible study. It is a sweet and chaotic time, keeping my diaper changing and baby soothing skills primed.

Thursdays are usually spent trimming pieces and finish-work, like pulling and attaching handles to mugs. Sometimes I am also glazing and loading kilns. Then, I finish off the day by firing up the kiln with a quick prayer to keep my house safe (and for a miracle to happen where my electric bill does not absolutely obliterate our budget. Ha)! Friday is the git-her-done day. I tie up all the loose ends and clean down my studio in preparation for the next week.

By 2:30pm each day, I am done, cleaned up and ready to receive my boys off their various buses. Whirlwind greetings are had as shoes are kicked off, backpacks are tossed across the mudroom (forget those nice hooks on the wall) and snacks are practically demanded! The late afternoon and evening unfolds like most, with dinner preparations, sharing a meal, homework, reading, baths and an invigorating game of how long can we stall bedtime. Extras in our week are cross country, youth group and Wednesday night Bible study, Young Life and Wyldlife. Writing this out sounds way more insane than it feels. That is only partly true. Our kids are young and life is busy and I love it.

Weekends are reserved for family, Church and fellowship. A chance to unwind, be together and remind our children over and over that we love them and to please be kind. There is no need to sit on your brother's head.

Have a great weekend!