10.20.2026 - My hand is up, yup that’s me…

Ever heard about time moving so slowly, it’s like watching paint dry?

In a world where we can send digital images around the world in a second - everything screeches to a halt when I see my “work” is not dry…

yet…

I’ve been told to swaddle it in plastic to further slow the drying process - to allow it to dry evenly - which would help prevent warping, the dreaded S crack, or other things that signal the sad end of a piece.

So I’m working on slowing my process… I have to practically sit on my hands.

I’ve also heard that clay “remembers”. If initially shaped it, then nudged it as it’s drying to aid in righting the shape - it will punish you when fired and return to that un-nudged state. Whatttt???

Part two is knowing when to give up.

If I made a beautiful piece, and during the drying process has warped… I then need to realize that it won’t get better. Further time spent glazing it, extra energy firing it - will not fix that - and in the end it will still be a warped piece - a reminder I’m not a patient person.

So, I’ve also been practicing “letting it go”, I can crumble up beautiful yet flawed piece that hasn’t gone through a firing yet - rehydrate the clay and use it again - and try to play by the rules - a forgiving second chance, to see if I’ve learned anything.

I just love it…

Smiles,

Jill