Small Steps... (It All Started continued)

Well you have an idea of how it all started, but there is more to the story...

While I was working on the piggy bank requests, my aunt started having problems with carpal tunnel syndrome and she needed help getting projects done for her craft shows. With my 3 year-old in tow I would go to her house and help her get caught up. In payment she allowed me to make a few items for gifts and paint ornaments for my Christmas tree.

Then it happened, she took me to the local ceramic studio to pick out greenware. I was absolutely hooked again. I loved getting to create things in the colors I wanted. I was able to stick to a budget, well almost. My husband got involved because I discovered that I am allergic to greenware. I can handle the clay when it is still moist, but once it starts putting off dust I'm done until it is fired. My hands turn bright red and swell, it's not real pretty. I will say him getting involved is the best thing that could have happened in this little venture. He does a magnificent job at cleaning the greenware. He removes almost all if not all traces of pouring seams that are left in the molding process.

When my aunt decided to shut down her shop, she offered to sell us her kiln and remaining supplies (on payments of course) and we made the decision to run with it. It was supposed to remain a hobby, one that we could turn into a business when we were ready to retire, yeah right. Neither my husband or I are known for not pushing the bar when given the chance. I had purchased so much greenware, I didn't have any place to put the finished pieces. We started selling at craft shows and had a lot of success. And that success bred more opportunity...