Balancing Creativity, Family, and the Unexpected

A Day in My Life as a Ceramic Artist

One thing I’ve learned as a ceramic artist, wife, and mom is that no two days are ever the same. Life has its own rhythm when you’re balancing family and creativity, and it keeps me on my toes. While I do have some routines that ground me, every day brings something new. So today, let me take you along with me through my day—it might look a bit different from tomorrow, but that's part of the fun!

Morning Rituals

My mornings usually start quietly, and if I’m lucky, I get a few moments to myself before the day picks up. I love making myself a "fancy" coffee, with frothed milk and a drizzle of caramel—it's my little indulgence. If the weather’s nice, I’ll take my cup outside and sit on the back porch, watching the sun come up. There’s something about those early morning moments that feels peaceful, like the calm before the creative storm.

After soaking in that calm, it’s time to get the family rolling. My daughter is an early riser, and her current breakfast obsession is sausage patties. Once she's happily eating with my husband, I can start getting dressed and mentally preparing for the day ahead. My studio, which is in our garage, is just a few steps away from the house, so it’s easy to sneak off once the morning routine is settled.

Stepping into the Studio

After breakfast and getting my daughter settled, I head out to my studio, which is set up in our garage. The first thing I usually do is check on my molds. Unmolding pieces or pouring fresh molds has become a bit of a ritual for me—it's a calming way to ease into the day and start my creative process. There's something about this quiet, repetitive action that helps me shift into a creative mindset.

Once my molds are set, I take a moment to look around and assess my space. Working with clay can get messy quickly, so I try to keep things organized, though some days the mess wins! When I need a reset, I’ll vacuum the floor, wipe down my worktable, and clean up my wheel. Having a tidy space helps me feel more focused and ready to dive into the work, whether that’s

throwing on the wheel or glazing pieces for

the kiln.

No Strict Schedule, Just Flow

I don’t operate on a strict schedule in my studio because my days are often dictated by what’s happening in life. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, my husband and I take time to train at his parent’s house, where we’ve built a home gym. It’s something we started during the early days of COVID, and it’s stuck with us ever since. The hour or so we spend lifting weights and focusing on fitness clears my head and strengthens my body.

I’ve noticed that as I get stronger, I have more control at the wheel, especially when throwing larger pieces. It’s a great feeling to see that connection between physical strength and my artistic practice.

Creative Flexibility

When it comes to my creative process, inspiration can strike at any moment. Sometimes, I’ll have a clear idea of what I want to make—like today, when I planned on making mugs. But, as with most things in life, plans can change. Today, I got a bit distracted and ended up with only one piece that survived the process! That’s the reality of working with clay—it teaches you patience, flexibility, and the ability to embrace a fresh start. Tomorrow, I’ll try again, and maybe I’ll have a batch of beautiful new mugs to show for it.

Balancing Business and Family

Running a ceramics business is a constant learning curve. Some days I over-commit to the studio and realize I need to refocus on family, and I’ve learned that’s okay. When my daughter is awake and my husband is not working, I prioritize time with them, knowing these are precious moments I don’t want to miss. I usually set aside evenings to take pictures of my finished pieces after she’s gone to bed. In the quiet of the night, I can really focus on capturing the details of my work without any distractions.

Prioritizing Family and Self-Care

With a young daughter at home, I’ve been intentional about spending more time with her than in the studio. I never want her to feel like my work is more important than she is. Some days, the studio takes a backseat so I can be fully present with my family, and on other days, I’m able to immerse myself in my creative world. It’s a constant balancing act, but one I’m grateful for.

I also make time for self-care, whether that’s physical activity or giving myself permission to slow down when I’m feeling emotionally drained. I remind myself to enjoy the little moments, to breathe, and to appreciate how blessed I am.

The Perfectionist Struggle

One thing people may not realize about ceramic artists (or at least, me) is how critical we can be of our work. I’m incredibly picky with my pieces—if something doesn’t look quite right, it goes into the reclaim pile or even the trash. There have been times when I’ve almost tossed a piece, only for someone to love it and buy it! I’m learning to be less hard on myself, reminding myself that I’m still growing in my craft. We’re all on a journey, and the imperfections are part of the beauty.

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