Embracing Patience and Creativity, One Piece at a Time
When I first started my ceramics journey, I was eager to create as many pieces as possible in the shortest amount of time. I had this constant drive to produce—more pieces, quickly. But as time went on, I began to realize that by rushing myself, I wasn’t allowing my true creativity to shine. The pieces felt hollow, lacking the connection I longed for in my art.

It wasn’t until after my dad passed away, when I returned to the wheel, that I truly slowed down. It was during that time I started pouring my emotions and memories into each piece. The wheel became more than just a tool—it became a place of reflection, where I could honor those feelings. (If you’d like to know more about this part of my journey, check out my blog post How I Infuse Personal Stories into My Ceramics.)
How Slow Crafting Impacts My Work
There’s a delicate balance to knowing when a piece needs more attention and when it’s been overworked. If I rush, the piece often ends up in the reclaim bucket, especially before it’s bisque fired. But when I give it the attention it deserves, really feeling the clay beneath my fingers, I can almost sense where it needs more time and care. However, spending too much time on a piece, particularly on the wheel, sometimes causes the clay to collapse in on itself—a humbling reminder of the importance of balance.
Taking my time has become one of the most important parts of my process, not just in shaping my pieces but also in glazing them. I’ve learned to slow down, envisioning how I want the finished piece to emerge from the kiln. There’s so much joy in seeing how each layer of glaze transforms in the heat, adding depth to the story the clay is telling.
Slowing Down, Both in Art and in Life

Slowing down hasn’t just transformed my work; it’s impacted my whole life. When I give myself time to be present with my work, I’m also learning to be present in life—to appreciate the little moments, savor the beauty around me, and connect more deeply with loved ones.
(Admittedly, I’m still working on this—I’m not the best at slowing down!) But this practice reminds me to pause and breathe, something that ceramics has continually taught me.
The Temptation to Rush
Of course, the temptation to rush never completely goes away. Right now, for instance, I’m working on a set of ornaments for a group of women, and I feel the pressure to be finished already. But when I catch myself getting anxious, I step back and remind myself of everything I’ve already accomplished. I take a deep breath and trust the process. The piece will be finished when it’s ready, not a moment before.
This approach keeps me grounded, though I’m still learning to balance it with deadlines. Having a loose timeline helps me stay on track without forcing the piece to rush from the wheel to the kiln prematurely. That said, I also remind myself not to procrastinate—because starting is often the hardest part.
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