A little milestone, and 4 years of pottery
On curiosity, learning, and finding my own way with clay.
Every now and then, it’s nice to pause and look back how far you’ve come.
Recently, my instagram reached 1,000 followers - a little milestone that felt worth documenting here. It’s a strange but lovely feeling to think that something i started out of simple curiosity has gradually grown into a space where people from different places can discover my work and follow along with my journey.
Four years ago, I began exploring pottery, intrigued by the skill itself, I took a few courses from community studios (Sunken Studio, Leeds & Firefly Pottery, Leeds) and gradually found my way through trial and error, plenty of online learning, and lots of practice.
Along the way, I've learnt that pottery is about more than learning to make a pot. It's also about finding a comfortable throwing position for long hours, discovering more efficient and sustainable ways to work, and figuring out what works best for me. So much of the process happens in the little adjustments and repeated attempts that people might never see in a finished piece.
Even after four years, I feel like I'm still discovering my relationship with pottery. One thing I've come to appreciate is that the journey is rarely linear, and it looks different for every potter. Beyond the fundamental rules of clay, there isn't one method that fits everyone. We each develop our own rhythms, preferences and ways of working.
I still love learning new techniques, training my patience, managing my expectations and slowly honing my eye for art. Sometimes things turn out differently from what I imagined, but there's always something to learn from the process. Perhaps that's what keeps me coming back, there’s always something new to explore, and no real finish line where you've learnt everything. I'd love to share more of these thoughts in a future potter's journal.
Looking back, this journey has also become about the people who've found their way here. Some of you have been following along since the early days, while others may have only recently discovered my work. It's lovely to know that something I enjoy making has found its way into other people's lives, and I'm glad our paths have crossed.
To celebrate reaching 1,000 followers, I've put together a little teacup set to give away as a small gesture of appreciation. You can find all the details over on my Instagram. 🤍
Four years ago, I started pottery simply because I was curious. Four years later, that curiosity is still here, accompanied by a little more experience, countless lessons and an even greater appreciation for the process.
There's still so much I'd love to learn and explore, and I'm looking forward to seeing where this journey takes me next.
Yours truly,
Roxanne C.