Hello, adventurous readers!

It’s Tina here, ready to share a little slice of my life and the last thing that got me super excited. Spoiler alert: it involves a bit of creativity, some happy accidents, and a lot of laughter. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride as I tell you about my newfound passion for pottery!

Let’s rewind to a few weeks ago. It was a typical Saturday afternoon, and I was scrolling through my social media feed when I stumbled upon a local pottery class ad. Now, I’ve always admired those beautiful, handcrafted mugs and bowls, but the idea of making them myself? It seemed about as achievable as climbing Mount Everest. But something about that ad caught my eye—maybe it was the promise of “no experience necessary” or the fact that they offered complimentary snacks. Either way, I was intrigued.

Fast forward to the following weekend, and there I was, apron on, ready to unleash my inner artist. As I stepped into the studio, the smell of clay and the sight of spinning pottery wheels greeted me. I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness—kind of like the first day of school but with more potential for mess.

Our instructor, a wonderfully patient woman named Clara, welcomed us with a warm smile. She assured us that pottery was all about embracing imperfections, which was a relief because I’m pretty sure my middle name is “Imperfection.” We started with the basics, kneading the clay to get out any air bubbles. It was surprisingly therapeutic, like a mini workout for my hands. Who knew clay could double as stress relief?

Next came the wheel. Ah, the pottery wheel—a deceptively simple-looking contraption that quickly became my nemesis. My first attempt resulted in a lopsided blob that vaguely resembled a bowl if you squinted really hard. But as I looked around the room, I noticed I wasn’t alone. We were all in this delightful chaos together, exchanging knowing smiles and the occasional giggle as someone’s creation went hilariously awry.

As the class went on, something magical happened. I stopped worrying about perfection and started having fun. My second attempt was a bit more successful—a small, wonky vase that I proudly named “The Leaning Tower of Pottery.” By the end of the session, I was covered in clay, but I couldn’t stop grinning.

What excited me the most wasn’t just the act of creating something tangible but the sense of community and laughter that filled the studio. We cheered each other on, celebrated our triumphs, and embraced our mishaps. It was a reminder that trying something new doesn’t have to be daunting—it can be downright delightful.

Now, I’m hooked. I’ve signed up for more classes and even started a little collection of my quirky creations at home. Each piece tells a story, and while they might not be perfect, they’re perfectly mine.

So, there you have it—the last thing that got me truly excited: discovering the joy of pottery. It’s a hobby I never expected to love, but it’s brought so much laughter and creativity into my life. If you’re ever in need of a new adventure, I highly recommend giving it a try. And if you see a slightly uneven mug with a questionable handle, you’ll know it’s a Tina original!

Until next time, keep finding joy in the unexpected and embracing the beautifully imperfect moments.

With clay-covered love,
Tina