Bragging a little bit

I'm a full time chemist/part time potter/one armed paper hanger. Starting in January I will swap that around and be a part time chemist/full time potter.

I feel so damn lucky to have this opportunity. My work place is very accommodating to this arrangement- I will work 60% and still receive benefits.

Of course the real reason I feel so lucky is that my amazing wife has been really supportive about it. She's as excited as I am, and has been actively helping me plan and organize the transition. 60% of my current salary is still not so bad, and my wife does well, so again- I am fortunate to be able to do this without too much stress (knock on wood).

I thought I would share this here where I have so many virtual (and real) friends that have been supportive- buying pots (including weird stuff, like mini skulls- you know who you are), giving great feedback, and even high-risk product testing (Thanks Jags).

Here's a cockroach cone pack- those white things were standing straight up before the firing. They melt at different heat-work (like temperature) and I can look into the kiln and tell where I am in the firing based on which ones are melted. I've started making sculptures out of them. Since there's a lot of superstition, stress, mysticism around firing wood kilns (including making sacrifices of booze- usually sake, to a "kiln god")- a cone pack that's successfully melted must be good luck.

Congrats on the "promotion."

AMEN to that! I'm willing to bet that there isn't a ONE OF US that wouldn't be elated to be able to do what you are about to do. Congrats, and BTW you have some amazing talent with those different sculptures.

AP, I really hope this works for you.
Can you do some of your chemist-y stuff from home, or do you have to be in the lab?
Can we now expect more firings? You know we luzz your firing pics and stories.
Don't ask why, because I have no clue, but Marty Feldman in "Young Frankenstein" is now in my head. Weird, right?

Do what you love and you will never have to work.

Livin the Dream AP.... Congrats

Thanks everyone! I'm also fortunate to have folks to share this sort of stuff with.

There is no doubt you have the skill, talent and knowledge to do well in what you do. I give you credit for taking the leap in this economy, but you know your market, and if it can sustain you, which is huge.

Another key is living in an area where people appreciate the arts and the skill behind it and are not shy about throwing a little coin at what your peddling. One may not get rich being an artist, but the value is how it makes you feel, and that people can appreciate what you do. You only have one time around on this planet, and only so many years to work with your hands, make the best of it so you don't regret it when you are old.

In a way this news is part motivational and part inspirational to get my crap together and make some more wood chips fly...

Ok, my ramble is done. Good luck!

Jon- in way of being modest- it's not quite so courageous, as I have a decent living as it is, but I do truly appreciate your kind words. You have some mad skills- keeping some momentum with other commitments (work, kids) is tough, but building an audience/market is a great way to start (etsy maybe?). I wonder if you're close enough to NH to jury into the League of NH Craftsmen?

Oh- and I haven't forgotten about boxes for tea/sake ware- I'm just busy keeping a few balls in the air at once.

huh- balls

A big congratulations to you!

Well done AP, I've only known a few people that have truly followed their dreams/passions in life, & many that didn't due to whatever reasons. Guess which group has the least regrets. CONGRATS! A C

well, I KINDA meant going "out on our own". I'd be the same way if I had to do what he does on the outside!!

I heard a thing about how so many very successful people are scared that they will be discovered as frauds- so I guess that you could be on the cusp of a Nobel in medicine.

Congrats and Good luck Adios. It must feel great to be able to to what you havea real talent and passion for and not just something you have to do to pay the bills!

Go for it!

Any area in which you feel inadequate- Nobel Prize. I once had someone tell me that God existed because they could prove him with logic. I see no reason that our logic can't get you the Nobel.

Glad to see that you are livin the dream and doing what you want to do.
I have to say I am a bit jealous though.....not really for the financial aspect of it and your wifes support, but more in that you have found a passion for what you truly love to do, and I really think that is something a lot of us wish we had. (I guess we can live vicariously through your posts)

Good luck doing what you love to do, and we'll all be looking forward to more "firings" of that behemoth you have in your backyard