Valeria Out Loud

Hello, WordPressers! How are you doing?

I wanted to take a moment to catch you up on what’s been going on in my life. It is a snowy day up where I live, and my kids had a half day…so I am trying to get this out quickly. 😊

Firstly, I’m happy to report that my husband is doing remarkably well. He’s been making steady progress, improving every day and we’re both feeling hopeful about his health. Friday morning is a big appointment for him, his stomach port will be removed and we are hoping to get the green light that he can be normal driving and lifting.

I’ve been busy with work these past few weeks, as I mentioned and have been mentioning each post, which has been challenging, but I’m grateful for the distraction it provides lately. Whenever I start to feel overwhelmed, I’ve been finding peace and solace in my pottery class. Researching projects before each class, following some cool creative people on social media, and connecting with my fellow students.

Working with clay has become a therapeutic outlet for me, and I’m excited to share my latest experiences with you all.

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you may recall my latest post about my pottery journey before my husband’s surgery. At that time, I wanted to share my experience of throwing a bowl on the wheel for the first time. Well …making two. Ahem.

A month ago work… 😬

Since then, I’ve continued to explore this wonderful craft, and I’m happy to say that I’ve been making some great progress. I’ve been practicing new techniques, experimenting with different glazes, and honing my skills on the wheel. Even got to try opalescent glaze! It’s been a rewarding experience, and I’m excited to share some of my latest creations with you. In particular, I’m thrilled with a recent chip and dip bowl I made, which turned out to be my first truly pretty-looking piece. The sense of pride and accomplishment I felt when I finished it was indescribable last night.

The bowl is below in my gallery -it is left drying on the shelf near my fish shaped spoon. They both have to be sanded then glazed next week. Our last day of this session.

As I worked on the bowl, I found myself completely absorbed in the process. The feel of the clay in my hands, the hum of the wheel, and the satisfaction of watching my creation take shape all combined to make me feel completely present in the moment. (There is a swirl design that is made naturally when you pull clay that is hypnotic.)

When I finished the bowl and stepped back to check it out, I felt a sense of pride and that I haven’t experienced in a long time. The assistant instructor was happy to watch me work and shared a lot of advice that helped me out tremendously. It obviously sunk in. 😊

Working with clay has been therapeutic for me, especially with my hectic life this past month, and this week’s class was a reminder of just how much I love this creative outlet.

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As always, I want to express my appreciation to all of you who take the time to read and support my blog. Your kind words and encouragement mean more to me than you could ever know. I’m grateful for the opportunity to connect with so many amazing people through this platform.

Thank you for being a part of my story, and I look forward to sharing more with you soon.

till next post xoxo