Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Why I Blog

I started reading the blogs of Doug, Andrew, Paul and Matt back in early 2008 and was transported to the pottery studios of England through their words and photos. I think this is where my reading less books all began. I used to sit down every evening and read a book and I found myself, instead sitting down with my laptop to read blogs. I found other blogs through these four and lurked about for a while before I figured out the comments thing. I started thinking that I might like to have a blog, but really had nothing to blog about and didn't really feel worthy of actually calling myself a potter. I was still struggling with making a bowl and a mug! And then..........
I fired my first wood kiln with my good buddies Susan and Laura and I felt like a real potter and I was bursting with enthusiasm and wanted to tell everyone I saw about this firing. Look at our faces! I can still remember the feeling of seeing the dawn break the morning we finished firing and I still remember that first peek in the kiln. And so, in May of 2008, my blog began. This is just another creative outlet for me. When I was a kid I made collages and painted. When I was a designer I made story boards and drew floor plans. When Wes was little I made scrap books. Now I create with clay, but I still like to lay out words and images and blogging is a natural extension of all of this- photographing fun things I do, telling fun stories, fussing about injustice, whining, meeting interesting people, passing on a cool idea, sharing music and books and bragging about my family, friends and students. I have lots of opinions and don't mind expressing them, much to my husband's dismay sometimes, I see lots of things I want to tell everyone about, I like sharing any information I have that I think might be helpful to others, I like when people share information with me so that I can learn more, and I like the support I get when I'm having a rough day or having a pity party, as we all know I have from time to time. I've had a place to stay and have been fed from time to time thanks to potters like Meredith Heywood and Michael Kline, I have had my own personal video tutorials from Brandon Phillips, which taught me more than some teachers, I have received wonderful gifts from potters like Hollis Engley, Jen Mecca, Carol Epp, and Trish Denholm, I get posts lifting me up when I need it most from Judy, Linda, Gay, Meredith, Jen, Ron, Joy, Paul, Cindy, Cindy,Patricia, Ang, Jim, Andrew, Kari, Laura,Judi,Jeff, Peter, Tig, Blaine,Doug, Matt, (I know I am going to leave someone out, just leave your name on a post here!!!!) and soon I will be a part of an amazing show in Southern Pines that Meredith is putting together with all of these bloggers that I talk with every day. So Meredith asked us to write about why we blog. I blog to share information that I hope will help other potters that might be struggling with the same thing I was struggling with, I blog to ask questions of those more experienced than me, I blog to share some happiness that I can't keep to myself, I blog to brag about my talented daughter and husband (hope that isn't too obnoxious, but I love them!) I blog to read about others that are bragging and sharing their happiness about their families, I blog to be transported to another part of the world for a brief moment, I blog to get a sanity check, just to make sure, I blog to get opinions on things I am unsure of, but mostly I am blogging with new friends that get what I'm doing, because they are doing it too. It's a weird life to explain and understand and I am really glad all of you are there at the touch of a keyboard and a monitor when I need you! Blog On Mates!
XOXO
Laura Farrow, me and Susan Wells toasting our first wood firing, May 2008

16 comments:

ang design said...

ah the 'fab 4'from uk, they do get around eh??! nice write up trace and we do love your voice.. 'edgey' as you are...and you prob say all the things i wouldn't..it's fun!

Jen Mecca said...

You also just write so well......!!

Hollis Engley said...

Blog on, yourself, mate. Good to be a part of this crowd.

Linda Starr said...

And thanks for a great blog, I've learned a lot here and on so many other blogs too. Great photos of your first firing.

cookingwithgas said...

Cheers Tracey!
You make me laugh and think- great traits in a friend.
Blog on girl I have had my customers comment to me about reading your blog and they love the honesty of it.
I hope we can see one another soon!

Judy Shreve said...

Great post! This blogging community is amazing -- nurturing, funny, inspiring, and always interesting. I'm so happy to be a part of it.

It's interesting that you say you don't read books as much anymore -- me either. I guess we get our reading done online now. But I sometimes feel guilty that I don't read as much.

Tracey Broome said...

you guys are what makes this blog so fun! Thanks to all of you for reading. Judy, I have started picking up books again recently, is is a shame to let a computer take that away. Plus, Wesley is reading such great books at school I get good referrals.

potterboy said...

Oh god, it's that photo again...

Have to say, for various reasons, your blog is one I look out for, so don't stop or else I'll have nothing to read.

Tracey Broome said...

I love this photo! and same to you, I love reading your blog, don't stop!!

Kari Weaver said...

Your blog is great to read because you don't hold back. Keep it coming. I need the food for thought!

potterboy said...

You've found my new blog, I presume?

http://thegatehousepottery.wordpress.com/

Tracey Broome said...

Andrew, I didn't know you had a new blog, just thought you had stopped. I'm going there right now!

FuturePrimitive Soap Co. said...

Ace post. I love the pic of your first firing. Your faces say it all. I love tuning into your blog. Yours is one of the most inspiring to me. I love all the pics and the way you write makes me feel good about everything I do over here...dunno why it just does.
x

Tracey Broome said...

Tig, I'm glad you like the blog. I enjoy yours very much as well, although I don't comment as much as a I should, I still read it and feel very inspired by all that you are doing over there :) Your soaps are amazing! I would still like them for my raku soap trays.

Sister Creek Potter said...

Me, too! Thanks for expressing it so well.

Julie Whitmore Pottery said...

Its refreshing, your writing, its easy to see you are generous and forthright. I'm impressed with your test tiles, and those pots for planting are perfect, love the wave and the depression in the lip.