How do we motivate ourselves? That's the challenge. All the talk about the immanent collapse of our economy doesn't help, but for small fry , I can't help thinking that's only an excuse. Our job and our joy is to make beautiful pots which people want to buy. It's always been a seasonal business this selling- 35 years experience has surely taught us that. All the same, every year, there comes this wondering: will people come and buy our work ? Will we have some new ideas? Can we come up with something really good?
It's a fallow time. Nature takes time out. Shouldn't we?
I have often wondered how to encourage creative thinking. I know what discourages it- too much busy-ness. Too many tight deadlines and orders to be met. We're never in that position in February. So it ought to be a time to try new things, make mistakes, have an idea, break out of last year's shell. Ought. That's a word which sounds the death knell on ideas. They come from who knows where, but they cant be bidden. I'll make space, and be patient.
