Wednesday, August 21, 2013

If You Don't At First Succeed, Try, Try Again...

Hi, I’m Patricia Bradley and I’m the black sheep of the group. Today’s blog is supposed to be about a stitching craft…and I am a knitter, but somehow when I signed up for Woven Wednesdays, I thought a blog about pottery would fit. Go figure. By the time I realized my mistake, I was one week from two deadlines. So, Crystal graciously gave me the go-head with my pottery blog. (THANK YOU)

I started doing pottery when I needed an occupation for a character. Working with clay was something I’d always wanted to do, and that gave me the excuse. I took a 3-day course, and my instructor…sighed. He did say I was the most determined student he ever had.


My first pot:

See what he meant. It wasn't even big enough for a Chihuahua.

So what do you do when your beginning is not very auspicious? Well, if you are a first-born child, a Type A personality, and an over-achiever...you Try, Try again. And when that doesn't work, you keep plugging away. 

And one day, whether it's a piece of clay or a painting, or putting words on paper, or well, anything you have a passion for, it will come together. It may not be high art, or fine china, or an award winning novel, but your diligence and hard work will pay off. You will have something you're proud of. 

This is a piece I made a couple of years later. I've made bigger and fancier pieces, but this pit-fired bowl is one I particularly like:

Besides, I sold all those bigger and fancier pieces. 

I guess all of this is say, if you have a passion, don't let someone like my pottery teacher discourage you. Sure, if you have a natural talent for something, it'll be easier, but I think if you have passion and you practice and learn correct technique, you can overcome most obstacles. Now, I play in the mud for the pure joy of throwing a piece of clay on a wheel and feeling it come alive under my hands.

One last photo:
 Has there ever been a time someone told you that you'd never be able to do something? What did you do about it?

Pat Trainum writing as Patricia Bradley
www.patriciabradleyauthor.com
http://mbtponderers.blogspot.com/
@PTBradley1

Shadows of the Past from Revell February 2014

I asked God to teach me patience and He gave me a book to write



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15 comments:

  1. Amber LemusAugust 21, 2013 at 11:16 AM

    Great post, Patricia!

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  2. Patricia BradleyAugust 21, 2013 at 11:58 AM

    Thank you for stopping by, Amber.

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  3. Jessica R. PatchAugust 21, 2013 at 12:08 PM

    Great encouragement today, Pat! I've always wanted to make pottery. It looks fun.

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  4. Patricia BradleyAugust 21, 2013 at 12:24 PM

    It is so much fun. You don't live too far...come on over one day! Thanks for stopping by, Jessica.

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  5. dtopliffAugust 21, 2013 at 4:58 PM

    My first writing was poetry. I applied for Jr. High journalism & wasn't accepted, so I was SURE I could not write articles--besides, I convinced myself I did not want to. When I moved 2,000 miles to a new location I was challenged to write articles for a good Chris. newspaper. I was sure I could not do it but a friend who did write articles told me it's a simple matter of providing a beginning, middle & ending & she'd check my 1st one. Unbelievably, it worked and 61 articles later, it's been a great way to meet Chris. leaders in my new location and become part of the faith fabric here. So thankful God helps us do the impossible things that we can't do. And I LOVE your pottery--keep up all of your skilled crafts.

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    Replies
    1. Patricia BradleyAugust 21, 2013 at 9:59 PM

      Thanks for your encouragement, Dee! You are a great writer...oh, I wish I had a little of your poetic voice! Thanks for stopping by to visit Stitches Thru Time

      Delete
  6. Britney AdamsAugust 21, 2013 at 5:35 PM

    Great post and beautiful pottery! Perseverance pays off!!

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    Replies
    1. Patricia BradleyAugust 21, 2013 at 10:00 PM

      Yes, Britney, I've learned perseverance does pay off. Look at me--it took me 33 years to get a book published! Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  7. Melanie BackusAugust 22, 2013 at 1:41 AM

    Good for you to keep trying. Your bowl is beautiful and so are your words.

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  8. Patricia BradleyAugust 22, 2013 at 8:18 AM

    Thank you Melanie. You have blessed me today!

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  9. CherylAugust 22, 2013 at 9:25 AM

    Pat said, "If you have passion and you practice and learn correct technique, you can overcome most obstacles." Well now, you've just described how I've accumulated thousands of JPEGS on several hard drives! I want everyone who reads this blog to know that I'm the proud owner of several of Pat's pottery pieces. Cherished samples of diligence, fortitude, and leaning upon His everlasting arms.

    Thanks, Pat.

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    Replies
    1. Patricia BradleyAugust 22, 2013 at 11:22 PM

      Thank you, Cheryl. And I am the proud owner of several beautiful flower photographs, not to mention my profile photo! So glad you stopped by.

      Delete
    2. Patricia BradleyAugust 22, 2013 at 11:23 PM

      Forgot to mention you took the photos! :-)

      Delete
  10. Elaine StockAugust 24, 2013 at 10:44 AM

    Actually, seems like all my childhood I've received negativity and questions on what I've wanted to do. Finally I got smart & stopped listening :)

    Great pottery, Pat. Enjoyed learning something new about you.

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  11. Patricia BradleyAugust 26, 2013 at 4:22 PM

    Thanks, Elaine. One thing I didn't have in the post--when I was in the 7th grade, my art teacher brought her potter's wheel to school and she actually told me I'd never be a potter. Guess that's one reason I was so determined. lol

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