I was looking at some odd pots at my mom’s house and I came across this little gem that had my name on the bottom. From the glaze I’m guessing it was made during my very first foray into pottery when I took a class at the Rec Center at Cal Poly. That would make it one of the first pieces I ever made!

I must have been proud of it since I gave it to my mom - the vase form is tricky for a beginner.

It amazes me that this was the start of my pottery career. Who would have thought that the humble pieces from this class would go on to derail my architectural aspirations, lead me to change both majors and colleges and ultimately lead into the wonderful life I’ve had as a potter. I can still remember the smell of the clay the first time I opened a bag and the way it felt to squish my fingers into it. It’s funny how vivid that memory is after all these years, like a first kiss.

In Japan pots are revered for their perfect imperfections and unique characteristics that they call their ‘wabi sabi’. Looking at this little vase I can see how that is. Magically this wobbly little piece, and the companions it had at the time, captured my heart and led me forward in a totally unexpected direction. I am grateful that I stumbled into the Rec Center all those years ago and found my destiny.

Have you had an experience that changed your life like that?