In her fall newsletter, Nan announced that she was closing her countryside studio, and downsizing into an apartment in Charlottesville, Va. Semi-retiring, she is now going to teach classes at City Clay, and maintain a small studio. "That's weird," I thought, because this is exactly what I've been planning for myself down the road. Full-time pottery is very physical and I'm not sure I want to do it past age 60. Maybe 55. I think it's smart to think ahead to a downsized life, so I'll be ready to move on when my back and wrists start calling it quits. I would love to get back to teaching classes then, and maybe maintain a small studio. The only difference is that I won't be moving from a country house to a city apartment, my plan is to move from a city house to a beach apartment. But generally speaking, I will be following in her footsteps again.
So I had to visit her studio one last time while I had the chance, and some friends came along: Karen Arrington, Jonathan Gordy, Karen Morgenstern, and her brother Neil. We had a grand time, chatting and catching up, talking shop, and drooling over gorgeous pots. Her studio/classroom is set up as a showroom through the end of the year. She is selling pots, studio equipment and furniture. I bought several nice pots, and also a Thomas Stuart wheel! I've wanted one for so long. I consider them to be the best, something I planned to treat myself to "someday." I've been throwing on it for a week now, it is so sturdy and solid. I'm in love. My older Bailey wheel is now a dedicated trimming station, which is very convenient.
Here is the sake set I bought from Nan last week.
And here is my new Thomas Stuart wheel. I was a little worried about whether I had room for it in the studio, but it turns out to be fairly compact, and it fit right in. Also, big huge thanks to Jonathan and Neil who carried it down the stairs into my basement. It is solid metal and really heavy!