birmingham

Last weekend was a weekend that Mom and I look forward to every year. It was time for our annual CCSA (Contemporary Ceramics Studio Association) Convention! This year it was held in Birmingham, AL. Nice to be somewhat close to home and enjoy some southern hospitality.


People often look at us and wonder what in the world we could do for a whole weekend surrounded by people that own studios like ours...well, of course, there are a lot of vendors with lots of new products and cool samples to see. And we were lucky enough to get to visit 2 cool studios located right there in Birmingham.


But the best part? The people! We have been in this industry for almost 8 years...we've gotten to know some folks...and they are from all over...and they deal with the same day to day stuff that we do and we get to spend 5 days finding out what works for them---and boy is this industry willing to share! We want everyone to succeed and you can feel that in the room...


For the last 4 years I have been lucky enough to call Katie my friend. She owns Doing Dishes in Jacksonville, FL. We're neighbors! We travel to convention together, room together, divide and conquer on all the great classes...and just laugh. But this year was a bit different. We actually TAUGHT a class!! I know...weird. Our class was on "everyday studio operations" and we were pleasantly surprised by the 35+ people that showed up to listen to us. :) and they even stayed after and asked questions...Its kinda cool to be asked advice by people in your own industry...God knows we continue to ask our share. :)


On the last night we always have a yummy dinner and an auction to raise money for the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer research. Its always a fun evening with cool pieces to bid on---mine went for $220!!! sorry...just a little braggy. :)

So last weekend I traveled for work. How lucky am I that my "work" is so much fun?? I get to travel to fabulous locations I probably would not have gone to otherwise...Ohio, Reno, Kansas, etc. With great friends that "get" me. Learn so much about my business and how to make it more successful. I get to meet and visit more with my suppliers that usually I only talk to on the phone. I get to see other studios and be inspired...by ideas and tricks they have learned. And I get to do all this with my Mom. Because she "gets" it, too. I honestly don't know what we would have done without all of our Pottery People over this past year...they are the ones that sent the notes of encouragement, gave the best hugs, understood our stress over the store, and even loaded our kilns during dark days...gave gifts that are priceless in every way...and more.

This weekend may been a business trip but every time I attend Convention or any gathering of my Pottery Peeps my soul is renewed...