My pity party... and you're all invited

So so tired. This has been a very busy week. Many, many hours in the studio. Many, many hours sanding, glazing, loading kilns, unloading kilns... There are days when I wish I could chronicle just what goes into doing what I do. I know there are many of you who understand completely. Those of you who make your entire living from what you make with your hands. Those who sell online, do shows, sell wholesale, promote, photograph, network, blog, ship... and that isn't even the actual making part. My work day lasts all day, every day. I feel guilty when I stop for even an hour. I can't even relax and watch TV without feeling like I should be working at the same time. So I do. I make pieces, I make components, I stamp bags to get ready for shows, I line boxes with tissue, I make lists of supplies that I desperately need and rarely can afford, I fill out show applications, I write articles for publication... suddenly this time of relaxation is no longer that.

It's a different ballgame when creating isn't your hobby, it's your living. It is both stressful and therapeutic. It is both enslaving and liberating. It is often solitary and solipsistic. There are days when it feels effortless and others when each and every move drains all the blood from my body.

So this is the part where I'm supposed to say "And yet I would have it no other way! I love what I do!" Well, yes, it's true, but still... it's hard and don't let anyone tell you differently.

Having said all that and gotten it out of my system, I am done feeling whiny and sorry for myself. And please, don't feel obligated to cater to my mood. I know you all know where I am coming from and have felt the same way from time to time and I thank you for indulging me during my pity party (...if you read this far, and I would not blame you if you didn't!).

(Yes, I changed my background again. I think I am done now. I needed some color, the last brown one was just toooooooo brown.)