CLEANING DAY

CLEANING DAY

 

By:  Randy Gillis


 

NOTE:  Sorry it's been so long since I've updated, but I've been swamped with trying to get my house in the best shape that I can before trying to sell, working full-time and working on the building.  I promise to do better:

 

Hey guys!  Saturday was a busy day at the building.  We cleaned inside and out.  And I have proof!



She's a little groggy from such a long sleep (8 years)
 

 

The front will be painted (eventually) with a logo designed by my brilliant and totally underrated brother.

Needs a bit of a haircut.







 

The back had some overgrowth
issues until......









.....my amazing brothers got a hold of some power tools.      
                                        
 I'm not sure what you call it
 but it was loud.......







....and effective!

 

 

 

And then, it was on to the inside:

 

 

 



 

 

It was a great day.  To be back in the place where I was at my happiest has energized me to stay focused and on track.  We have some drainage issues to work on as the building takes in water during heavy rains, but we'll just add it to the list and carry on!

 

 

 

 

CLAY LIBERATION!

 

By:  Randy Gillis

 

 

At the age of 51, this is where I find myself.  I'm working a job that is becoming increasingly unsatisfying, strapped to a house that's locking me in place, and in a seemingly inescapable cycle of work, mope, sleep, mope, work......

So, Randy makes a decision.

I've decided that I would rather die poor but fulfilled, doing something that gave me tremendous pleasure in the past.  I've decided to open a pottery shop of my very own.

I figure that, at my age, I'm good for one last hurrah, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to make a go of it.  That will include, but is not limited to the following:

1. Enroll in the RCC continuing Ed night course in pottery to refreshen my skills (it has been about 8 years since I've turned).

2.  Sell my house.  My brother has generously offered me a portion of land on his property to place a mini-mobile home, next to a beautiful, cinder-block building that another brother has graciously offered to let me use as the shop. 

3.  If my house can't or won't sell, I'll continue with this as a 'weekend' business until such time as I can sell.

4.  Find a mentor in the form of a Seagrove potter willing to let me hang out and ask tons of questions.



5.  Over a period of 6 months, generate an inventory of pottery items and see if they sell.

6.  Maintain a herd of perfect goats to sacrifice to any dark lord that will offer a helping hand.




7.  Find my niche.  At one point I was able to claim bowls, vases, lidded vessels, mugs, and teapots in my repertoire.  I would like to add burial urns (for people and pets) and whimsy pieces with a decidedly homoerotic flavor, for the LGBT market.

8.  Learn as much as I can about small business management, marketing and internet sells and create a website for CLAY LIBERATION (god only knows how I'll accomplish that, but see number 6 above).

9.  Maintain this blog about my experience in the hopes that it will keep me inspired to struggle on.  And provide some laughs along the way.

10.  If things progress according to my pact with whatever demonic influence (with enough power to make it happen) I make, I would like to make a slow transition from a low-rung corporate drone to a full-time potter!


11.  Live happily ever after!



So, there it is.  The next six months are going to be CRAZY! But I feel more alive at this moment than I have in a long time. 

So, come with me.  It will at least be entertaining.

Randy