The Tuesday Night Pottery Club

We go through life and meet so many people over the years.  Some people come and go and others stay with you always because of the impact they have made on your life.  I just got off the phone with my dear friend, former teacher and mentor, Linnell Barnhart.  She just celebrated her 79th birthday in February.  She is such an inspiration to me. 

A sweet little vase made by Linnell

I met Linnell shortly after Bill and I moved to Sacramento in 1998.  I had been taking ceramics classes at a community college in the Seattle area before we moved and was interested in continuing with potting in Sacramento.  I had a hard time finding similar classes and ended up discovering Linnell's studio through a local ceramics supply store in Sacramento.  Over the years I took weekly classes with Linnell and learned so much about throwing pots - and about life.  She is an amazingly patient instructor who really taught me all I know about wheel throwing - among many other life lessons.  I can't thank her enough for everything she's shared with me.  I can still hear her words in my head when I throw ("strengthen your rim", "1 down and 499 to go").  She ended up being like my second mom in many ways - and ironically is only 5 days older than my mom and also has five kids. 

I loved going to Linnell's studio on Tuesday nights.  It was wonderful to get to know other potters who were taking the classes as well.  We shared  the ups and downs of our lives over the spinning of those potters wheels over the years.  When I was pregnant with the twins, I threw as long as I physically could - until my belly was too big to have the leverage I needed to throw.  After the babies were born, I took some time off but returned as soon as I could.  Fortunately, Sisu Bill had a friend come over every Tuesday night to help him with the babies, so I could get a night off and get out of the house.  Linnell's studio really became respite for me during that time.  It was a highlight of my week! 

I was really sad to leave Linnell's studio when we moved back to the Pacific Northwest.  Fortunately I had learned so much that it inspired me to start something of my own here in Woodinville.  It was fun to catch up with Linnell today to tell her all about what I've been up to and hear all her news.  She's always so supportive and positive.  She's a true role model - continuing to teach classes at her studio, teaching ceramics at a local college, taking workshops, working on her website and still having her annual holiday sale.  I only hope I can be as active and inspiring as her when I'm her age.  What a blessing she's been in my life.