Why All the Rainbows?

Why All the Rainbows?

Why rainbows? I'll tell you. In the fall of 2015, I was working hard making pottery for Christmas. One afternoon for fun, I made three little test pieces, each hand thrown on the wheel. I gave one to my mom and kept one. They started like the plate below, just a little hint of rainbow with more areas of color. 

I loved them! It was my whole color palette on one piece? Yes please! They were so fun and fresh. My excitement over the rainbow pots was palpable. I think it was contagious even, people really enjoyed the rainbows, and they started selling well. So I quit making them. Yes, you read that last sentence correctly. Customers liked a product, it was selling well, so I quit making it. It doesn't make sense, but it does if you suffer from a critical inner voice.

I could go on and on about what causes an inner critical voice, but I'm not a therapist and it's different for everyone. I will just say it sucks. You make some awesome pots and this little voice says well...it's nice, but. 

It goes something like: What's so great about your rainbow pots? You think those colors really work well together? Ugh!

I remember my niece, Molly, telling me I was really hard on myself when she was in high school and I was in my twenties. What did she know!? It turns out a lot. 

My critical voice seems to like to rear its ugly head when I am stressed and newsflash, running your own business can be very stressful. That doesn't mean it is going to win though. I started making rainbow pots again last year and I have to tell you this last batch of rainbow mugs is amazing! (So take that critical inner voice!)

Heidi Fahrenbacher Rainbow Mugs

Whatever happened to that third test piece? To be honest, I gave it to my mom. My parents' cat, Lily, broke the first one so I gave her the third one as a replacement. See Lily below.

Lily on the Kiln

 

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1 comment

Hi. I think all the pieces are beautiful. I met you at the Sutton’s Bay art fair.
Hoping for one “x” amidst all the "o"s on the rainbow mugs. Thank you, and just let me know!

mary blake

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