One of the themes that comes up at times when weavers (or any creative folk, no doubt) is that of ‘succeeding’ in our chosen field.
I don’t call myself successful at anything except not giving up.
If you take society’s definition of success (I. E. making pots of money) I am such a failure. In fact for many years my definition of success was to make enough money that I would have to pay income tax. :-/
But. But.
IF you define success as having a life I chose, with all it’s ups and downs, all the challenges inherent in running a home based business where the only over worked underpaid person was myself? Yes I have done that.
IF you define success as choosing my goals and following the path to completion as best as my talent and determination could take me? I have done that.
IF you define success as keeping body and soul together with a supportive partner? I have been blessed to follow that path.
IF you define success as not letting societal expectations if wealth push me into places I did not want to go? I have (just barely) managed that.
There have been plenty of failures along the way. But in the long run (and by that I mean since 1975 when I chose weaving as my life/career) the thing I have done best was, quite simply, not giving up my dream, of trying something else, taking a different path or approach when things weren’t working out.
Success? Failure? I’m just doing the best I can. Ultimately that is all anyone can do….