We are proud to share the heartfelt story of one of Atoly’s customers, who reinvented her life after forty by building her own ceramics studio. This is Part 1 of her journey.
The Beginning of the Journey
The year 2020 surprised me just as much as it did many others. From one day to the next, I found myself without a job, and the lockdown suddenly left me with an enormous amount of free time. I couldn’t return to my old job: in fact, I was already exhausted by it. Approaching forty, I began to fear for my future.
To cope with that fear, I decided to engage in something artistic. Weak internet and long hours spent at home pushed me to stare out of the window, observing light and how it changed. I thought it would be nice to try and paint it, especially the clouds at night, lit up by the full moon.
During the rare trips out for groceries, I bought cheap paints at the supermarket. I slowly started painting on sheets of paper I had at home. Those first attempts were modest, but they brought me immense joy.
When the lockdown ended, I decided to attend evening classes to learn how to paint. There, I came across a one-week painting course, which, when it finished, left me with a strong sense of dissatisfaction. So I started looking for another school where I could continue learning.
At the second school, I found a drawing course, which didn’t really suit my interests, but it eventually led me to a ceramics class. And that’s where the breakthrough happened.
Clay immediately fascinated me. It’s one of the easiest materials to use, yet it offers endless possibilities. I began taking classes in slab building, pottery wheel throwing, and decorative techniques. Every contact with the material was a discovery. That was the first time I thought: maybe I can make this my career.
The Turning Point
While attending ceramic classes, I experimented with different techniques. I grew especially fond of sculpture, but I noticed that at the school I attended, pottery wheel classes were so popular that you had to wait (even stand in line!) to get a spot.
That’s when I decided that when I opened my own studio, I would start by teaching wheel throwing. I believed it was essential to understand what clients expected and what could be sold quickly so that the business could begin generating income as soon as possible.
Setting Up the Studio
I had a small terrace at the back of my house, which I decided to use to open my first studio. I asked myself a very important question: What can I afford, and what is absolutely necessary to start such a small studio?
My choice came down to a pottery wheel and a small second-hand ceramic kiln, which I managed to buy at a good price. I also purchased a sturdy table, essential for preparing clay, and simple tools (mostly kitchen utensils) which, surprisingly, work perfectly in ceramics.
After buying the necessary tools and materials, I spent nine months practicing wheel throwing relentlessly, day after day. I knew that practice was absolutely crucial, but at the same time, I began to think about how I would later pass this knowledge on to my future students.
Learning and Preparing
I realized that practice alone wasn’t enough and that theory was also needed. So I bought several books on ceramics and watched dozens of YouTube videos, which helped me deepen my understanding of the craft.
During the learning process, I was often overwhelmed with doubt. I thought I was crazy for wanting to teach others when I myself knew so little. I struggled with the feeling that my knowledge and skills were too limited to share with anyone.
Only now, with years of perspective behind me, do I see it differently. I believe that when teaching beginners, it’s best to be an intermediate-level teacher. That’s when it’s easiest to understand the struggles and dilemmas of someone who is just starting out. At that stage, you can be the best guide for beginners, not because you know everything, but because you are still close to their experience.
First Steps in Business
Despite my limited formal education and the modest equipment of my studio, I had an ace up my sleeve. My partner built a booking system and a website for me. That literally saved my life, because as an introvert I find answering phone calls exhausting. With a website, I could present myself as a professional while also reducing the kind of direct interactions that drained me.
On my site and social media pages, I began posting photos of my work and of the small space I had arranged. I also wrote my first blog post: a clumsy description of my activity. In fact, all my first posts were extremely awkward, since before opening the studio I hadn’t even used Facebook.
On October 1st, I launched the booking system and… held my breath.
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Conclusion
That’s how my journey began. From a moment of doubt and uncertainty during the lockdown, through my first timid painting attempts, to a fascination with ceramics and the opening of my own studio. Every step was filled with hesitation and fear, but also with the growing sense that I was moving toward the life I truly wanted to live.
Changing careers after forty is not easy. It takes courage, patience, and a willingness to start from scratch. But looking back now, I know one thing for sure. It was worth the risk.
This is part 1 of our interview series. You can read the other parts by following the links below: