Tool school

Margaret came over this afternoon with a mission: to save my pottery tools from my complete lack of organization system. Apparently, tossing everything into a canvas bag after class isn’t ‘proper tool care.’ Who knew?

Tool school

She spread everything out on a towel in the living room and started showing me how each tool needs specific wrapping, which ones can’t touch each other, the whole nine yards. I’m sitting there realizing I’ve been treating my pottery tools like gym equipment - functional, sure, but definitely not with the reverence they deserve.

Taking notes like the good student I pretend to be

The woman has a system for everything. Even brought little cloth pouches for the delicate tools and explained why certain clays can contaminate others if you’re not careful. I’m taking notes like I’m back in nursing school, except this time Jake’s lurking around taking pictures instead of quizzing me on medical terminology.

Turns out organization isn’t just about looking neat - it’s about respecting the craft. Margaret’s been doing this for forty years and her tools still look brand new. Mine look like they’ve been through a blender. Note to self: maybe listen to the master potter when she offers to teach you something.