This podcast episode takes listeners on a journey through the career of Nicole Thomas, a renowned pottery artist. She discusses her path from being a high school student with a love for pottery to becoming a teacher inspiring others to create. Nicole emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning and experimentation in pottery, as well as the significance of developing a unique artistic voice. She talks about her experiences with craft schools, the advantages of setting up a home studio, and her unique approach to creating pottery. For those starting out, Nicole advises mastering the basics and being creative with available materials. She also shares her evolution as an artist. You can learn more about Nicole by checking out her Instagram @classicclayworks   Top 3 Value Bombs: 1. Importance of Basics: Nicole stresses the importance of mastering the basic skills and materials before delving deep into pottery. She suggests starting with basic materials like a bag of clay, a sheet of canvas, and essential pottery tools. This helps beginners build efficiency and understand the material better, allowing them to create successful pieces. 2. Creating Unique Designs: Nicole shares her method of creating unique designs, which she refers to as her "signature style". She uses her fingers to create organic ridges on the pottery, adding texture and individuality to her pieces. This technique not only personalizes her work but also gives it a distinctive, recognizable style.  3. The Value of a Home Studio: Nicole shares how establishing a home studio significantly contributed to her growth as a pottery artist. A home studio allows artists to work on their own timeline, experiment freely, and not be limited by community studio schedules or guidelines. This independence can lead to increased creativity and productivity. and so much more Get your 53 themes by clicking this link shapingyourpottery.com/53themes Rate, Review, and Follow  "This podcast helps stretch you creatively…and find your “voice” in your work." >...  please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- move toward finding there own unique voice with there pottery Click scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow Now!