Memories of ceramics and my Mom

My mother was the person who got me interested in ceramics, just as it was my father who got me interested in horses. I had always collected model horses, brought to me by my Dad when he would visit family in VA, but when I was a child Mom took a ceramics class from a friend and made me several horse pieces and a chess set. Fast forward 20 years to when I was in my late 20s and putting my first husband through medical school. A friend asked me to go to a ceramics and stained glass class with her. I was bit by the bug and by the time my parents relocated to TX in 1984 I was producing custom tiles, lamps, windows, etc. for a local builder. My Mom got interested again and we entered pieces at the Texas State Fair. Somewhere along the way I learned to make clay flowers and made a few pieces for her. Then my Dad and I started showing horses and the ceramics/glass went by the wayside.

My parents passed away in 2004 but a few days ago when I was going through a box I found one of the ceramic flowers I made for Mom. She was English and loved roses so it was a lovely surprise to see that this piece survived. I mounted it with a copper bail to use as a necklace now. I miss you Mom!