June of 2021 I lost one of my greatest best friends. Samwise, my dog, who I had in my life for 10 wonderful years. Losing him had a tremendous impact on me, I began to reevaluate what I was spending all my time doing. Up until that moment I had been playing games and streaming on Twitch for over two years and bartending on the side.
Losing Sam made me realize that I was spending all this time and energy on something that I did not love and that I was not proud of.

Streaming never gave me a sense of accomplishment so I began brainstorming something I could do instead. Pottery was not something I considered immediately because I had spent the first 32 years of my life thinking doing something creative with my hands was just not something I would ever be good at. So it was just never something I considered. Losing Sam changed all of that, I began to think what if I made coffee mugs? I love coffee mugs and I can't think of something better suited to my introverted tendencies then to spend my evenings in the studio quietly thinking and creating things. I wanted to learn to do something I could be proud of and proud of myself for.

I knew I would never pursue that interest seriously if I considered streaming so I quit Twitch and focused all my energy on learning everything I could about Pottery. I bought some clay and various tools. Watched hundreds of videos and began to create. And fell in love with the process immediately. I ran with it and started going in the studio every night, practicing and trying to create!

Losing Sam was one of the hardest things I've ever went through but it turned my world upside down and changed my course in life for the better. Making these mugs brings me so much joy and happiness. And it's my goal to share that joy with others.

The Golden Opal is a name I decided on after spending ages brainstorming something I would like. Gold is my favorite color and Opals are my favorite stones. I also rather think it sounds like the name of an Inn in a Fantasy story somewhere. One where you could rest your weary bones and enjoy a pint of ale!