I spent a lot of time thinking about the name of my pottery studio. Ultimately, I chose Second Fire since it aptly reflects my vision for this space—a life lived fully and then reshaped.
After more than 30 years as an educator, supervisor, and coach, I found myself returning to something that had quietly stayed with me since I was 14 years old: working with clay. Since the first day of ceramics class at Trumbull High School in Connecticut, I have been captivated. There's something grounding, creative, and deeply human about shaping clay with my hands.
While I truly enjoyed molding, shaping, and clay, life, as it does, moves forward. Family, children, graduate school (not once, but twice!), and a meaningful career in education took center stage. As my family grew, time to follow my passion was limited, but I still found small moments (and small studios) to reconnect.
Then, a few years ago, I found my way back. In 2018, a studio in Branchburg became more than a place to create—it became a refuge. Thursday nights have become sacred; my family and my friends know it's my time. In that space, surrounded by people of all ages and backgrounds, I rediscovered not only my love for clay but also the joy of community: learning together, laughing together, sharing stories, and simply being present.
Working with clay is irreplaceable. It requires patience, invites imperfection, and rewards persistence.
It grounds you in the moment while allowing for transformation—much like the field of education, and life itself.
Second Fire represents this return, this renewal. In ceramics, the "second firing" is where pieces gain strength, permanence, and beauty. In life, it can mark a new chapter—one where experience, passion, and purpose come together in a deeper, more intentional way.
This studio is my Second Fire. It can be yours too. Come join me!— Fran