Joyride in the neighborhood ~ Spring Green, Wisconsin USA

I feel fortunate to know Ashley and Shannon of Wilson Creek Pottery. They are light hearted, deeply passionate people who give freely, and refer to their closest friends as "superfriends." When we last spent time together, we went to visit them in their new home in idyllic Spring Green, Wisconsin. Still freshly inspired from their month long trip to India, Shannon taught me how to make Ghee and we feasted on homemade Indian food. We visited Ash's Pottery Studio, met a neighboring Rhasta donkey, played a riveting game of pictionary, ate inappropriately large amounts of warm pretzels & curds, and toured the Hindu Temple that happened to be on a nearby estate. It makes me smile just thinking about it. In a short weekend, Eric and I got a colorful taste of their new life.

I witnessed them take a chance and move from the city they knew for years, to seek "greener pastures" with a new house and pottery business. I had to imagine there was a lot leading up to this decision. I wanted to know, how did they turn a "what if" into a reality? When I interviewed them for their story, they immediately brought up a guiding concept that has influenced their decisions. One that deeply resonated with me and set me on a my own course to make tremendous changes with my job and life.

Choose a lifestyle, not a career.

Beginning in our early youth, we're conditioned to focus our attention on what career we'd want. Is that really the guidepost that would provide the fufillment that we seek? What would happen if we asked children "how do you want to live?" rather than "what do you want to be when you grow up?" This quote was exactly what I needed to hear at the time, and I'd like to share with you some key principles that supported their journey. For those who are on the fence...I hope it might be just what you need to spring into action!

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Get inspired & dig deep.
Ashley read and reflected on the insights of writers and luminaries that she admired, all of which guided her overall approach towards life. One person in particular, her art professor, John Slavik, also had a particularly strong influence. He achieved a balance that she had always wanted: he gave time to himself creatively as well as giving time to the people he loved. Also, there are sacrifices to consider with anything that you desire...whether that takes the form of money or time spent. For Ashley, it meant simplfying her life to gain more time.

Give weight to what you want.
Ashley had a job she enjoyed. She was happy, but there were still facets of her life that were unfufilled. When Katrina happened, they wanted to be able to react quickly and help, but work schedules didn't allow for it. After several trips abroad were denied, it was clear her job situation was not aligned with how she wanted to be able to use her time. Outside of work, she and Shannon dreamt of a quiet life set in nature with neighboring animals. (Fainting goats and mini donkeys...to be specific!) They wanted to create a home for friends and family that was a sanctuary, yet offered new experiences.

Let it reveal itself. Stay open and get out there.
Originally they weren't looking to buy a house, let alone a business. However, a dinner with her art professor's family led to discussions of a "what-if" opportunity. One where Ashley would have the chance to apprentice and transition a pottery business from the previous owner. Unsure, but open to the idea, they took a fun road trip to check out the house and studio. When they arrived, the ideas came pouring in. Suddenly, the space and the life that they could have, started to take shape in their minds.

Be courageous & stay the course. Gather like-minded support.
Shannon provided a backbone of support to aid in taking the risk. The move to Wisconsin required a substancial investment and bet on a career that was uncertain and taking that leap was scary. But to Ashley,

"It was scarier to think that I might let it pass by."

Create a legacy.
Pottery is especially meaningful to Ashley, "being that it's meant to be touched and used. To be shared during a meal, one of the most important things to do together." There is an intimate quality to her work because her pieces are tied to personal events for her customers. Wilson Creek Pottery, has been a go-to place for Spring Green locals to get gifts for weddings and special occassions for years. The pottery is durable and stays around so long that families collect and enjoy them generation after generation. And in the same spirit, Ashley hopes to carry the torch lit by Peggy Ahlgren (the previous potter of 40 years) while bringing to it a rustic, yet modern perspective.

• • •

I'm excited to see Ashley's work evolve and whether we're preparing or gathering around the table for a meal, we're reminded of Spring Green and a potter's loving touch. (Shown: Milk Jug Vase & Honey Pot) --> Visit Wilson Creek Pottery to see more of Ashley's designs.

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Sofia at El Mercado Central in San José, Costa Rica. — Sofia at El Mercado Central in San José, Costa Rica.

We are continuing our adventures in Costa Rica with Sofia Protti founder and designer at cueropapel&tijera who is taking us on a tour of her regular lunch spot in San José. This place happens to be El Mercado Central where you can find little sodas (eateries) and all kinds of colorful wares. A place you can really soak in some atmosphere, let's go?!!

• • •

I went to El Mercado yesterday! It was nice to visit this time having in mind what things would be interesting to see and to know for other people. I enjoy food so much that El Mercado is like a party to me. Herbs, seafood, vegetables, lots of fruits, the smell of plantain leaves that are so usual at this time of the year to cook "tamales" our traditional Christmas meal... uh! It is wonderful!

I never get bored here, as there is always something new! A different kind of "chili" or a new fruit, or simply a little spot that has been there for years, that you haven't noticed before. As usual, what I did yesterday was to have Fresco de frutas, a frozen fruit juice made of chopped fruits (banana and papaya mostly) and syrup. This is so classic, and delicious. So after the walk you have to do to get to El Mercado, where you need to start your journey is Fresco de Frutas.

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After that, I wander around the market to see the handicrafts. You can find the traditonal market bags made out of "cabuya" (a natural fiber produced here), small leather bags, post cards, baskets, and "hamacas." The coffee shops are all over too.

My favorite picks are the "cabuya" bags because of their colors, the thread, and their long lasting quality. Every housewife in Costa Rica should have one, as all our grandmas did. It is so meaningful to me. Not only for the colors and shape, but for the memories I have going to the market with my grandma. Her bag was aged and had so much personality that I found it unique and special and also because of all the good stuff we put in it.

Leather handicrafts are also my favorites. I get so much inspiration here as I am always trying to reinterpret the traditional styles into my own modern version of it.

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• • •

Then I finally go back to Soda San Martin. The place where I get my fresco de frutas and my soup. This place was stablished in 1953, and it is well known for the typical local food. Their specialty is the Olla de Carne, a meat soup with a lot of vegetables, but today I was craving the Seafood soup!

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Tell us a bit about your country and your work...

What I love the most about my home place is our style. We are easy going, friendly, full of opportunities, education, and progressing forward is a chance that everyone has.

One thing I would like to see improved is our ambition (in a good sense). Costa Rica is such a good place to live that we easily get into a "comfort zone" that makes us lose our competitiveness. We lack ambition and a sense of empowerment, which I admire in other countries. I studied Industrial Design at the University, but leather has been a part of my life since I was a little girl. My grandpa who was a leather craftsman supported our family by creating leather bookbinding and other crafts. I loved being at his workshop playing or "working" with little pieces of leather during my free time. I decided to switch from my design career to my grandpa's passion.

When he got sick, I realized that the only thing I could do to keep him "alive" was to do what he loved.

I did not start the business thinking it was going to be my grandpa´s business forever, and by the time I felt strong and clear about what I wanted to do, I decided to take the best of his work and make my own version of it. So that´s how I founded CueroPapel&Tijera* in 2008. (*leather paper & scissors)

Costa Rica's essence is easy to infuse into my products. For inspiration, I visit local spots for coffee, talk to people, and I take lots of pictures of every flower I find, the sky, greens in the views, rain, and everything that resembles our country. So I AM Costa Rica and translating this feeling to my designs is something I do through texture, color, and simplicity. A very Costa Rican saying, Pura Vida, means an agreement of life to me! We say "Pura Vida" intead of saying "hi" or "ok." "Pura Vida," is our phrase for everything. We even say it in place of "thanks!"

So, this is exactly who we are: "Pure Life."

(Follow Sofia on Instagram (@sofiaprotti) to see more of this pure and colorful Costa Rican life.)

What is one thing you recommend to do in Costa Rica to experience this Pura Vida?

My recommendation would be to see a sunset with a cup of coffee. Trust me our coffee is the best. The air is so perfect and the light is gold. Birds sing and you can have tamales with coffee, which is pretty close to glory I guess.

SOFIA'S FAVORITES FOR SAN JOSE:

Lunch spot:
Soda San Martin in El Mercado Central

Coffee:
Sofia's daily favorite coffee "1820." The name refers to the year Costa Rica started exporting coffee beans. Coffee production used to be the country's main economic activity (it is now tourism), and still remains the biggest export.

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Sharing always goes both ways, giving and taking. Thank you Alla and Mu-Hsien for taking the time and showing interest in my small unique homeland, Costa Rica. I hope others can also join this giving and taking experience, from which I have already learned so much.

Always welcome to Pura Vida land!
- - -
Sofia
OTSP Neighbor Profile : Cuero Papel & Tijera

Thank you global neighbor Sofia for taking us to lunch and sharing your Pura Vida way of thinking and working... I think we are definitely inspired to pay closer attention to nature's kaleidoscope and be open to the inspiration it sends our way! (Photos: via Sofia) ~ Sofia helps us infuse our life with vibrant colors and simple and pure Costa Rican sensibility through her modern yet rich in history artisan leather bags and accessories.