I am Aisha Salahuddin, an emerging ceramicist working in Kansas City. Writing about myself is hard for me, but there are a few things I want to share with you about why I started Goodynuf. I am a Pakistani-American born and raised in the heart of America. I attended a public university and am now, and like so many, swimming in student debt. I don't use my degree as much as I had planned, but there are two things that have stuck with me from studying art and design. In architecture the principal that 'form follows function' always inspired me, and in printmaking I made the discovery that working with my hands is a retreat from everyday life.

I signed up for a wheel throwing class on a complete whim and found ceramics gave me the best of both worlds. Sitting at the wheel forces my mind to turn inward and focus on the task at hand, and the objects I was making embodied my favorite design principle.

One day, after spending countless hours attempting to throw a technically perfect cylinder, I realized I needed to stop striving for perfection. Ceramics helped me discover that there is a difference between good and good enough to rest. I learned that sure, the piece could be better but at what cost. With time I began to appreciate the slight imperfections and differences in each piece. I liked the drips on the side from the glaze and the surprises from the kiln. These things make each piece unique and interesting. In the same way, ceramics helped me become content with who I am right now and stop raking myself over the coals for not being the person I thought I should be. Just as every handmade piece is beautifully flawed so are we, as humans. I hope your Goodynuf piece serves as a reminder that you are exactly who and where you are meant to be, flaws and all. Remember to be yourself and know that that’s good enough.

Cheers!