Meet Meg Egerton

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Meg Egerton. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Meg below.

Meg, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

My father was a talented man and artist who could draw, paint, woodwork, write books, you name it. I always wanted to have some of his skill and especially with drawing but it wasn’t to be (I am a very strong stick figurist!). Right up until my forties I was always looking for my self worth in others praise, love or kindness towards me. I would focus on helping others and loving them but never myself. I took a pottery course with my kids for fun and fell in love. Eventually they lost interest but I didn’t. Through pottery I found myself. I learned to centre clay and myself. I learned to love the pieces I created (despite their imperfections) while also learning to love the person I am. I no longer looked to others for validation and started to accept my pottery and myself as I was, faults and all.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am a principal of a Kindergarten to grade 8 school in Kanata during the day and evenings and weekends I am a potter. The worlds often collide as I have brought pottery lessons into the school and given students the opportunity to explore clay and get to know themselves at the same time. I try hard to make the pottery fun and functional with the hope it will be either enjoyed, bring some laughter and actually be used often. I love to try making new things and experiment with clays and glazes as often as possible. I enjoy my time at the Carp and Lansdowne Markets as it is a chance to see my work through the eyes of others and hear their ideas and thoughts. I often get my greatest sellers from other market vendors, customers and my family. When I retire from the school board I hope to expand into giving pottery lessons and volunteering at schools to teach pottery. From May to October you can find me every Saturday at the Carp Market and from November – December at both the Carp and Lansdowne Farmer’s Markets.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I think I have actually learned the 3 most important qualities and skills that were most impactful along my pottery journey. I have learned to accept imperfections and recognize that their value, to persevere as anything is possible with practice and love what you do so it doesn’t feel like work. These are very similar to the things I have learned about myself. I expected instant results but have come to learn that it is the things you work the hardest on that bring you the most happiness. I thought that my value was determined by others but pottery has taught me that everything has value and I am no exception – my value is in my good, annoying and bad qualities. Finally, I have learned that finding something you are passionate and really love to do also helps you to love yourself a little more too.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

The biggest challenge for me is trying to find life balance. With a full time job and a full time pottery career there is little time for rest and as I head towards the end of my career in education, I want to ensure I am giving it all I can while also making time for my family, friends and myself. I haven’t been very successful in 2024 but I remain committed to finding ways to maximize my work time and carve out some me time.

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