Meet Tina Newcombe

We recently connected with Tina Newcombe and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tina, thank you so much for agreeing to open up about a sensitive and personal topic like being fired or laid-off. Unfortunately, there has been a rise in layoffs recently and so your insight and experience with overcoming being let go is relevant to so many in the community.

It was March and I was starting a new job. I was a Certified Activity Director in nursing homes and assisted living facilities for over 25 years. It was my career and I enjoyed working with the elderly population. I could be creative and curious and enjoyed building relationships with my clients.

This new job was running a day program for seniors. We were at the beginning of the pandemic and on my first day at my new job, everyone was sent home to “flatten the curve” for two weeks. The two weeks turned into 2 months and despite Zoom calls with my clients, and meetings to figure out how we could proceed, it was determined that the program could not run with all the new COVID rules and regulations, and the program was dismantled. I lost my job.

I try to stay optimistic, trust my instincts, and stay grounded. I love nature and spend much of my time walking in the woods or beach, collecting shells, deep thinking, and planning my next move.

I applied for some jobs, but everything was up in the air due to the pandemic. My industry was in flux and many programs were canceled as professionals were struggling to navigate safety protocols with people in this new environment of COVID.

I trust my instincts and rely on my intuition when making decisions. I knew that it was going to be difficult to find a new job, but I started to realize that this might just be my opportunity to pursue something different that I had always wanted to do.

I have a passion for the arts and have always been creative, I painted and took pottery classes in college and had a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History. I started going back to my art, This time home allowed me to tap into my creativity and pursue art again.

First, I started collecting items on my daily walks and began creating fairy houses. which was fun and therapeutic. Then I started taking pottery classes and became obsessed with working in clay. I started to submit my work to local art centers and shows.

I was so happy and felt so satisfied creating art. I realized that while I would still need to find a job, if I could work part-time, it would allow me to still pursue my art which really ignited joy in me. So that is what I did!

I enjoy working in a studio community and am always taking a class and learning new techniques to improve my work. It has been four years now since I was laid off and now I have better balance in my life. I feel like being an artist feeds my soul and makes me so happy. I do work part time and there were sacrifices I had to make. I do not make as much money as I did when I was an Activity Director managing a department, but I have a quality in my life pursuing my passion for making art.

I was named as an Emerging Artist in August of 2024. Cape Cod Life Magazine’s art addition featured my work, which was an amazing experience. I sell my work in art shows, craft fairs, and gift shops. I am still trying to navigate my new career and will always continue to trust in myself and follow my instincts

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I love making pottery. There is a calming, meditative peace that I feel when I am working in this medium. It is very exciting and satisfying to see a piece of my work come out of the kiln. I work in a clay community and it allows for collaboration and socialization and I have made and met many wonderful people.

The first time I sold a piece of my art I cried. I was so overjoyed that someone wanted something that I made, that I put myself into. This was very exciting. I started Reiki Moon Gifts pottery in 2021.

I have a website where you can see a sample of my work and where I will be selling. I can do custom work as well.

I am a Reiki Master. Reiki is a healing art where the person is a conduit that channels healing, and positive energy. This can be sent to a person, an item, food, water, really anything. When I make my pottery, I tap into Reiki Energy and put it into each piece I create.

Tina Newcombe, Reikimoongifts.com

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Trust your gut. You know yourself and you got this. If something feels right, go with it. If something feels “off” stay true to yourself.
Don’t panic, take a deep breath. Regroup, I did this through quiet time, and long walks in the woods. I asked myself what do I want and how can I make this happen?

Build a community, network, and find like-minded folks, or people who are working in the field or industry you want to pursue.

This will bring you joy because you can talk shop build your skills and make connections.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

I would like to show my work in galleries. This is an avenue I would like to pursue, so I am beginning to research local galleries and apply to shows. This is new to me and requires research and filling out applications. I am learning techniques to photograph my work so that it looks professional when applied to shows. The challenge is time and patience, so I take my own advice; I take a deep breath and tell myself, “I’ve got this!”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://reikimoongifts.com
• Instagram: reikimoongifts