Seems like a lot of extra work for a pump that's rarely touched, doesn't it?

That feeling is the BEST.

Oh, I get where you're coming from. It's true that most people just see the final look, not where the colors started. I guess the "real" color idea is more about a feeling for the person making the thing, like a personal starting point. But you're right, it doesn't automatically make the design work. A bad color combo is still bad, even if you pulled it from a beautiful sunset. The end result is what actually matters to everyone else.

Oh my god, yes. Found my old sketchbook last month and it was all these fearless, messy drawings. Now I stare at a blank page forever. What was your wildest story idea?

Oh totally, @sarah_harris is right about the heat thing! I glued a handle back on once and it just snapped again after some hot water. That mug had this faded dinosaur on it, I was so bummed.