What's the value of a mug?

Determining how much to invest in something you value isn't as easy as it seems

Photo by Sonalika Vakili on Unsplash

Undeterred by the grey sky and sheet of mist, I put on my shoes and went out to see the craft show. 

The familiar tables ran along both sides of the street for several blocks, each adorned with the work of the person behind the table. They’d put their time — and often their resources and identity — into creating the objects displayed before them.

I anticipated seeing pottery, paintings, and drawings, but I also discovered remarkable cooking utensils, fire pits, and utilitarian bags as I plodded my way up and down the street. 

I stopped first at Mary’s¹ table. She crafted beautiful pottery by hand, including what I thought was an exquisite mug. I followed my rule and went through the whole show before returning to the booths that still stuck out in my mind. I figure if I can’t remember it, I don’t need it.

I went back to Mary, her cobalt blue mug still tingling my brain. I picked it up. I looked at it. I also looked at the price.

I ultimately decided to l…