To retire or not?

After spending almost 40 years in the same trade, when does one decide it's time to call it quits and retire? There are things I would rather be doing than having to be creative on demand. Such things as doing my pottery and sculpting with metal, wood or clay. My passion for working with clay is never ending and the learning is constant. Working with metal is fascinating and wood has a natural beauty to it. But with the rising costs of life can I retire and live comfortably? I guess doing something that I enjoy is more important and as long as I can meet the bill payments I'd be good. There are always jobs out there that I could do. So part time work to supplement my pension is a possibility. The question is when do I pull the plug and take the early retirement?