Often, after I’ve had a big creative flurry I hit a bump. Occasionally this might be a creative block when I can’t think of anything to make. Usually, it’s a case of mishaps. Two steps forward and one step back. Growth can be messy and frustrating.
I was asked to make a napkin holder by a friend (one on the right) and decided to also try another shape (one on the left) too. I like both of these and am working on adding these shapes to my inventory. Do you use a napkin holder? Do you have a preference of shape or function? Click on this photo to tell me!
It’s been that kind of week in the clay studio. A figurative wheel spinning has been in place. For me, the creative process works like this. I’ve learned to accept it and not get caught up in the failures. I try to learn from the mistakes and fold that knowledge into the ultimate success of making a piece.
All the napkin holders I made this past week have been condemned to the recycle bucket. I need to rethink my assembly process to make sure the walls stay straight as they dry. Since they had not been fired, I can reuse the clay to make something new.
When I’m developing a new (to me) shape in the studio it takes several steps before it becomes part of my ongoing inventory. I first make a prototype of a piece from start to finish. This way, I can double check its functionality, observe how the glazes work and tweak the design for multiple production. Making more than one item at a time not only helps with efficiency in the studio, it helps keep the final cost down for the customer.
The good news is that I completed several knitting projects this week. Some of the hats (on the left) had been made and just need a final pom-pom or edge sewing. The sweater (on the right) was soaked and blocked to dry for its final step.
Based on the failures in the clay studio I’ve experienced this week, I have some ideas of how to improve the production for future success. As frustrating as this process can be, it’s also rewarding. I’m constantly thrown ‘outside the box’ to think of a new approach to a problem. Of course, I like to apply this lesson to my daily life as well. Battle those doubts when you don’t succeed and try, try again!
Check out the studio tour and interview published in The Muse Blog last week! It was fun to share my 'happy space' with Whitney and talk about my creative process. Click on this photo to read.