Together As One

For the last several years, I’ve participated in an annual Lend a Hand art fundraiser sponsored by The Muse in Frederick, Md. The challenge is to fill an 8-inch square canvas with artwork inspired by a specific theme. Everyone and anyone (professional artists and customers) are encouraged to participate. The full collection of canvases is auctioned to the highest bidder and the money raised is donated to a local charity. 

The motivation for this year’s artwork is a small scrap of a map and the words: “Together As One.” The charity recipient (Blessings In A Backpack) provides food for local needy children on the weekends. I finished my entry this past week and I’m pleased with the end result. 

The inspirational message, ‘together as one’ resonates profoundly in light of the violence and vitriolic language in recent news. My thought process in creating the artwork was inspired by a fistful of flowers. Each one is unique and could stand alone, but the impact of all of them together as one bunch is truly more powerful. 

If you’d like to bid on this or any of the auction artwork when it is available in September, let me know. You can do this long distance. Click on the photo to send me a message and I’ll be sure to help you participate in this artful fundraiser. Let's come together and help raise money for a great cause!

A Season Of Treats

Halloween kicks off a treat-filled holiday season tonight. These days, I think just as many adults garner pleasure from this dress-up candy-laden holiday as do kids! I think its safe to say we all love treats, so it’s not surprising that the upcoming fall and winter holidays are filled with special traditions, recipes and gift-giving. Each holiday has its own unique emphasis of associated treats.

Do you have a special pie you bake for the holidays? I'd love to know your recipe. Click on the image to send me one that would make this baking dish filled with just the right treat!

Special recipes are prepared in association with many of the upcoming holiday celebrations. These once-a-year treats are often shared with family and friends, building traditions to be repeated each season. Food is a great way to share treats with loved ones. How about sharing one of your special recipes with me? Click on the pie dish to send it to me!

The studio is filled with tons of gift items. I'll be in Columbia, Maryland on Saturday November 5 selling at a Holiday Show and then hold a special Open Studio/FUNdraiser in Frederick Maryland on November 12 to benefit our local Blessings In a Backpack organization. Click on each event to see more details. If you can't attend, remember you can always shop on-line or make an appointment to visit the studio at a later date. 

Gift-giving is another way we share a treat in the coming months. When we can indulge someone with a present that brings them pleasure – it’s a great feeling. It doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate either. Even spending time together is a treat. 

Over the years, I've created a new angel each season to honor my friend Patti Cain who died of breast cancer; I always donate a percentage of my proceeds to Breast Cancer Research, Hospice and Charity Organizations. This year I've developed an 'angel wing' . Each unique design can hang from the bough of your holiday tree or year-round in a place of honor to remember the angels in your life. Click on photo to order yours!

Then there’s the Golden Rule. Treating others the way you’d like to be treated is one of the best rules I know. This type of treat is one of the best to achieve. Kindness and how you treat others reverberates and multiplies tenfold.  

Calendar Drill

I love this phrase! My girlfriend Margaret uses this saying when she and her family coordinate their calendars for upcoming events. And this time of year when the days seem to zip by, evening darkness arrives much too early and activities abound – a good ‘calendar drill’ is in order.

Beyond dates and times, for me, a calendar drill is a great moment to think about how my time is spent throughout the day and what is truly important. As we often do at the beginning of a yoga class, it’s a good time to set intentions. An internal (as well as family-oriented) regular calendar drill is a good habit to develop.

Throughout the upcoming holiday rush, blur of cooking, constant cleaning,  abundant eating, annual parties, obligatory shopping, gift giving and gathering of family and friends -- do a mental calendar drill. Prioritize. No need to overdo. Remember to be in and actually enjoy the moment. 

So here's one important event I have on the studio calendar this coming week. I'd like you to add it to your calendar as well!

ClayByLaura Open Studio Sale*

Saturday, November 14

1 - 4 pm

9176 Bealls Farm Road, Urbana, Md.

*20% of sales will be donated to Frederick, Md. 'Blessings In A Backpack'

(If you can't make it to Maryland this weekend, and would like to participate, I'll donate 20% of all on-line sales I receive by end of day November 14 to this worthy cause -- providing hungry children with food to eat on the weekends -- as well.)

Open

I made this special keepsake for a recent fundraising event. The slogan typifies the significant role this religious institution plays in the community it serves. It is a neighborhood icon (near my childhood home) where everyone in the community is welcome and inclusive events are created to serve multiple needs and generations in one locale. Members and non-members participate in a wide range of activities there from Pancake Breakfasts to regular religious services. 

I'll be updating the purchase pages of the ClayByLaura website in the next few weeks to include stylized photography like the Small Tray-n-Bowl set pictured above. I've just restocked this popular item, so click on the photo to see the color selections currently available! More new items will be listed in the coming weeks!

When I'm successful at staying open-minded -- that's when creativity flows, opportunity reveals itself and life is good. It's not always easy to accomplish openness, but it's a goal I continue to pursue. 

I've just arranged to host a fundraising Open Studio event November 14 for a fantastic local charity -- Blessings In a Backpack. A percentage of all sales proceeds will be donated to this worthy cause that feeds hungry children in our community (and many other communities throughout the United States). Additionally, I have created this special spoon rest that will be sold at this event and at some other select venues in the near future. If you are interested in attending, send me a message; I'll post event details in the coming days.