Legacy

I spent a few days in Amsterdam after our daughter’s wedding before returning to the US. My husband Barry and I had been there together 42 years ago when we were first dating. Our return visit retraced some of the places we had visited then including the Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum and a meal of rijsttafel. It was the same and also very different. Exhibits and museums had been updated and improved. The bicycle traffic was impressive. People were still friendly and helpful. 

Visits to a museum prove that pottery shapes often have an historic reference. See the Delft flower blocks from the 1600s pictured on the left and then my current interpretation of the shape on the right.

For me, the times I’ve spent in Europe are a visceral reminder of history that far exceeds the youth of the United States. Exposure to the cities, the culture, the art, the food and countries’ monuments to the past are a great lesson in appreciating our own circumstances and personal responsibilities to nurture and maintain our own piece of the world. What will our legacy be? What will we leave behind that people will visit and study in future generations?

Have you ever seen a yarn bomb? It was fun to run into this fiber covered sculpture in Amsterdam!

I like to think of my own legacy in a couple of ways. I am lucky to have two children who will carry the next generation into the future. Perhaps a piece of pottery I make or a sweater I’ve knit will be passed down the line and continue to be useful for years to come. Hopefully my curiosity about the past, optimistic hope for the future and ability to live my present life in some sort of meaningful way will set my personal legacy for the future. 

Want to make a little shrine to honor something special in your life? I’ll be teaching a Craft Party Class sponsored by The Muse on November 14 in Frederick, Md. I provide all the materials (polymer clay, stamps, and paints), you bring your creativity (and maybe a friend!) to make this special piece that just might become one of your own legacies! Click on Photo for registration details.

Get Creative!

I finished unpacking and reassembling my studio this past week. After I’ve had a break from the studio, I’m raring to get back to the slabs of clay and start creating. I’ve got some custom orders to complete to get me started. Time away often inspires new ideas and shape variations to conquer. Some new texture rollers arrived in the mail. Let the fun begin!

The public feedback I received from the art show in Huntsville was positive and up-lifting. Attendees entering my booth mouthed the words I often use to describe my pottery: “happy”, “colorful”, “whimsical”, and “useful” were some of the words I heard. An artist couldn’t ask for any better commentary than that! My pottery creations successfully reflect and communicate the fun I experience making each one. 

Creativity is contagious. One of the best parts of participating in a show is experiencing the vast amount of creativity other artists bring to their own art. It is inspiring.  I love creating with clay and am lucky to have this wonderful outlet for self-expression. I’ve heard people say, I can’t make art, I’m not creative. That’s false. Creativity can be conveyed in all sorts of ways besides making art. Think about the ways you express yourself -- your own personal creativity factors into that.

Garden bells with lots of fun texture to decorate are in process. It will be up to you to finish them! Click here to sign up for the class and express some creativity!

Reading Some Meaning Into Words

These three words summarize how I feel this time of year when my emotions run the gamut. It’s been awhile since I’ve posted a pottery giveaway. Read to the end of the blog to see which ClayByLaura Club member will receive a package of these small bowls this week!

It’s been a busy week back in the studio. Pottery from the Huntsville show is unpacked, new ClayByLaura inventory has been delivered to The Muse in Frederick and my hands have been back in clay to begin creating the variety of special orders I received on my trip. I had to reorder another half a ton (yes, 1000 lbs) of clay from my supplier because I’ve used up that amount since June. The pressure to create pottery and also embrace the bounty of positive holiday spirit can be overwhelming at times leading to some bah-humbug moments.

Falalalala sums up the cheerful attitude I also embrace this time of year. Preparations for upcoming holiday shows continue including a wrap bracelet-making craft party on November 5 in Frederick hosted byThe Muse; a private demonstration for a tour group visiting Frederick November 9; a month-long Holiday open studio hosted by Stacy Krantz of InBloom jewelry; and a fun craft show at Calvary Methodist Church December 9 in my childhood Arlington, Virginia neighborhood. I may squeeze in another show and my own open studio too. (Of course, if there is something you'd like me to make for you, let me know. I ship my pieces throughout the US!) I do like this flurry of activity.

What I believe about the upcoming holidays is they encourage togetherness, shared traditions, great food, and time spent with family. What could be better than that?  For me, the holiday season has begun. I’ve been sampling the Kit Kat bars in anticipation of our neighborhood trick or treaters. I’m working on the details of the Thanksgiving menu I’ll host for our family.  Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Years are not far behind. Maybe you experience all these conflicting emotions too. I think it's probably normal.

Congratulations Lee! I'll be sending you a package to help you kick off your own holiday spirit too! Are you a member of the ClayByLaura club? If you'd like a chance to win some pottery and receive other club benefits, click on the photo to join in!

Making Dates With Deadlines

This past week was all about deadlines. For months leading up to the first full week of May, many supplemental goals needed to be set and accomplished. And since I have a tendency to revert to Monkey Mind (see past blog post!), this concept is not always natural to me. I think many people who think in creative ways struggle with deadlines, so I’m not alone!

Early in the week I delivered and set up a series of outdoor flowers to fill the pots underneath this pool-side table. 

I’ve learned that setting an end date is powerful and beneficial. I think it actually makes me more creative and enables me to accomplish much, much more. I’ve mentioned before I like to break tasks into small, manageable bites. All of these lead up to an overall end target. It works for me. 

The garden bell class was filled to capacity resulting in 12 happy crafters going home with their beautifully decorated and assembled garden art. Throughout the workshop, I set completion goals for the students so everyone knew what had to be completed so we could move on to the next creative task. It worked well. I'm already planning a wrap bracelet-making class for June. Stay tuned!

Over the weekend, I split my time between two wonderful local shows. I had prepped the featured clay pieces for the personality of each venue, visualized and practiced the set up for the display and demo, made a list, packed, delivered and set up. 

This annual fiber spectacular at The Knot House (held the same weekend as the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival) features Indie Yarn Dyers from far and wide.  People line up to get in and grab first dibs on limited inventory colorways of incredible wool. As a knitter, it's paradise. As a potter, it's an opportunity to share my knitting-related clay pieces with this creative crowd. I spent Friday and Sunday at The Knot House and spoke to numerous attendees as they stood in line to pay for their stash. I learned here too. Some of these creative stitchers set goals and have a plan for their projects and many others just wing it!

Saturday was an all-day/night affair at my favorite Frederick shop -- The Muse. The town hosts monthly First Saturday events. The Mayfest theme this month invited visitors to collect flowers at participating shops to build a bouquet as they meander. 'Blobs' (named because of their oval shape and ability to morph into several uses) were the featured clay item for the event! I demonstrated how these are made and had fun talking with a steady stream of customers. 

Deadlines are necessary for me to complete one idea and be able to move on to the next. As a knitter, I'm one of those people who likes to work on one pattern at a time until it's finished. I don't like to buy yarn without a plan of what I'm going to make. It's too stressful for me and I think it actually slows me down. It's the same when I create with clay. Goals, deadlines, to-do lists and a plan all make me more creative and lead me to finish what I start. 

Busy Work

It’s showtime! This week’s schedule is filled to the brim. It feels kind of like finals time in college. Weeks of preparation on a variety of projects in the studio are all due this week. The frenzy to make sure each assignment is complete and ready for ‘prime time’ is invigorating. It’s time to share the excitement of what’s been percolating in the studio. I’m prepared and look forward to each event. Follow my Instagram (@claybylaura) account to see the latest photos of each of these projects. 

Installation of numerous potted flower bunches is first on the docket. These colorful blooms will be placed in containers for display underneath a wrought iron and glass table in the back yard of this customer. They will complement the variety of totems and yard art I've created over the years for this beautiful outdoor space. 

Mid-week I'll be leading a craft party sponsored by The Muse in Frederick, Md. The class is almost at capacity, so If you'd like to join us, contact The Muse right away! Each participant will colorfully decorate a garden bell and feather. We'll finish the assembly with assorted beads and buttons strung on fishing wire. 

Friday is where the frenzy picks up! The Knot House (my favorite local yarn shop) is hosting an Indie (Yarn Dyers) Pop-Up Shop over the weekend.  Tons of fiber fans are in town for the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival and this popular complimentary bash has become a must-attend for yarn enthusiasts. I sell a variety of yarn-related clay items during the event (think yarn bowls or special mugs) and created this unique stick-pin to accent a hand made shawl or sweater just for this year's crowd. (I even enjoyed making the packaging for the pins and convinced my husband to let me cut apart one of his rarely-used sweaters for the job!) I'll be part of the fun on Friday night and Sunday!

Saturday, I'll plant myself at The Muse all day. First Saturday and Mayfest celebration draw lots of visitors to town. These fun shapes (nick-named Blobs courtesy of Whitney at The Muse) will be available for a discounted price -- AND you'll have the opportunity to get an air plant or beautiful flower to fill it right there in the shop! I'll demo how I make these throughout the day. Stop by and say hello. 

So what's keeping you busy these days? I hope it's something fun!

Learn As You Go

Teaching is one of the ways I learn. I was reminded of that again this past week in a craft party class I taught for The Muse. It was lots of fun resulting in an array of colorful, musical wind chimes that will grace the gardens of each student!

Every class or workshop introduces me to a new group of people. It’s been the start of many friendships and lasting bonds. I enjoy the solitary practice of creation in my studio, but breaking out, sharing class-time with students and getting that interaction is special. 

Teaching gives me new perspective on ‘the way’ I approach and make art. I have built my creative skills through practice and learning from classes and workshops. But when the tables turn and you teach a skill that might be easy for you to do, it’s important to step back and look at it differently. How do you approach this skill if you’ve never done it before?  How do you explain it in words? How do you demonstrate the skill? How do you break it down into understandable, achievable tasks? 

I always come away from teaching a class with ideas that have been sparked by a student. Their technique or approach is often one I’ve never thought of before. Sometimes we repeat what we know, just because it’s what we know. Getting a new perspective from someone approaching it with a fresh perspective is fantastic. 

I like to plan. I make lists, I outline tasks, I set goals. Somehow the classroom setting always veers off the planned course and inevitably leads to new discovery. Perhaps that technique I thought would be so simple to explain, show and teach does not register with the student. It opens up new ways to teach and new ideas of how to create. I'm so grateful to share some of my skills with others -- because in the end I am the one who learns just as much! 

At Your Service

Serving pieces and dishes are a big staple of my clay inventory. This time of year especially, when holiday gatherings are hosted, we all tend to pull out the ‘good dishes’ to complement the abundant cooking effort that has taken place in the kitchen. I’ve been working on some new designs in the studio for serving those special recipes, entertaining guests and gift-giving.

The glazed and unglazed surface of this tray serves a dual purpose and gives users the opportunity to spell out their message or label items they are serving on one side of the tray. Now that I'm happy with the design, I'll create more of these to place in my inventory for sale. 

Yesterday I unloaded a kiln filled with the results of weeks of development and design decisions. This is the point in the creative process where I can truly judge success or a need for further construction tweaks. I’ve experienced both situations throughout my clay journey. Even when I’m happy with the results, I often see ways to improve a piece the next time it is made. 

I'm creating a sample for an upcoming craft party sponsored by The Muse on November 8. Here's a sneak peek at what you can make. It's a tray for serving snacks for nibbling; a place to hold holiday mail; or a location to display favorite treasures. This craft party will take place at the ClayByLaura studio. Students will decorate handmade textured clay tiles with acrylic paint, adhere them to a 9" by 12" wooden tray with handles and finish the mosaic with grout.

Often, I embellish a piece I've made with other materials to make it complete. These new key holders will be finished with cup hooks to gather household keys in one memorable location!

It's a great feeling when a new design meets or even exceeds expectations! I'm happy with the results of the newest ClayByLaura ideas and look forward to getting them into your hands for the upcoming holiday season.

Color Outside The Lines

Creative time has become a natural part of my daily routine.  I probably take this for granted. When I taught a class this past week to a group of students, it reminded me of the value of this instinctual exercise and how creative time is important for everyone to practice.

Students used acrylic paints to decorate the clay and then sealed each one with a glossy finish.

Even though each student chose similar shapes from the same pile of pieces, each potsticker evolved into a unique personal expression of their own creative making!

For me, hours disappear when I am in the studio. I get caught up in the clay process so ideas flow and the natural stresses and strains of daily life melt away. The relaxed atmosphere helps me problem solve a unique clay problem and often translates to challenges I encounter outside the studio.

This week I pulled out the sewing machine and made pillows for a birthday gift. It's good to change gears every once in awhile and create something with different 'materials!'

I’ve read about the resurgence and popularity of ‘adult coloring books’ lately. There are all kinds of theories about why and what this means. I think it shows the universal importance of art and creativity for everyone. Creative time develops personal expression; it gives the brain time to reboot; it provides meditative qualities helping a person live in the present moment; it allows time to think, time to forget and time to remember.

Creativity is personal and can be expressed in limitless ways. Writing, knitting, playing music, singing, woodworking, puzzle assembly and yes -- filling in a coloring page, are all ways to access imagination. There is no right or wrong way here and you don't even have to stay 'within the lines' to let creativity flow. Make time to create.

I did get my hands muddy this week. I'm developing a dog-themed custom totem.