Rise To The Occasion

By this time next week, my daughter will be married. This time last year, my mother-in-law had just died. This date two years ago, my son and daughter-in-law were married. My emotions are running high. Life events, both happy and sad push us to rise to the occasion. How we react helps us move forward to tackle mundane daily living and big life-changing matters.

My daughter will carry my grandmother’s gold piece down the aisle; my husband and I lit a yahrzeit candle to honor the anniversary of Helene Silberman’s death; two years ago we were all smiles as we enjoyed our son and daughter-in-law’s wedding and didn’t let the rainy weather wash out the fun and festivities!

Years of experience have taught me to roll with the unexpected (my least favorite) and savor each moment. Instead of worrying about what might happen and how I might fail, I’ve worked to be in the moment (thank you yoga), and address any fears of failure head on. My goal is always to do my best. 

I have been preparing new pieces for my upcoming shows and sales. This stack of pie dishes that just came out of the glaze kiln is one item I can check off my list! Besides pie, what else would you use this dish for? Click on photo to tell me!

There is always room for improvement. Life keeps giving me opportunities to rise. Whether it’s creating a new shape in the studio for a customer, learning to bustle a beautiful wedding dress train, appreciating the bravery of others who rise to the occasion, new opportunities continue to appear. What are the ways you rise to your occasions? Click on the envelope below to message me!

My Top Ten Lessons From Motherhood

For me, Mother's Day is one date a year to remember that the moms in our lives deserve ongoing appreciation all the other 364 days of the year. Here are a few of my observations about being a mom:

#10: Flowers Are Always Welcome

One day a year is simply not enough! Flowers blooming in the garden, purchased from a vendor or sent through the mail are always appreciated. 

#9: Sleep Is Over-Rated

Learning to live on less sleep becomes second-nature. Nap if you can. Go to bed early if it helps. Adult children will call you to talk when it’s convenient for them — late at night or early in the morning. Answer the phone!

#8: Giving Birth Isn’t The Only Way To Become A Mother

Mothers are not always blood-relatives. Throughout our lives, we can be mothered by a variety of people who open their hearts to us. In turn, we often nurture relationships in maternal ways. 

#7: Trust It Will Work Out

Motherhood can be fraught with challenges. It is hard to say no or disagree with our children’s decisions. Those rocky times usually even out and make us all stronger.

#6: Planning Helps, But Embrace Uncertainty

While it’s good to have a vision and plan, life with children often requires change. Learning to adjust and enjoy living in each moment helps keep a family in balance. 

#5: Learn To Let Go

This is a recurring lesson. Every stage of motherhood cuts away certain familiar routines, but also opens up a wide array of new opportunity. 

#4: Selflessness

Motherhood immediately demands we consider the needs of others beyond ourselves. It’s rewarding and perilous at the same time. It’s necessary to balance care-taking and self-care on an ongoing basis.

#3: Hug More, Yell Less

It’s important to vent our frustrations, but don’t hold on to anger. Let it surface, let it go, and hug it out!

#2: Villages Work

Motherhood does not have to be a lonely endeavor. Neighbors, family and friends all offer important back-up systems that make this important job easier. Create a village.

#10: Motherhood Never Ends

The period our kids reside under our own roofs is just a sliver of time we share in their lives. Motherhood is an evolution that adjusts to every stage (often without our consent)! Once a mother, always a mother. The parameters will continue to change throughout our lives if we let them!

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!

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!

Creativity

Often when I meet people and I reveal the fact that I am a clay artist, I hear a response something like this: “You must be so creative, I am not creative at all.” Of course I take that as a compliment and usually reply, “we all have things we are good at and clay is one of the things I can do.”  I’ll also add, “even if you can’t make art yourself, it’s good to hear that you appreciate creativity.”

Here's how the pots of flowers looked in my imagination. I was able to transfer that idea and image into an artistic result. 

I have a strong creative muscle. I’m aware of it and try to exercise this attribute on a regular basis. It is relatively easy to access my creative mind. On the flip side, I think I’m naturally weak in many math-related functions. I know my “I just can’t do this” attitude plays a role in blocking some of my success with this analytical part of my brain. 

For me, creativity flows for numerous reasons. I recognize I’m good at turning an artistic idea into a concrete item. I set aside time and built a dedicated space to practice my clay-making skills. I’m not afraid to take risks and accept failures as a learning curve. And hardest of all, I try not to judge my results or compare what I’ve created with that of others. 

Look what I found at a local flower shop. I did a double-take! I love this idea and want to make a version of my own. That's how my creative mind works. See something, makes something!

Creativity is a skill that requires nurturing. Even if it’s not your strong suit, I think everyone has a creative streak. Maybe a simple attitude adjustment will help you access your creativity. Make time and space for a creative activity. It might not be art,  it might be gardening, cooking or writing. Maybe it’s even participating in or appreciating the creativity of others. Go to a museum. Attend a concert. And I promise I'll work on my negative attitude about math skills.