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. 

Playtime

Recess in grade school for many people was one of the highlights of the day. It was a break from sitting inside, freedom to run around and a time to cultivate play. I think a fun pause from our regular daily routines is still important to embrace – even as adults. 

I've been playing with some new imagery of my clay pieces. This image originated as a photo I took using a special backdrop and lighting. I 'plugged' the photo in to a program on my IPad and tweaked it with this painterly effect. It was fun!

In the clay studio, playtime means experimenting with new forms, combining different glaze colors and letting free-association thoughts flourish throughout the creative process. It’s not always so easy – even making art can get into a rigid routine. Breaking away from well-worn habits is freeing and can lead to lots of new ideas. 

Another program on my IPad allows me to write directly on the screen. These are some of the goals I've set for the New Year!

Often, it’s the input of my family, friends and customers that help achieve a playful session in the studio. This give and take of ideas and suggestions is always helpful. I can use your help now. Please take a moment to fill out this survey. It's the first time I've used this feature on my website. If it does not work in the email you received, please click here to go to the survey form directly on my website and fill it in there!

Thank you! I hope you find time for an activity that you enjoy in your daily routine this coming year.

Reflection

As New Years Eve approaches signaling the end of one year and the beginning of twelve new months ahead, I like to spend time thinking about my life and my life’s work and set some goals for the coming year. Some people call these desires resolutions. I like to think of these promises to myself as building blocks – ways to improve what I’ve been developing over a lifetime. My classmate friends and I are turning 60 throughout 2016. It’s one of those ‘halt in your tracks’ age numbers. I think this significant milestone adds another layer of reflection to this annual ritual. I look back to see what I’ve accomplished in six decades and forge ahead to prove I’ve still got a long way to go!

As always, my time in the studio mirrors what is happening in my daily life. My creative plans for 2016 are specific and fluid. I have a few new shapes I’d like to attempt. I’d like to play with the finished surface of my creations. I’d like to pursue more fundraising items I’ve created for worthy organizations.  The unique gift/marketing items I've made for businesses are a big hit -- I'd like to create more of these too. I’ll continue to tweak my website to reflect the art from my studio and develop the way I sell on-line, in galleries and pop-up shopping opportunities. Overall, I’d like to attract the positive and decrease the negative in my life and my studio.

I've been catching up on some of my knitting projects these last few winter weeks. It's another passion I enjoy. I find it meditative and engaging at the same time. The unique design of my yarn bowls are based on my experience as a knitter. Most of the clay yarn bowls I've seen have a slit cut into them for guiding the yarn -- a design flaw in my opinion. My bowl shape cups the yarn, has two heart-shaped 'feeders' for multiple yarn colors and can be used for snacks or knitting accessories when not in use for stitching. In 2016, I'll work on a slightly larger version to fully accommodate two large hanks of yarn. 

I was fortunate to help fundraise for several worthy causes in 2015. These clay items from my studio not only attracted donations, but continue to be useful reminders of their cause!

I was fortunate to create a variety of totem stacks for people throughout the country in 2015. Each was a labor of love and a lot of fun to make! Do you have an idea for a custom totem? 

I'll continue to make tray and bowl sets in 2016. It's a popular and useful form. The fish-shaped tray was a new item in 2015. I'd like to play around with this design a bit more in 2016 to make it even better!

Garden art continues to be a source of creative exploration for me in the studio. I'm sure there are some new shapes to discover in 2016!

Bowls have always been one of my go-to shapes in the studio. This coming year I'd like to play with these shapes to create some dishes that can be used right side up and upside down. Stay tuned to see what I come up with!

Happy New Year! I hope you've had some time to reflect on 2015 and set your own goals and building blocks for the coming year.