You Can Help!

My mother used to write a weekly column for The Washington Post in the mid-1960’s titled ‘You Can Help.’ Each column featured a story about a different charity in need of volunteers and donations. Listening to all the news about the natural disaster affecting Texas while I have been working in the studio has me thinking about what I can do to help.

First, I plan to donate some money to the Red Cross. Maybe you’ll consider making a direct donation to them or another charity to help the thousands of people affected by the relentless storm. Second, I’ll donate an extra $20 for each 'heartfelt' piece you purchase from me this week as an additional donation to the Red Cross. This popular shape was created to hold small notes of love, forgiveness, and hope. Buy one for yourself or share one with a friend. Together, we can contribute some love where it's needed right now. Click on this photo to shop!

The kiln has been running non-stop in the studio in preparation for upcoming fall shows, custom orders, and replenishing my inventory. I've been experimenting with some new clay shapes and color combinations for the fall. Here's another place I could use your help and feedback. Click on each photo to tell me if you like or don't like what you see.

New Rectangle Baker with Teal/Autumn Leaf glaze combination. Click on photo to comment.

Large pie dish with Turquoise/Bluebell combination. Click on photo to comment.

New Oval Baker with Yellow/Aquamarine combination. Click on photo to comment.

Yellow/Autumn Leaf combination. Click on photo to comment. 

Thank you for your help!

Got Heart?

Valentine's Day is less than a week away. I like this particular holiday because it gives me an opportunity to remind people in my life how much I care about them. I may not remember every anniversary or birthday, so Valentine's Day is my chance to reach out to friends and family with a message of love. Plus it often includes chocolate. What could be better??? Hearts have been an ongoing theme in my clay creations. So here's my Valentine gift to you: receive FREE SHIPPING when you purchase a ClayByLaura item with a heart this week for your Special Someone. Flowers eventually wilt and chocolate gets eaten, so consider a gift that lasts far beyond February 14 as a continual reminder of your love. 

I've been working on some new promotional print materials in the studio this past week. I combined my signature logo and the family typewriter where I first learned the keyboard to create the type that will be used on new printed recipe cards and product hang tags.

A week in the studio often involves more than making items out of clay. My computer, phone and camera have also become integral tools for my creative routine. I enjoy the clay time the most, and I’m learning as I go to hone the other important skills utilizing electronics and social media as best I can. It’s a required balance of making and promoting a clay/creative business these days. I learned some new tricks with Photoshop thanks to the patient guidance of fellow clay artist Lyndsay Meiklem and shot numerous product photos in my studio light box to get just the right photo for my new print designs. 

I fired a glaze kiln this week containing some tray and bowl sets and several new items like tumblers.

I've been experimenting with the use of a single color on my pieces. I apply an underglaze to the clay before it is fired and use a wet sponge to wipe some away. After it is fired once, I apply a clear glaze with either a shiny or matte finish. I like how the color pools in the stamped areas as well as showing the marks of the canvas I use to flatten the clay in the slab roller. I feel this portrays the making process in every finished piece.

Of course I've been working on my own Valentine's Day gifts too! I'm using colorful paper clips to create the kickstand for the heart photo frames I made. They'll be in the mail later this week.

There's a piece of my heart in every ClayByLaura creation I make. Over the years, I think my clay creations have revealed this passion more and more as I've found and developed my artistic voice. My goal is to share this enthusiasm with you!