Shedding New Light

Upheaval was the operative word in our household this past week. We had new carpeting installed. This meant all our treasured ‘tchotchkes’ had to be packed up for safekeeping before installation. The fun part was putting everything back, rearranging and editing.  Each of these valued pieces holds a story about its purchase. By changing up the placement, I’m able to see and appreciate them all over again.

This nesting activity led to additional cleanout and rearrangement throughout the house. Our collected artwork seems to fade into the background as time passes. By simply changing its location, I am able to notice and value it once again. I took advantage of this energy and repositioned artwork throughout our home.  Refreshing these displays has shed new light on these valued objects and replenished the stories attached to each item.

In the studio, I revisited some familiar shapes from the past. I began making ladybug pot stickers several years ago.  I’ve decided to adopt this good luck symbol as my own spirit animal since it seems to crop up repeatedly in my life. (The first piece of jewelry my father gave to my mother is a leaf pin with a small ladybug!) Each time I create a new batch of ladybug potstickers, I'm excited to revisit how each shape fits together and I work to improve the final result. 

Take it from me, rearrange one or two of your own favorite things. I bet you start seeing them again in a whole new light!

Hot Hot Hot - The Dog Days Of Summer Are Here !

Summertime is in full swing here in the Mid-Atlantic. The temperatures are hot and the air is hazy with humidity. It’s just how I like it! And while the tendency in this weather is to slow down a bit and laze around, the exact opposite seems to be happening in the studio. 

The kiln is fixed, up, and running. I ordered and replaced the three thermocouple temperature gauges myself which solved the problem I was having last week. You know that feeling when you accomplish a task you weren’t quite sure you could do? Repairing my kiln myself was satisfying and thrilling.

There are several new unique potstickers now gracing plants and yards in Maryland and Pennsylvania! Students chose a variety of clay shapes, painted them with blends of acrylic colors and created their own colorful mini-totem to take home. It was lots of fun. I’ll be teaching more classes through the Muse in the fall, so if you live nearby and would like a chance to play and create – keep your eye out for dates and times!

Some of the new shapes I’ve been working on are ready for their debut. What do you think? Your feedback is important. This basket shape will be useful for holding fruit or veggies on the kitchen counter. It could also be used to hold your latest in-process knitting project or mail by the front door. The baskets will be available for sale on my website soon. 

Even though it's hot outside, I'm making plans for the fall in the studio. I've been selected to participate in an exclusive Indie shopping opportunity kicking off the popular Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival in New York. If you're one of my 'knitting/fiber peeps' this event has your name written all over it. Tons and tons of specialty dyed yarns, unique tools and accessories  in one jam-packed weekend -- a knitter's nirvana!

Thank you for sharing your favorite recipes with me last week. It’s great to have some new ideas to create in the kitchen! If you haven't had a chance, click this link to send me a family favorite! Here’s a great recipe to snack on or serve to company, courtesy of my future daughter-in-law,  during these hot summer months. Enjoy!

Getting In Shape

Shape is an important aspect of pottery. Achieving a pleasant-looking form takes practice, a critical eye and willingness to experiment. I’ve been playing with the configuration of simple drinking vessels over the last couple of months.

This is a standard mug shape. It mimics the shape I used to throw on the potters wheel. After it is assembled, I use my fingers to bulge out the middle belly of the mug.

I begin by thinking of the useful purpose of each cup or mug. Will it mostly hold a hot beverage? Could it be used for a cold drink also? Where and when will someone choose to use this item?  Will it be used for the first cup of coffee in the morning?  Will it hold a mid-day beverage sipped while working? Maybe it will be used at the end of the day to wind down and relax. 

This is a new mug form for me. I chose to have a wider base and narrow top. This helps the functionality of the mug by keeping a hot beverage hot. 

Because I use hand-building methods to create my clay forms, subtle changes in the pattern alter the end result of the shape. Is the cup widest at the top or bottom?  Should it have a handle? 

I've been wanting to make a travel mug. So I started by ordering the lids to guide me in the overall design. Here's my first attempt. I'm playing with a one finger handle. I will fire and glaze this test piece to see how it works before I go into production.

Sometimes I create a shape just because it is pleasant to my own eye. Other times, I work to create a piece that must fit into specific calculations. Will it fit in the car cup holder would be one of those determining factors. 

These are some of the patterns I've created to make my drinking vessels. The top one is used for the standard mug I make. The middle pattern was used to create the wide-bottomed mug. the last pattern is the template for the travel mug. Subtle differences in the height, width and side angles all contribute to the overall shape of each piece. 

Speaking of shapes, I've created some new ones that will be used in the upcoming Potsticker Craft Party, July 20 sponsored by The Muse in Frederick, Md. If you'd like to have a fun evening creating a special garden or plant decoration -- this is the class for you. Click here to sign up! Class space is limited. 

ClayByLaura Club members received a special discount offer for the month of July. It's just one of the benefits of joining. Are you a member yet? No?!? What are you waiting for? It's easy to sign up. Click on the image above to join. Check and respond to the email you receive. That's it. You're in!