Leftovers.

The aftermath of Thanksgiving’s abundance often leads to leftovers. Day-after meals often consist of various food-item concoctions. Turkey sandwiches are piled high with different side-dish items like stuffing and cranberry relish; turkey soup is derived from the bird’s picked-over carcass; or turkey pot pie is cobbled together with remaining ingredients. Depending on how many leftovers exist, a family might enjoy all of these aforementioned extra meals for days after the main event. At some point though, as the the leftovers dwindle, they lose their appeal. 

In the studio, I work with leftovers as well. I like to incorporate discarded and long-collected treasures into some of my creations to make them useful once again. This week I played with a new idea I’m developing for a craft party I’ll teach at The Muse on January 6. 

I created several textured medallion pieces from polymer clay I rolled out and cut into different shapes. I baked the pieces in an oven for about 20 minutes. When they cooled, I decorated each with layers of acrylic paints. 

I purchased several types of cord to experiment with and ended up using leather cord I already have to create the finished necklace. A variety of beads, recycled fashion jewelry and charms were strung and simply tied into place with a knot. I like how this adds some visual interest to the final necklace and makes use of items that might otherwise be discarded. 

At the same time, I used this polymer clay to create more shawl pins for sale at the Muse. The original design was made from clay I regularly use in the studio. Since these decorative fasteners are selling well and the polymer allows a quicker creative turnaround, I decided to experiment and make some with this alternate medium. These fun brooches also incorporate leftovers constructed from knitting needles, tubing from the hardware store, and collected beads. 

How do you use leftovers in your life? Click on the photo above to tell me! I’d love to know.

Teachable Moments

I speak clay. What I mean is, I’m familiar with the lingo associated with creating ceramic art. Fire, cone, underglaze, bisque, grog, raku and slip are all words that have special meaning to a person in the pottery world. The trick is learning to explain familiar terminology and techniques to someone unacquainted with the language. Sharing this knowledge not only helps educate a student wanting to learn about the craft, but also informs customers and other art appreciators.

For me, as I’ve probably mentioned repeatedly, teaching regularly opens my own eyes to new ideas and constructive approaches. It happened this week when I lead a group of students through the steps of making a wrap bracelet. I prepared the step-by-step creation and assembly instructions in my head so I could clearly explain them to the craft party participants. I demonstrated some of the construction techniques and answered questions as they arose. And my students did not disappoint! THEY, in turn, taught me a variety of imaginative ways to achieve the same end result. I learned too!

Remember these two shapes? I asked for your input and you were helpful and telling me your preferences in exchange for a chance to receive one of them as a gift! Thank you for sharing your insights! I am taking them all 'under advisement' to add this item to my inventory. Christine Link @SkeinnyDippngYarn is the lucky recipient of the oval shape on the right!

Teaching and Learning are two sides of the same coin. They go hand in hand. I continually discover additional approaches to my creative process by sharing what I know with others. And it’s not limited to clay. I try to adopt this approach with any conversation. What can I teach and what can I learn from this encounter? A fresh perspective is always welcome. Can you identify any recent teachable moments from your life? 

A visit to Green Spring Gardens in Fairfax, Va. this past week was filled with new garden ideas. I went with my friend Celia who speaks the language of Gardening. It was fun to try to absorb some of her wisdom and enjoy the beauty of nature. Of course, I came home with several new plants for my own landscape!

Common Denominator

Did you know there is a difference between straw and hay?  I didn’t know they weren’t the same. Hay is feed for animals to eat. Straw is what they sleep on. Each comes from a different part of the grain plant. I learned this valuable tidbit in a conversation while working at a local Fiber Festival this past weekend. I watched one of the demonstrations of sheep shearing and struck up a conversation with the farmer/sheep owner. Even though we live in two different environments, wool was our common denominator as we talked.

We all have things in common. It could be a shared activity, skill, passion, age, living circumstance, children, job or even disagreement. The list is endless. And probably common ground can be discovered even in a conversation with a complete stranger. Think ‘six degrees of separation,’ where the deeper you delve into what you share with a person, the closer you seem to get to a connection. 

Clay and fiber are two strong common denominators in my life. Sometimes they collide, like this past weekend at the Fiber Festival.  Several of my yarn-related clay items were part of The Knot House yarn shop's festival booth. It was an opportunity to meet new people who share my love of yarn (and clay) and reconnect with friends in attendance who also share those passions. 

Do you like jewelry? Want to take that passion one step further? Sign up for my wrap bracelet craft party sponsored by The Muse in Frederick, MD! I'd love to see you on Wedesdnay, June 21. I'll bring the supplies (and a batch of my chocolate chip cookies!) and help you make one of these special creations of your own. Click on photo for more details.

It feels good to find common ground. And I was reminded this weekend that what I share in common with people is far stronger than any difference we might have. Clay and yarn are just two subjects that open commonalities for me. What are some of your common denominators?

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!