Appreciation.

It’s Veteran’s Day so the word appreciate is front and foremost in my mind. And, since Thanksgiving is also just around the corner, it seems as if this entire month could be dedicated to thinking about thankfulness. This positive outlook is vital to keep us focused on the good surrounding us. 

it’s great to use the pottery I create on a daily basis. It’s a constant reminder of how much I love what I do.

I think it’s safe to say everyone likes to be appreciated. I know I do. Positive feedback goes a long way to reward good behavior and affirm our self-worth. It helps in the jobs we do, the families we love and the communities we live in. 

One of the many reasons I love The Muse, is because of events like this. If you live nearby, take advantage of this fun shopping opportunity!

At the end of each day, I try to take a moment to reflect on the treasures I’ve encountered and help foster. It’s a way to reboot against negativity, rest well and prepare for a new day to appreciate. How about you? What do you appreciate these days? Click on the photo below to let me know!

I Hate When That Happens...

Comedian Billy Crystal used to perform a funny sketch on Saturday Night Live where he and Christopher Guest would compete with each other about painful things they would do to themselves, always ending with the laugh line “I hate when that happens…” The images they conjured were awful, but we laughed. Fast forward to our current news headlines and that catch phrase from the past takes on a whole new meaning to me. I hate when this happens. 

Daily knitting results in finished projects and the anticipation of creating more.

I have lots of time to think in the studio while I have my hands in the clay-making process. I often say that art is my personal therapy. Hate is such a vile and powerful emotion that I try hard not to dignify it with any wasted energy. Instead, I focus on its opposite — Love— and try to embody that in every way. But hate exists and is fostered and emboldened when we tune it out or ignore it. I hate when this happens. 

My Annual Open Studio Sale on December 9 this year will benefit the Moms Demand Action local chapter. I have created a special little logo dish to sell at this event. Keep your eye out for details.

What is the solution? How do we tamp down the hate and return to compassion? We begin by watching our own language and actions. Are we contributing to the problem or combating it? For me, I think about the people and icons in my lifetime who have embodied love and kindness and try to emulate their example. Anger begets hate; love disarms it. Be kind to one another. I love when that happens. 

The Company You Keep

I was reminded this week that I am surrounded by incredibly talented people in my life. Each of them holds a unique gift that not only makes them super special but intersect with my own creative pursuits. All of these people have showed up in my circle of friendship at an opportune time. Let me tell you about them:

Mike Taylor and I met back at Gunston Junior High School. We lost touch after high school and reconnected at a few reunion celebrations. Mike is a director and producer of a whole range of audio-visual pieces from commercials to films. His company is called Potomac Pictures. He just finished production of a short promotional video of ClayByLaura for me. It not only captures the process I use for creating but visually highlights my studio and finished pieces. Want one of these for your business promotion? Click on this photo or link to contact Mike and sort out the details!

Margaret Hluch and I met through our mutual connection to The Muse. Her studio/work-space is where I've taught (and taken) a few Crafting Parties in Frederick, Md. Margaret just opened a show of her colorful and intricate weavings at The Muse this past weekend. “Back to Old Tricks” describes her return to this fiber art form she has mastered so well.  Not only does Margaret painstakingly paint the threads to begin the process, the weaving and composition take hours and hours of dedicated talent. Plan a trip to Frederick, Md. for the opportunity to see these colorful weavings in person. It is worth the trip! Luckily, I nabbed one of her pieces to grace the walls of my studio. Click on this photo to read a recent interview with Margaret.

Whitney Dahlberg is the owner and inspiration behind The Muse. I frequently mention her or the shop in every other blog post I write! It’s easy to cheerlead for someone when you love and admire them.  Whitney's business has thrived for 15 years in Frederick, Md. That accomplishment alone speaks volumes about her. But what I find so special about this creative entrepreneur are her own artistic talents creating fiber art, her dedication to the world of craft and crafters, and her continuous support of me and my own clay pursuits. Whitney has begun writing a column for the local paper about using craft to help you find some calm in your own life. Check out her latest column by clicking on the photo above.

I'm thankful for all the people that keep me company in my life. Each of you has a hand in making me a better person, encouraging my creativity and supporting my clay business. Thank you! Here's another chance to view my new video. Click, view, and let me know what you think!

Shared Scenarios

This week has been filled with connections. I have been busy in the studio preparing for a large private show to help raise money for a charity this coming weekend in Huntsville, Alabama. The garden stepping stone that originated the idea for this event is complete and ready for placement! My newest connection to that area is the family of my daughter’s fiancé.  I have other friends with similar southern roots and it’s been nice to realize that shared connection. 

The Potter’s Guild of Frederick is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a show in the Hodson & Whitaker Gallery of Hood College. As a former member of this group, I’ll be sharing a piece I created in that show. I joined the group when I first moved to Frederick to make connections with the clay community locally. 

On Sunday, I met up with two other craft artists (Erin Pelicano and Kelly Roberts) for a photo shoot at a local Arts Center in Frederick, Md. We have all been interviewed about our business for an article to be published in Sass Magazine in early December. I am familiar with the work of each of these talented artists through our common connection -- The Muse -- but had not had the opportunity to spend time with them. Our shared experiences as artists, mothers, wives, and friends overlapped in numerous ways. It was good to solidify those common connections.

Take some time to think about the shared connections you have going on in your life. When you connect all those dots, it's a good feeling! What we have in common far outweighs what makes us different from each other. 

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?

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. 

Why Buy?

Why buy? This question probably has a very simple answer and one that delves deeper. I ask it because it’s on my mind. I saw a post in a pottery group recently that asked why a potter would purchase anything from another potter. I buy pottery from other artists all the time. So I started thinking about why I buy stuff. In turn, it makes me think about why someone would pay for items I create. 

I made this series of masks using a quilting technique I learned when we lived in Charlotte, NC. I had fun designing the 'hair' of each one using the bristles from a scrub brush, twigs from the yard, buttons, copper tubing, coiled-wire and beads. I have kept them for my own art collection. I try not to make something just because I think it will sell, I make what I love -- that's usually when sales follow. 

Emotion quickly comes to mind as a reason behind a purchase. When I buy something I want, it makes me feel good. This often includes pottery made by others. I use my own pieces all the time, but I appreciate and covet clay objects created by other artists. I like to support fellow crafters and I cannot make pottery the way they do. 

I've just created a wrap bracelet incorporating a decorated piece of my clay and recycled bits of old jewelry. Here's the prototype I've made. You'll be able to create one of these too in an upcoming class through The Muse in Frederick, Md. If you can't make it, would you like me to make one for you?  Click on this photo to let me know!

Need is another reason to buy. Whether it’s perceived or actually fulfills a necessary function can be debatable. Do I need another pair of earrings? No. Will it complement an outfit I have in mind? Yes. Purchase made. 

I love how these square bowls look and nest together! Now I'm going to perfect the production process. I'll add them to my shop in the Spring. Any thoughts on colors you'd like to see? Click on this photo to let me know. 

Ease of sale. Computer clicks make it incredibly easy to buy these days. It is fast, but you must rely on a written description and a photo. I’ve shopped this way numerous times, but I think I still prefer a brick and mortar experience in person. 

It's hard to believe the same blue glaze can look so different depending on the color that lies beneath! Here are some new mugs fresh from the kiln.

Price. I’ve fallen victim to buying something because I couldn’t pass up the low price. I may not need it or even want it. But feeling as if I’ve gotten ‘such a deal’ has overridden all the other reasons to purchase. 

I’m sure there are numerous studies on the psychology of sales. I’ve even succumbed to some on-line courses on improving my skills in social media and website construction. I'd like to hear your opinions on this subject too. Tell me how I can improve the buying experience for you. Photos of my pieces in use? Pricing? Ease of sale? I look forward to hearing from you! Click this photo to let me know.

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!