Fulfilled

This is the perfect word to summarize this past week. I am grateful that the unique spoon rest I created to help raise money for my local Blessings In a Backpack organization has been a huge hit! I received multiple orders on-line and had a big turnout at my Open Studio Sale. Thank you for helping me support this special group feed hungry children on weekends. I sold out of two separate inventories of spoon rests I created. I'll go back in the studio this coming week to create more spoon rests to fulfill orders. Many people have chosen to purchase multiple spoon rests in a variety of the available colors to give out as gifts. It’s truly a gift that keeps on giving!

These Tray-n-Bowl sets and Message Plates are perfect for serving your family and friends throughout the upcoming holiday season. Click here to see the variety of sizes, colors and patterns currently available for sale. 

Lots of planning, time and effort go into a clay sales event but it’s always hard to predict how many people will actually attend and what the final outcome will be. I’ve learned over the years not to try to anticipate or fixate on a desired tally. Success is not only measured in numbers, but is also attained through interactions and connections that are made. This time, the combination of an Open Studio Sale and Fundraising Event has fulfilled my desire to share my clay art with others and helped increase donations to a local community cause. It doesn't get much better than that!

I’ll keep the Blessings In A Backpack spoon rest available for sale on my website in case you’d like to add one to your own counter or give it as a gift. Click here to place your order today!

Calendar Drill

I love this phrase! My girlfriend Margaret uses this saying when she and her family coordinate their calendars for upcoming events. And this time of year when the days seem to zip by, evening darkness arrives much too early and activities abound – a good ‘calendar drill’ is in order.

Beyond dates and times, for me, a calendar drill is a great moment to think about how my time is spent throughout the day and what is truly important. As we often do at the beginning of a yoga class, it’s a good time to set intentions. An internal (as well as family-oriented) regular calendar drill is a good habit to develop.

Throughout the upcoming holiday rush, blur of cooking, constant cleaning,  abundant eating, annual parties, obligatory shopping, gift giving and gathering of family and friends -- do a mental calendar drill. Prioritize. No need to overdo. Remember to be in and actually enjoy the moment. 

So here's one important event I have on the studio calendar this coming week. I'd like you to add it to your calendar as well!

ClayByLaura Open Studio Sale*

Saturday, November 14

1 - 4 pm

9176 Bealls Farm Road, Urbana, Md.

*20% of sales will be donated to Frederick, Md. 'Blessings In A Backpack'

(If you can't make it to Maryland this weekend, and would like to participate, I'll donate 20% of all on-line sales I receive by end of day November 14 to this worthy cause -- providing hungry children with food to eat on the weekends -- as well.)

Getting The Word Out

In addition to being in the studio, I've spent time updating my website this week. A purchase is the ultimate validation of the creative and production process. One of the best methods I’ve found for promoting my creations is through ‘word of mouth.’ After people purchase or receive and successfully use a ClayByLaura creation, and then tell someone else about it – that’s the ultimate marketing tool.

One of my regular customers just sent me this photo! This medium-sized Tray-n-Bowl set resides in a home in Potomac, Md. I see it's been put to good use with a home made loaf of my favorite Banana Bread recipe! To purchase one for your own kitchen, click the photo!

I’ve just added a new feature to my website to help me spread the word about ClayByLaura. You can add your comments to this endorsement page by filling in a simple form. You can also, send me a photo of one of your favorite ClayByLaura pieces and how you like to use it in your own life. I will post your comments and photos on the ClayByLaura website to encourage others to add a piece of my clay art to their own collection. 

Here are some of my newest additions to the ClayByLaura website shop! Click on the photos below to see what color combinations I currently have in stock. If you'd like me to create a special item just for you, fill out the custom order form on the product page to let me know!

Just in time for the upcoming holidays, this square plate with various seasonal sayings can serve up your favorite treats for Santa or other special house guests or be given as a hostess gift. 

This Small Tray-n-Bowl set is perfect for serving sushi, fresh fruit or small bagels and your favorite spread. 

The large version of the Tray-n-Bowl is the original size I've been making for years. This piece works for serving everything from appetizers to entrees!

This new shape was created as a cheese/appetizer server. Use chalk on the plain side to identify the cheese variety or choose the decorative side for serving special snacks. 

Open

I made this special keepsake for a recent fundraising event. The slogan typifies the significant role this religious institution plays in the community it serves. It is a neighborhood icon (near my childhood home) where everyone in the community is welcome and inclusive events are created to serve multiple needs and generations in one locale. Members and non-members participate in a wide range of activities there from Pancake Breakfasts to regular religious services. 

I'll be updating the purchase pages of the ClayByLaura website in the next few weeks to include stylized photography like the Small Tray-n-Bowl set pictured above. I've just restocked this popular item, so click on the photo to see the color selections currently available! More new items will be listed in the coming weeks!

When I'm successful at staying open-minded -- that's when creativity flows, opportunity reveals itself and life is good. It's not always easy to accomplish openness, but it's a goal I continue to pursue. 

I've just arranged to host a fundraising Open Studio event November 14 for a fantastic local charity -- Blessings In a Backpack. A percentage of all sales proceeds will be donated to this worthy cause that feeds hungry children in our community (and many other communities throughout the United States). Additionally, I have created this special spoon rest that will be sold at this event and at some other select venues in the near future. If you are interested in attending, send me a message; I'll post event details in the coming days. 

Making It!

In middle school I remember wanting to ‘fit in’ with my peers by wearing the similar popular brand of clothing at the time and participating in like-minded group activities. By trying to be the same, I think each of us was learning to get comfortable with our individuality and what makes us unique. As an adult, I realize the importance of embracing our different talents while recognizing our shared humanity. One of the things I do well is make stuff (and I am proud to say I’m pretty good at it)!

Here's a spoon rest I'm working through in the studio. 

Making is part of my DNA. This is the way my brain is wired and I’ve learned over the years to use this capacity to my own benefit. I like construction – seeing all the parts and then putting them together. It’s probably why I like the challenge of creating new forms in clay. I’m also learning that this creativity has value – both practical and monetary. Creating colorful fun and functional clay forms is one of my unique talents; the end product conveys this sense of whimsy and provides a use for its owner. It’s not only about the hours that go in to making a piece – it’s also the creativity and distinctive touch of my hands that adds value to the end product.

I've used different techniques, types of clay and glaze colors over the years to express my art. When I see something I've made in the past being used in the present -- it makes me feel good!

We all have our talents. And they are all different. This is what makes our community thrive – our differences as well as our shared desires. 

Get Used To It!

There was a time when I saved ‘the good dishes’ for special occasions. No more. Now, that seems like an old fashioned concept. I don’t think my kids and their contemporaries share this idea of only using certain special or costly items just once in awhile. I have begun to break this habit by using the items I’ve made, purchased and love on a regular basis. It makes me happy.

In the morning I start each day with a hand-made mug of coffee. Not only do I believe it tastes better that way, the unique feel of each vessel in my hand links me to the maker on a personal level.  Each potter has touched and manipulated the clay into specific form only they can create. I appreciate their attention to design and material each time I take a sip. It’s not necessarily a conscious thing, but the added pleasure to this morning ritual is real.

Throughout the day, I continue to use as many of the pots I own as I can. Beyond cooking or serving food, I like to find other ways to utilize my pottery collection. Bowls can hold mail, spare change or desk items. Trays and plates catch water drips from planters, house collected treasures or a midday snack.

I end each day with a current knitting project. Here, again, I've begun to use one of my yarn bowls to catch and hold the ball of fiber as I build the rows I knit into a finished piece. Using what I make gives me insight into the pot's structural strengths and helps me visualize the piece through the eyes of the user. 

So get out the pottery you love and start using it! I bet it will help brighten your day and even make the food you are eating taste better!

At Your Service

Serving pieces and dishes are a big staple of my clay inventory. This time of year especially, when holiday gatherings are hosted, we all tend to pull out the ‘good dishes’ to complement the abundant cooking effort that has taken place in the kitchen. I’ve been working on some new designs in the studio for serving those special recipes, entertaining guests and gift-giving.

The glazed and unglazed surface of this tray serves a dual purpose and gives users the opportunity to spell out their message or label items they are serving on one side of the tray. Now that I'm happy with the design, I'll create more of these to place in my inventory for sale. 

Yesterday I unloaded a kiln filled with the results of weeks of development and design decisions. This is the point in the creative process where I can truly judge success or a need for further construction tweaks. I’ve experienced both situations throughout my clay journey. Even when I’m happy with the results, I often see ways to improve a piece the next time it is made. 

I'm creating a sample for an upcoming craft party sponsored by The Muse on November 8. Here's a sneak peek at what you can make. It's a tray for serving snacks for nibbling; a place to hold holiday mail; or a location to display favorite treasures. This craft party will take place at the ClayByLaura studio. Students will decorate handmade textured clay tiles with acrylic paint, adhere them to a 9" by 12" wooden tray with handles and finish the mosaic with grout.

Often, I embellish a piece I've made with other materials to make it complete. These new key holders will be finished with cup hooks to gather household keys in one memorable location!

It's a great feeling when a new design meets or even exceeds expectations! I'm happy with the results of the newest ClayByLaura ideas and look forward to getting them into your hands for the upcoming holiday season.

Gift Giving

"'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free

'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,

And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

  'Twill be in the valley of love and delight."

Joseph Bracket - Shaker Dancing Song

As autumn shortens the days and the weather becomes brisk, the fall holiday season beckons. It seems as if the stores, shopping malls and advertisers shove it in our face before we are ready to think about Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas or Hannukah – but the retail planning for these festivities needs to happen far in advance.

Lots of potters I know and follow are readying their inventory of holiday wares in anticipation of upcoming sales events. I am in the same mind-set. The dilemma is figuring out what and how many to create. I’ve mentioned before my passion for the clay process that includes figuring out the best way to make multiples of an object. I often make a couple of samples of the final product until I’m satisfied with the outcome. Next, I develop a template out of manila folder as a pattern guide. I gather any other necessary tools and begin cutting and assembling.

The holiday sales season is a chance to experiment in the studio with new shapes and colors and revisit the reliable sellers. This fall, I have been asked to create new designs for a corporate client gift, a fund-raising holiday sale and a craft retailer. I'll also be teaching a class or two in the studio; students will create a mosaic serving tray. If there is a special gift you would like me to create for a client, loved one or hostess, now’s the time to speak up! Are there items I create, you would like to give or receive as a gift? Please let me know.

Think about supporting local, hand-made or small business operations when you fulfill your holiday shopping list and gift giving this season. It makes a big difference to those of us toiling away in our studios and shops on a regular basis. A special gift from the ClayByLaura studio lasts far beyond the excitement of the holiday season bringing enjoyment to the recipient each time it is used throughout the year. New holiday items will be available for sale through the website, studio and local retailers beginning in late October. Let me know if you are looking for a specific item or color and I'll be sure to make it for you!