Mantra

I like posting inspirational quotes to a collection board I’ve created on Pinterest. Some that speak to me have been attributed to famous people. I’ve also collected simple observations or sayings from unfamiliar sources. These concise expressions have a way of targeting (sometimes complex) ideas and communicating just the right message in just a few words. 

As a life-long writer, I understand and respect the power of words. So when I can boil down a message or feeling into a simple statement that properly conveys that sentiment in my clay art, I’m feeling good! I’ve just completed a project for a realtor friend that achieved the above-mentioned goal from my artistic side and simultaneously created a memorable keepsake gift and marketing item. 

I often embellish the clay art I create with extra 'doodads' I've collected in the studio. In this case, buttons, beads and fishing filament add extra flair to this realtor's client gift. 

The simple message of this heart expresses a mantra I’d like to repeat and honor throughout the coming year. Family, Friends, Home. Those interactive subjects are important to me and help shape the choices I make daily. 

In addition to creating the clay heart, I also took care of the packaging and mailing of these one-of-a-kind custom gifts. 

As Christmas and New Years fast approach, I hope you’ll have time to enjoy all three -- Family, Friends and Home -- and perhaps develop your own personal mantra to embrace in the coming year. 

The Price Is Right

Most artists I know struggle with the monetary part of their business. How much to charge is a question frequently explored in many artistic discussion groups I follow. There are formulas based on materials used and time spent making, but this often does not account for the overall creative thought process which leads to a piece of finished art, years of honing an artistic skill, and the time-consuming business side of marketing and selling a product. Additionally, all the hours and talent that actually go in to making art may not coincide with the price a person is willing to pay for an item. Artists are always appreciative when a sale is made. It affirms the creative process and financially supports the artist. 

I've just listed mugs for sale on my Purchase page. Enjoy your hot beverage of choice in these brightly colored and texturized vessels!

I have priced my clay art to reflect the time and effort each piece takes to be made. I also have taken into account my own creative skill at thinking up an idea and then turning that into a useful product. I make things I like to use with the notion that my friends and customers will as well. I believe my prices are reasonable and reflect the value I place on each creation I make in my studio. Many of my pieces are embellished with a mixed-media approach like collected buttons and beads or are accompanied by a favorite recipe from my kitchen. These extra touches are another way I add value to my clay art. 

As the weather turns colder, it's time to remember to feed the birds. Here is a fun flower-shaped bird feeder to hang in your winter garden. Not only will it brighten an otherwise dreary day -- but will help keep our feathered friends well-fed in the winter.

As incentive to add a piece of ClayByLaura to your collection or make a purchase as a holiday gift, I would like to offer Free Shipping for all orders that are placed through December 21, 2015. Just use the coupon code FREESHIPPING  when you checkout to receive this discount. Thank you. I appreciate the purchases, encouraging feedback and overall support I have received throughout the year.  

I had a chance to visit the newly renovated Renwick Gallery this past week. Each room of the museum was filled with a large installation by a different contemporary artist. Jennifer Angus created a jaw-dropping room decorated entirely with insects. Even the pink color-wash of the walls were created with bugs. It was fun to see the variety of everyday materials and nature used in each artist's creation. 

Why Angels?

My affinity for angels probably started while I was growing up. A print of Lauren Ford’s Guardian Angel hung in my room for as long as I can remember. It shows a little girl in a forest surrounded by animals and nature with an airy translucent angel floating in the background. I felt comforted by this image. This print currently hangs in my studio as an inspiration and connection to my past. 

Lauren Ford's Guardian Angel was created in 1891

Fast forward. I started creating angel-related clay art in the 1990s. My friend Patti was diagnosed with breast cancer. She faced the disease and the treatments head-on with her usual positive and happy outlook. At the time she was a recent widow and single mother of three young children. Unfortunately, she lost this battle and died in 1995.

I used the Raku method of firing to create these angels over the years. It was the start of my multi-media approach to clay. The first year I made these I used actual springs from the hardware store to create the hair. Then I discovered colorful wire and beads! Look out!!! 

Patti was the first of my friends and acquaintances to give Breast Cancer a name and a face for me. So I started creating a clay angel form each year to help me honor my friend Patti and the subsequent people I knew who were diagnosed. It helped me work through my feelings in the studio and do ‘something’ to help raise money and awareness about cancer. A percentage of my yearly proceeds is donated to a variety of Breast Cancer and Hospice charities. 

This angel candle holder series shows my love of texture way back when!

I have stayed in touch with Patti’s family off and on through the years. And this year, after connecting with her grown daughter on-line, I’ve just sent off a package of Patti’s-inspired angels to be distributed to her family throughout the holidays. It’s a full circle moment and makes me feel good. 

Angels have taken on a variety of shapes and functions throughout the years. Angel ornaments can decorate a holiday tree or become part of an art collection. The potsticker version can be used outdoors in the garden or indoors in a houseplant.

So here's the 2015 Angel/Patti-inspired clay item. It's a reminder that time does tick by and savoring our family, friendships and special moments is always a good choice to make. You can add one to your collection by clicking on the photo.

Let The Gift Giving Begin!

I’ll start. Here’s a chance to receive a free ClayByLaura mug which retails for $42 from me. Entry is simple. Like the ClayByLaura Facebook page = one entry. Like the blog Facebook post = another entry. Share the blog Facebook page = another entry. Comment on the blog Facebook post = another entry. Leave a comment on my website = another entry. Sign up for Studio Updates (if you haven't already!) = another entry. Pin one of the photos from this blog to your Pinterest page = another entry. Follow the ClayByLaura Pinterest page = another entry.  Follow me on Instagram, look for the ClayByLaura Free Mug Giveaway Post – like it, comment on it, and @share it for even more entries! You get the idea. A winner will be chosen and announced at random on Sunday, December 6. 

If you're like me, a morning cup of coffee happens first thing. I have certain favorite mugs that seem to make that first cup o' joe even more delicious. I hope this will become your favorite mug!

Not a coffee fan? That works too. This is the perfect mug for a warm cup of evening cocoa to help melt away the day's stress. The mug holds 12 ounces of your favorite liquid.

I hope the spirit of giving this season is pleasurable for you. That's the real point -- to enjoy the gift giving and not let it become a burden. If you are looking for unique gift items starting at just $15, take a look at the ClayByLaura Purchase page for handmade presents that will last for years to come and remind the recipient of you each time they are used!

Push The Pause Button

As much as I love creating clay art in the studio and meeting customers at sales events, I also treasure family time. This coming week I am preparing for a Thanksgiving table of 18! I couldn’t be happier! Gathering together around a ceremonial meal complete with tried and true favorites and an experimental recipe or two – it’s a lot to be thankful for.  

I like the added bustle and hustle of grocery stores and markets. I like the ritual preparation of the meal. I even like to clean and organize the house in preparation for staging and serving the meal. It's a pause from my usual routine. The preparation gives me a chance to reflect and of course be thankful.

So here's one of our family Thanksgiving favorites! Please share some of your own family favorites with me. I love trying new recipes -- especially when they come highly recommended!

I hope you will have a chance to push the pause button in your own life this week. Despite all the crazy preparation for this American holiday, it is time to reflect, share gratitude and be together. 

Here's one of the largest bowls I ever made while working on the potter's wheel. I think it is a good size for the new recipe I'm planning to try while the family is gathered. It's a caramel corn recipe from a fellow potter/blogger 'Dr. Deb.' I follow her blog posts. Click on the photo above to get the recipe. You won't be disappointed!

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.