Taking Care of Business

I’ve spent lots of time this past week with clean hands. In other words, I haven’t been creating clay pieces in the studio. I have been diligently working on the business aspect of my endeavor though. It’s a necessary and important component of any successful outcome.

Since business is not a natural skill for me, I’ve been learning how to improve as I go. Overall, I want the business of my clay art to be professional. It takes forethought and planning to achieve the numerous details of any business – and producing my clay art should abide by similar standards. I’ve been listening to podcasts (Tales of A Red Clay Rambler and The Potters Cast) of other potters to gain new insights and joined a clay Mastermind group to confer with like-minded artists and learn new ideas. This has been very helpful.

I've set up a lightbox in my kiln room to help standardize some of the product photos I take. I based this design on the suggestions of another successful potter who blogs about this sort of thing. 

For me, running a professional clay art business means producing a consistent and well-made product. But that’s just the beginning. It also entails preparation of marketing and promotional materials to describe and accompany each piece including logo hangtags and recipe cards. It’s important to accurately photograph and document the art for use in marketing so I've been working to improve these skills. Pricing and inventory documentation are another important aspect of business management. I’m learning to use social media to help promote ClayByLaura through the internet. I continue to seek and develop new sales opportunities through galleries and private sales. I'll continue to tweak all of these components to improve the business side of my clay art. 

Here's another product shot of the yarn bowls. This time I used natural light and a wood table as the backdrop. 

It can be overwhelming, but as I've broken down the tasks into smaller achievable goals, I've been able to tackle the professional side of ClayByLaura bit by bit and achieved a sense of satisfaction as each piece falls into place. It's a building process -- much like the assembly of a hand built piece of clay. Each element helps make the final product stronger.  Today, I'm heading back to the clay!

Back and Forth

The start of a new year provides an automatic reset for so many aspects of our lives. For me, it signals the end of the winter holiday season, an opportunity to examine past goals and a reflective opportunity to let go and start fresh. It’s invigorating.

I've added daily walks to my routine (again). Fresh air, time to let the mind wander and a little exercise are good reasons to re-establish this habit. Yesterday's walk in nature included cold blue skies, a tree-lined trail and an unexpected dip in the C & O Canal by my golden retriever Carson!

In the studio, it’s a good time to clean. I tend to make a mess when I create. After a flurry of making, it’s easy to identify the favorite tools most used – they are piled up on my worktable. Just as some people work to rid their clothes closets of clutter and unworn attire, I like to purge my vast tool purchases to identify the most used and useful. 

I constantly rearrange my creative space to make it more efficient and enjoyable.  The clay process requires lots of lifting and moving clay supplies and clay objects back and forth between locations including:

*making-glazing-firing process

*photographing and documenting clay creations

*packing/unpacking for delivery to customers, galleries or shows and storage

Re-organizing my work space is an ongoing exercise to streamline all clay studio procedures!

I plan to focus on the photography of ClayByLaura creations in 2016. Photography is a key tool for communication – especially in the internet world of websites and Instagram. In 2016, I intend to improve this important visual aspect of my art to reflect the same effort I employ when creating a clay piece. 

The empty shelves in my studio won't last long. I'm looking forward to getting my hands muddy once again and seeing where the creative juices lead me. Thank you for accompanying me on this journey. I like the back and forth communication you provide as well. Onward! Here's to moving forward in 2016.

Reflection

As New Years Eve approaches signaling the end of one year and the beginning of twelve new months ahead, I like to spend time thinking about my life and my life’s work and set some goals for the coming year. Some people call these desires resolutions. I like to think of these promises to myself as building blocks – ways to improve what I’ve been developing over a lifetime. My classmate friends and I are turning 60 throughout 2016. It’s one of those ‘halt in your tracks’ age numbers. I think this significant milestone adds another layer of reflection to this annual ritual. I look back to see what I’ve accomplished in six decades and forge ahead to prove I’ve still got a long way to go!

As always, my time in the studio mirrors what is happening in my daily life. My creative plans for 2016 are specific and fluid. I have a few new shapes I’d like to attempt. I’d like to play with the finished surface of my creations. I’d like to pursue more fundraising items I’ve created for worthy organizations.  The unique gift/marketing items I've made for businesses are a big hit -- I'd like to create more of these too. I’ll continue to tweak my website to reflect the art from my studio and develop the way I sell on-line, in galleries and pop-up shopping opportunities. Overall, I’d like to attract the positive and decrease the negative in my life and my studio.

I've been catching up on some of my knitting projects these last few winter weeks. It's another passion I enjoy. I find it meditative and engaging at the same time. The unique design of my yarn bowls are based on my experience as a knitter. Most of the clay yarn bowls I've seen have a slit cut into them for guiding the yarn -- a design flaw in my opinion. My bowl shape cups the yarn, has two heart-shaped 'feeders' for multiple yarn colors and can be used for snacks or knitting accessories when not in use for stitching. In 2016, I'll work on a slightly larger version to fully accommodate two large hanks of yarn. 

I was fortunate to help fundraise for several worthy causes in 2015. These clay items from my studio not only attracted donations, but continue to be useful reminders of their cause!

I was fortunate to create a variety of totem stacks for people throughout the country in 2015. Each was a labor of love and a lot of fun to make! Do you have an idea for a custom totem? 

I'll continue to make tray and bowl sets in 2016. It's a popular and useful form. The fish-shaped tray was a new item in 2015. I'd like to play around with this design a bit more in 2016 to make it even better!

Garden art continues to be a source of creative exploration for me in the studio. I'm sure there are some new shapes to discover in 2016!

Bowls have always been one of my go-to shapes in the studio. This coming year I'd like to play with these shapes to create some dishes that can be used right side up and upside down. Stay tuned to see what I come up with!

Happy New Year! I hope you've had some time to reflect on 2015 and set your own goals and building blocks for the coming year.

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!