You Can Help!

My mother used to write a weekly column for The Washington Post in the mid-1960’s titled ‘You Can Help.’ Each column featured a story about a different charity in need of volunteers and donations. Listening to all the news about the natural disaster affecting Texas while I have been working in the studio has me thinking about what I can do to help.

First, I plan to donate some money to the Red Cross. Maybe you’ll consider making a direct donation to them or another charity to help the thousands of people affected by the relentless storm. Second, I’ll donate an extra $20 for each 'heartfelt' piece you purchase from me this week as an additional donation to the Red Cross. This popular shape was created to hold small notes of love, forgiveness, and hope. Buy one for yourself or share one with a friend. Together, we can contribute some love where it's needed right now. Click on this photo to shop!

The kiln has been running non-stop in the studio in preparation for upcoming fall shows, custom orders, and replenishing my inventory. I've been experimenting with some new clay shapes and color combinations for the fall. Here's another place I could use your help and feedback. Click on each photo to tell me if you like or don't like what you see.

New Rectangle Baker with Teal/Autumn Leaf glaze combination. Click on photo to comment.

Large pie dish with Turquoise/Bluebell combination. Click on photo to comment.

New Oval Baker with Yellow/Aquamarine combination. Click on photo to comment.

Yellow/Autumn Leaf combination. Click on photo to comment. 

Thank you for your help!

Does Size Make A Difference?

Recently I’ve been working on projects big and small. It has me thinking about how this affects the pricing of a finished piece I create. Although the amount of clay that goes into each one is a material factor and obviously proportional to their finished size, creative time and artistic effort are important to the end price calculation too. Here’s where it gets tricky. I may spend just as much or more time creating something that measures just a few inches as a large piece that stands over a foot.

This sugar/creamer set I started this week is much smaller in scale to the three planters I made. The set consists of eight separate parts joined together. Just because it is smaller in size doesn't necessarily mean it should be priced less than a large piece.

“How long did it take you to make that?” is a recurring question I get asked. Time is one more factor that helps calculate the end value of a piece of art. But it can be deceiving too. As an artist’s skills grow (another valuable attribute), the time it takes to complete a project may decrease. The original prototype of a particular clay shape takes me the longest to create. Once I’m satisfied and have made a template of the shape, I can recreate the original more efficiently.

Sometimes I create a texture just for one specific project. This is one more factor to consider in the end price.

Back to my opening question, “how does size factor into the creation process”? Furthermore, does/should the size influence the price of an item? I know clay artists that charge a set price based on the finished weight of their pieces. They have calculated a per ounce or per pound number and are comfortable going with that method. The larger the piece is, the pricier the item.

The prototype of these little holiday tags is complete. I'll sell them in sets. They can be used to decorate a gift with a handwritten personal message on the back. The recipient can treasure this keepsake for years to come! Now I'm working on how to package them. It's one more factor that goes into completion before I sell and influences the end price. 

I haven’t been able to reconcile the weight method for my clay art. When I price each piece I create, I do think about its size, the time it took to create, my creative effort, packaging, and finally factor in its perceived value. Size does make a difference, but it is not the only one of the factors of the end calculation.

Together As One

For the last several years, I’ve participated in an annual Lend a Hand art fundraiser sponsored by The Muse in Frederick, Md. The challenge is to fill an 8-inch square canvas with artwork inspired by a specific theme. Everyone and anyone (professional artists and customers) are encouraged to participate. The full collection of canvases is auctioned to the highest bidder and the money raised is donated to a local charity. 

The motivation for this year’s artwork is a small scrap of a map and the words: “Together As One.” The charity recipient (Blessings In A Backpack) provides food for local needy children on the weekends. I finished my entry this past week and I’m pleased with the end result. 

The inspirational message, ‘together as one’ resonates profoundly in light of the violence and vitriolic language in recent news. My thought process in creating the artwork was inspired by a fistful of flowers. Each one is unique and could stand alone, but the impact of all of them together as one bunch is truly more powerful. 

If you’d like to bid on this or any of the auction artwork when it is available in September, let me know. You can do this long distance. Click on the photo to send me a message and I’ll be sure to help you participate in this artful fundraiser. Let's come together and help raise money for a great cause!

Hit and Miss -- All Part of the Process

I’ve been thinking about some clay shapes I’ve made in the past especially since I was commissioned to recreate a long oval tray I first made years ago. This time I made a coordinating bowl for the set. Revisiting a familiar form with a fresh eye is a way to revive an idea and perhaps improve its design. 

When we lived in Hilton Head, South Carolina for several years, fish and sea turtles were a prevalent theme in my creative output. Moving back to Maryland added a blue crab shape to that beach-inspired repertoire. Often, I’ll think about a specific subject as a catalyst to rev up my creative juices and figure out how to formulate that into clay.

Fish themes have returned as an inspirational subject this week. I’ve been asked to create a wall hanging using fish shapes for a local customer. In my head, I envision a school of these sea creatures dangling from a support that attaches to the wall. For me, the creative process usually starts with a mental picture. I might draw a rough sketch to test out some ideas, but my best way forward is to hit the studio and begin with a slab of clay. There I can test forms, dimensions, and proportions to transform the idea into a workable piece of clay art. Trial and error is always part of this process but usually, leads to a final success. 

One of the fish shapes I've made in the past is formed into a long tray. I thought of it as a sushi serving dish or platter for any other seafood delight. I liked the way different textures on the surface made each one unique. Since fish are currently on my mind,  I’d like to explore this theme again. I'm open to suggestions. Do you have any ideas on ways you might use a fish tray or dimensions that would be useful for you? I value your feedback! Click here or on the fish photo to let me know!

Second Act

I am a member of CRAFT (Craft Retailers and Artists For Tomorrow), a non-profit trade association. This week I was recognized by their annual American Craft Week celebration as one of twenty-four exceptional craft people “who began their working lives in a career other than craft.” American Craft Week is a national celebration of handmade American craft each October. Open studios, special shows, and organized events are scheduled to take place at the same time each year to spotlight the beauty and value of American craft. Click on this logo to view my award!

I like to mix materials in my creations. This little jewelry jar uses bits of recycled earrings and broaches as the center of each lid. Another form of a second act?!?

The application process for this recognition made me think about the progression of my life in art. My experience with ceramics started as a creative outlet, evolved into a passion and has become an encore profession.  I love the idea of a second act in life; I hadn’t really thought about my own clay experience in those terms, but it makes sense. 

I've finally found a way to give this old jewelry another chance to shine!

Craft has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I was always tinkering at making art, even as a child. As an adult, it’s gratifying to be able to continue this enthusiasm for creating objects that other people can use and enjoy in their daily lives. And to be recognized for something I just love to do is icing on the proverbial cake! What's your second act? I'd like to know more about it! Click on photo or comment below to let me know!

Lagniappe - A Little Something Goes A Long Way

I had a general idea of the meaning of lagniappe and when I looked up the definition to be sure, I realized it truly describes a custom I’ve long loved and adopted. The word's French/Spanish origins link it back to New Orleans in the mid-1800’s. A lagniappe is a small gift given to a customer at the time of purchase. 

Recipe cards often accompany the food-serving pieces I create and answer the question -- what can I use this for?

Who doesn’t like to receive something extra?!? When pottery is purchased directly from me at a show or through my website, I like to gift an additional little item with the sale. Sometimes it’s another little piece of pottery from my inventory. It might be a full set of printed recipes I love to cook. On custom orders, I might make an extra item to complement the purchase. 

My favorite Trader Joe's pop-up sponge is included as a gift with every sponge caddy I make. 

On the flip side, I find I like to frequent local shops that also abide by this practice. The Muse provides complimentary boxes and beautiful gift-wrapping with purchase. The Knot House may throw in a yarn pattern, a note pad or little accessory from time to time. I want to support businesses that appreciate my purchases and go the extra mile. It helps personalize the transaction. It makes me want to go back again and again.

Want a full set of my recipes? Make an online purchase this week and I'll be sure and send them to you with your purchase! Who knows? You might get an extra little something with your purchase as well! Click photo to begin shopping now!

We all can practice lagniappe in our lives. I think this generous concept can go beyond a physical gift with purchase. Do something extra for a friend or stranger. Give an unexpected gift of kindness, time or small action to someone and you’ll both feel good! 

A Rested Development

Learning to step back and take a break from an overworked project is hard to do. This is the case for any creative idea. Working with clay has taught me the importance of this lesson (repeatedly)! Rest renews and rejuvenates creativity.

The rocks of this circular bricked area will be replaced with one of my clay creations. It was good to see the space in person, get a sense of scale and experience the blooming surroundings. I've got a few ideas brewing!

I visited Huntsville, Alabama this past week to spend several days with my daughter’s future mother-in-law. I was invited to acquaint myself with a garden clay project she has in mind and spend some fun time together. This relaxing break from my typical routine, proved to be rewarding in numerous ways. 

This small Lisa Neimeth dish is one of the treasures I purchased on my Alabama trip.

Travel is an opportunity to recognize our shared commonalities as well as appreciate unique local traditions. We spent time visiting art galleries, area shops, historic sites and tasting regional food selections. I gained a sense of the community through all these encounters and look forward to future visits to supplement my first-time enjoyable experience.

I made these 12-inch tall planters I've been commissioned to create. An additional 15-inch tall planter will complete the set. I had a general idea of what I wanted to make but had not quite figured out some of the design details. Once I got back in the studio this week, the plan all came together!

Rest from routine has its rewards. When I returned to my studio, it was easy to jump into several of the custom projects I have on my plate. Ideas that may have been stalled seemed easily accessible. This is the beauty of rest.

RFP = Request For Pottery!

Just yesterday I heard from a longtime friend asking if I could make her a replica of a platter she bought from me more than ten years ago at an open studio sale. She told me it’s still her go-to serving tray when she cooks Salmon. I like hearing that! She asked if I could make a duplicate for a friend who’d raved about it at a recent dinner party. I said of course!

Accidents happen! I'm working on a canister to replace this particular baking mishap!

It’s been one of those weeks where requests for pottery have been front and center. Friends and customers have been asking me to make specific pieces for them. These custom requests are welcome. Some, like the long oval platter, are items I haven’t made in awhile so I get to revisit a shape and technique from past. Other forms, like the canister pictured here are best when made to order so the size and shape will fulfill a specific need.

Other requests challenge me to create something totally new! One friend asked if I could make some sort of paper towel holder out of clay similar to one she'd seen in metal. I love this idea and am developing several shapes to keep paper towels easily accessible. Do you have any ideas of shapes you'd like to see? Click on the photo above to make a suggestion!

Some requests require specific dimensions to fulfill a useful purpose. I've been asked to make a set of planters to surround the spa area of a Hilton Head backyard. These herb pots are the starting point of the design that will be tweaked to fulfill the customer's specific size and color requests!

When I look back at photos of studio sales from the past (this is from 2004), I can see the progression of my clay style and the shapes I've revisited and revised over the years.

What can I make for you? Do you have a request for pottery I can fulfill? Click here to begin our conversation! I can make something you've seen in my inventory from the past, or we can create something totally new! I'm looking forward to hearing from you.