Taking Root

This week has been a whirlwind. I travelled to Huntsville, Alabama for a private sale of my pottery at the home of my daughter’s imminent in-laws. I was welcomed with open arms and helped by an incredible team of hosts to showcase my ceramic art. I am humbled by their generosity and support. Twenty percent of my proceeds will be donated to a local charity. 

I sold lots of pottery, made many new friends, learned some new words, and tasted some delicious southern recipes. As I head back north, I’m ready to get back to the studio to fulfill the numerous special orders I received, replenish my inventory for upcoming local shows, and savor the extended roots I’ve planted in a new community. 

Thank you, Huntsville, for making me feel right at home. I’m already looking forward to my next trip south! All in all, I'd say my experience can be described with one of my new words: groovylicious!

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. 

Celebrating All Things Hand Made!

You may not be aware that it’s American Craft Week. October 6 – 15 marks a national spotlight on handcrafted art in America. Why is this significant? Think about it. Crafts spark jobs, help create vibrant communities, and provide economic growth all while showcasing our exceptional national heritage. And on top of that, crafts provide a beautiful aesthetic for our homes and public places. 

American Craft Week provides nationwide opportunities for you to explore handmade art right in your local community. Craft shows, artist demonstrations, shops and curated exhibits are all part of the fun. Click here to find specific details about American Craft Week in your area. Want to visit my studio to learn about my creative process? Just let me know and we'll make that happen!

As the holiday season approaches and you begin to think about your own family traditions, celebrations, and gift-giving opportunities, please consider buying and using items made by a craft artist. Your purchase means the world to its creator. You are supporting a small business, and helping keep the art of craft alive and well. 

Keep Your Wits About You

My mother-in-law died on Saturday. She was 92. Helene’s health has been failing and even though we knew death was in the cards, it seems as if she died quite suddenly. “Keep your wits about you” was the sign-off my husband Barry would say every time he talked to his mom. It was a saying he’d grown up with in his family and to me is shorthand for an abundance of meaningful messages all rolled into one short phrase.

Sunrise. Sunset.

Mom embodied the golden rule. She treated everyone as she would like to be treated. She showed me that it was okay to have more than one mom in my life. And I am grateful. I learned lots of Yiddish terminology from Helene. Some words have an actual English translation. I think she may have made some up on her own. Ungavuffen – all messed up; Shpilkes – ants in your pants; Schmeerzix – lotions, especially sunscreen, are a few that come to mind. 

She adored her family and counted each new member as one of her tribe. She subtly (or not so subtly) bragged on each of us to her friends, aides, and other family members. 

Of course, she influenced some of the pots I create. On my first visit to meet my (now) husband’s parents, I was struck by the lazy susan on the kitchen table. More than 20 years passed before I came up with an idea of how to make one out of clay. I would never have thought of the idea if it hadn’t been for that first encounter I had back in the 1970’s. The Paul McCobb set of little drawers (pictured lower left corner) on my worktable once held Helene's collection of jewelry on her dresser. Now it holds an abundance of my clay tools. 

This vase shape was influenced by a vase Helene had in her house. I mimicked the design, use of different patterns and shape with a clay quilting method I learned in a handbuilding class.

Keep your wits about you. Hold it together. When the world around you seems filled with chaos, pull your circle of friends and family closer. Stay strong. Find some joy in the days you have. Set an example. Treat people the way you’d like to be treated. Keep your wits about you. 

What Are You Craving?

It is officially Fall according to the calendar. The temperature today is expected to reach in the 90’s. There are still signs of summer’s growth in the garden, but the earlier darkness and carpet of dead leaves along my walking route signal inevitable change. I notice I experience different food cravings depending on the season. Does this happen to you too? I’ve been searching my recipe collection to help me decide on something different for dinner. At night, my sweet craving has been strong. I’ve sought to satisfy it with a slice of cake, caramel M & M’s, and coffee ice cream. Each has tasted delicious, but not quite satisfied that craving. Any suggestions?

I planted a set of flowers to border the stone wall of this backyard garden this past week. If you look closely, you'll see some of my garden totems in the far right corner of the photo. This garden evolves throughout the seasons with new plantings and garden sculptures (including many of my own)!

As usual, my activity in the studio reflects what is happening in my life. The glaze colors I choose are often more subtle. The shapes I think about making are for serving food and entertaining. Often I make a dish with a specific recipe in mind.

I’ve replenished my supply of bird feeders for the garden in anticipation of helping them through a winter season. I still like a pop of color in my yard -- no matter the season. I tend to make these pieces in bright colors year round. 

Tell me what you are craving. Are there certain recipes that come back into rotation for you this time of year? Is there a certain type of pottery you use over and over in your kitchen or when you have company in the fall? What colors appeal to you this time of year? All this information is helpful to me in the studio. It inspires me and helps the creative process. Click here or the photo below to tell me!

Playing Favorites

I answered several interview questions this week for a future article in a local magazine. The queries were interesting, insightful, and thought-provoking. I’m still thinking about one of the questions in particular – “Describe your favorite piece or one that stands out in particular.”

I’ve created a lot of pottery over the years and when I thought about answering this question, I had a hard time choosing one favorite. I tend to fall in love with the piece of pottery I am making at the moment. Even if I’ve made the shape in the past or over and over in a series, each one I develop holds its own value and personality for me. An advantage of having a home studio is the ability to nurture each stage of the creative process any time of day or night. I admit that I sometimes visit the studio just to admire and drink in what has been created that day or week. 

Of course, there are certain pots I’ve made that signify key developmental stages in my clay journey. The first large (heavy) platter I successfully threw on the wheel is still pulled out to serve food at a large gathering; a succession of bowls in various sizes I use while cooking on a daily basis; and a variety of hand-built containers I created as I learned new methods of shaping clay all stand out in my mind.

I answered the reporter’s question in a similar way. I mentioned how significant each piece I create is to me. And, I chose to describe one of the driftwood basket series I first made when we lived in Hilton Head, SC. I’d long thought about the idea of combining my love of knitting and clay. Initially, I’d wanted to somehow embellish the edge of a pot with stitched wire. But that’s how the creative process goes. I start off with a picture of one thing in my mind and as it evolves, it transforms into an even better idea. The driftwood baskets fit neatly into purchased wrought iron stands, incorporate collected driftwood from daily walks on the beach, and satisfied my desire to add a stitched element with a crocheted leather cord along the edge. 

This particular basket is destined to raise money for a charity called Village of Promise during a show I'm doing in Huntsville, Alabama in about a month. Want to bid on it and contribute to this wonderful cause? Click on the photo and send me a message and I'll get you in on the bidding!

Do you have a favorite ClayByLaura piece? I’d like to hear about it and tell me why! Click here to let me know!.

Motivation

Most days it is easy to go to the studio and get to work. I rarely get bored and love to think up new ideas to keep my creativity flowing. Occasionally there are days where my motivation is lacking. I’ve learned to accept these blips and know to take a break from my clay routine to rejuvenate. Among my favorite remedies to help me reboot are a walk with the dog, coffee with a friend or trip to my favorite yarn shop.

I've made this sugar/creamer set many times in the past. What excited me this time was using a new texture pattern on the surface. I love the results!

The repetition of creating a hunk of clay into a useful, beautiful object is rhythmic and familiar. I like that part of the process. Figuring out a new shape is inspiring too. Cutting out a fresh design and piecing it together is exciting – especially when the picture in my head of what I’d like to create matches or exceeds the finished product! Goal setting is another motivator for me. I think this is why I enjoy creating special orders for customers. I love the challenge of developing a clay creation inspired by another person’s idea. 

I learned to 'pour' concrete for a garden project I'm working on. This will provide the base for a mosaic I'm creating. I'll post photos of the completed project when it's set in place later this fall!

In addition to replenishing my standard inventory and preparing for several upcoming sales, I’ve got several custom projects in development. I’ve been working on a special garden accent that has me exploring mosaic-type installation. Several trips to the local hardware store (one of my favorite haunts) have given me ideas and the confidence to produce this fun design. Several other custom orders are in process of development, final approval and production as well. 

I’m working on my 2017 angel design. My friend, Patti Cain was the inspiration for making angels when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1994. After her death, I have continued to make a new series each year and donate a portion of these proceeds to breast cancer and hospice charities. The motivation behind this series happens naturally each year. 

Harvest Season

The days are getting shorter and signs of fall are growing. I’m still able to gather flowers from my garden and enjoy a few tomatoes from the vine, but seasonal changes are noticeable. Preparation for upcoming shows, holiday special orders and gift-giving season are in full swing in the studio now. 

I’ve always enjoyed the change of seasons. Each time of year holds unique attributes to savor. Winter brings sweater-weather and a desire to bake; Spring encourages new growth; long days of Summer inspire lots of outdoor activity, and Fall is a time to harvest and prepare for multiple family gatherings. I notice the pieces I make in the studio often reflect this seasonal rhythm as well. 

Holiday decorations, baking-dishes and serving pieces are in the works. Often, my inspiration for these creations is influenced by my own kitchen, entertaining and decorating needs. What recipes do I like to make and serve in the fall and which ceramic shapes will help fulfill that purpose? Additionally, I like to hear from you. What are you looking for this time of year? Click on the photo if there is a specific shape you're interested in! I welcome your input.