Looking Back While Moving Forward

In and out of the studio this week, I’ve had the opportunity to revisit past career accomplishments, reconnect with people I worked with over 30 years ago and attend a Stanley Cup Final event after 42 years of rooting for the Washington Capitals hockey team. In each situation, I’ve been able to reflect how my past experiences have shaped the person and artist I am today. 

Attending Datatel’s 50th Anniversary party this past week was a fun reminder of my early communications career.  Writing, advertisement development, and inter-office employee communication skills were all part of my job at the early stages of this computer/software company. It was a nurturing environment which touched all of us who worked there. Creativity was encouraged and fostered. I know I use those same skills in my personal creative endeavors today.

It’s been fun to witness the Washington Capitals play in the NHL Stanley Cup Finals. Since my husband and my son have worked in the sports arenas where the team plays throughout the history of the franchise, I am a fan by default. I’ve attended games throughout those times, witnessed the ups and downs of winning and losing and am currently ‘rockin’ the red.’

One of the constants throughout my past career and Washington Capitals fandom have been pottery and knitting. The ceramics classes I took from master potter Cliff Lee more than 30 years ago while working at Datatel resonate with the clay artist I’ve developed into right now. Back then, I made pottery on the wheel and learned to be confident with artistic decision-making. Those lessons are present in my hand-built clay creations today. I've been knitting for about as long as I've had a hand in clay. A yarn project has accompanied me to many a sporting event throughout those years!

My signature today, still looks the same as it did back in 1982.

Perspective gives us a chance to look back at life choices and significant life events that influence current decisions and circumstances. This past week, I especially realize how lucky I've been to learn and grow from past endeavors. I understand now, it all boils down to the special people we encounter throughout these experiences that make them so significant. It was good to spend time with so many of those people this past week.

Tooling Around

My time in the studio this week has been disjointed. When no particular deadline or goal looms, it can be this way. I spent time with friends, worked on non-clay projects and delved into the studio here and there. When creativity is a blank slate, it can be scary. What shall I make? What do I want to make? What do customers want me to make? All these questions have multiple answers, so creative decision-making can be hard. For me, the best solution is to dive in and just fool around.

I’ve been working out a new design for a berry bowl. I like the lattice base I’ve developed. I  criss-cross strips of clay about 1/4 inch wide for the base. At first, I used tools I had in the studio (a needle tool and ruler) to make the strips. I didn’t like the results.. 

So I created my own tool that can easily slice through the clay and create the exact-sized strip I need. I used two nails and a piece of cork. It works perfectly! Now I need to figure out how to make an adjustable version of this to cut out a variety of widths!

Now that the lattice design has been tackled, I worked on the bottom foot of the bowl and the overall functionality of the design. In my mind, the bowl will be used to wash and store a variety of berries. Additional randomly placed holes will provide air flow to keep the berries at perfect ripeness as they are stored. My latest version features square-shaped cut-outs to provide this function. I like how it looks too. What do you think? Am I getting closer? Click on photo to send me your thoughts!

New Twists and Turns

When you’ve been making pottery over a long period of time, it’s always fun to see some of your former creations in use. That happened this week when we had dinner at a friend’s house. One of my long trays was artfully used to serve some delicious crab cakes. I immediately fell in love with that shape all over again. This past week in the studio I’ve been working on some familiar inventory with a couple of new twists and turns. 

I am tweaking my berry bowl shape. Previously, the bowl has had a gentle slope punched with a random hole design. Based on some requests, I’m working on a new shape that is a bit deeper. The bottom features a basket-like pattern for drainage. I’m playing with adding some other drain holes in the bowl. What do you think? Do you like it with or without the holes? Click on the photo to respond.

I’m making a custom heart shape for a neighbor. She and a group of her friends plan to gift it to another friend facing cancer treatments. This design is a bit larger than the 4 inch diameter heartfelt shape I’ve made in the past. The cutout heart is also larger so messages of love and support can be collected and retrieved from the heart. I am honored to help create this vessel of love for them.

I’ve had an idea for votive holiday trees for awhile. Years ago, I created a triangular version that was Raku fired. This week, I played with several sizes of cone-shaped trees with star cut outs. A small electric votive candle will fit nicely under each one to add a festive touch to any holiday display. I’m glad winter is months away, but sometimes an idea just needs to be worked out in the studio no matter the time of year! Do you have suggestions? Click on the photo to respond.

I’m looking forward to revisiting the long tray in the studio this week. I still make a variety of tray and bowl sets, but the dimensions and techniques have evolved in the studio. The trays I made about 10 years ago used an 18-inch oval form for draping the clay. Lately, I’ve been using a 9 by 4-inch rectangle form resulting in large sloping sides for the tray. I’m inspired to play with the longer base forms again and using some of my new texture and glazing techniques. What do you think? Click on the photo to respond.

My Top Ten Lessons From Motherhood

For me, Mother's Day is one date a year to remember that the moms in our lives deserve ongoing appreciation all the other 364 days of the year. Here are a few of my observations about being a mom:

#10: Flowers Are Always Welcome

One day a year is simply not enough! Flowers blooming in the garden, purchased from a vendor or sent through the mail are always appreciated. 

#9: Sleep Is Over-Rated

Learning to live on less sleep becomes second-nature. Nap if you can. Go to bed early if it helps. Adult children will call you to talk when it’s convenient for them — late at night or early in the morning. Answer the phone!

#8: Giving Birth Isn’t The Only Way To Become A Mother

Mothers are not always blood-relatives. Throughout our lives, we can be mothered by a variety of people who open their hearts to us. In turn, we often nurture relationships in maternal ways. 

#7: Trust It Will Work Out

Motherhood can be fraught with challenges. It is hard to say no or disagree with our children’s decisions. Those rocky times usually even out and make us all stronger.

#6: Planning Helps, But Embrace Uncertainty

While it’s good to have a vision and plan, life with children often requires change. Learning to adjust and enjoy living in each moment helps keep a family in balance. 

#5: Learn To Let Go

This is a recurring lesson. Every stage of motherhood cuts away certain familiar routines, but also opens up a wide array of new opportunity. 

#4: Selflessness

Motherhood immediately demands we consider the needs of others beyond ourselves. It’s rewarding and perilous at the same time. It’s necessary to balance care-taking and self-care on an ongoing basis.

#3: Hug More, Yell Less

It’s important to vent our frustrations, but don’t hold on to anger. Let it surface, let it go, and hug it out!

#2: Villages Work

Motherhood does not have to be a lonely endeavor. Neighbors, family and friends all offer important back-up systems that make this important job easier. Create a village.

#10: Motherhood Never Ends

The period our kids reside under our own roofs is just a sliver of time we share in their lives. Motherhood is an evolution that adjusts to every stage (often without our consent)! Once a mother, always a mother. The parameters will continue to change throughout our lives if we let them!

Get Creative!

I finished unpacking and reassembling my studio this past week. After I’ve had a break from the studio, I’m raring to get back to the slabs of clay and start creating. I’ve got some custom orders to complete to get me started. Time away often inspires new ideas and shape variations to conquer. Some new texture rollers arrived in the mail. Let the fun begin!

The public feedback I received from the art show in Huntsville was positive and up-lifting. Attendees entering my booth mouthed the words I often use to describe my pottery: “happy”, “colorful”, “whimsical”, and “useful” were some of the words I heard. An artist couldn’t ask for any better commentary than that! My pottery creations successfully reflect and communicate the fun I experience making each one. 

Creativity is contagious. One of the best parts of participating in a show is experiencing the vast amount of creativity other artists bring to their own art. It is inspiring.  I love creating with clay and am lucky to have this wonderful outlet for self-expression. I’ve heard people say, I can’t make art, I’m not creative. That’s false. Creativity can be conveyed in all sorts of ways besides making art. Think about the ways you express yourself -- your own personal creativity factors into that.

Garden bells with lots of fun texture to decorate are in process. It will be up to you to finish them! Click here to sign up for the class and express some creativity!

Look For The Helpers...

Mr. Rogers’ sage advice summarizes my participation in Huntsville, Alabama’s Panoply Arts Festival this past weekend. ClayByLaura is not a solo endeavor. I am the hub surrounded by a multitude of spokes (helpers) that enable the clay creations from my studio to land in homes and gardens for use and enjoyment. I am so grateful.

My husband helped with the (literal) heavy lifting, driving, and emotional anxiety I experience during this type of event. His booth layout suggestions were spot on. Lesson learned: trust new ideas.

My Huntsville family, Donna and Mike embraced the whirlwind of disruption to their daily routines and welcomed our dog Carson into their home and beautiful garden. They fed and nurtured us throughout our stay, assisted in the booth throughout the festival, publicized ClayByLaura to their friends and helped us fall in love with Huntsville over and over.

My Huntsville friends were there in force. People I’d met on my past trips came to the event, shopped and told their friends and made me feel welcome. A special shout out to Teresa who spent hours of each day in my booth, encouraging sales, writing and wrapping up purchases, and giving me breaks to enjoy the festival a little. 

One more advantage of show participation is the other artists you meet. The pop-up village quickly becomes a supportive community. Chris and Lauren of DrawDog came to my rescue when a gust of wind knocked over one of my shelves and several of my pieces broke. It’s awful when it happens, but it happens. They were right there by my side, picking up pieces, offering help and providing just the emotional support I needed at the time.

Do you live in Huntsville and still want to shop for ClayByLaura locally? Good News! Several of my creations are now available at The Little Green Store and Gallery thanks to Ana Byrne! And, I'll be coming back with more pottery before the year ends for a special show at the shop! Keep your eye open for details!

Helpers are everywhere. Without looking, you just need to be open to their offers. And likewise, when the opportunity arises, be that helper yourself.

Turn Earth Day Into Every Day!

Most of last week has been spent firing the last kiln-fulls of pottery and packing boxes in preparation for my trip to Panoply in Huntsville, Alabama. I’ve rented a trailer to transport lots (and lots) of pottery there. I’m looking forward to the festivities, reconnecting with the friends and making new ones! You can follow this journey with me on my Instagram account. I’ll post pictures throughout the week. I’m ready for this adventure to begin!

Yesterday’s celebration of Earth Day is an annual reminder to cherish and care for our environment. Ending plastic pollution is one of the goals of this year’s campaign. (Like switch out pottery for plastic -- hint, hint!) I’m going to try to reduce my own plastic footprint. Will you join me? Click on the photo above to learn more!

When you choose plastic, try to reuse it again and again! These bins have carried pottery to shows, supplies to my kid's colleges, and stored valuables in the basement.

Do you remember when wearing your seatbelt in the car was not a law? Now, this safety feature is so habitual that I can’t imagine driving without being buckled in. Hopefully, eco-friendly habits will continue to make way into our daily routines so each of us can make Earth Day into every day.

Okay Huntsville, ready or not, here I come!

Pulling It Together

Studio time this past week has been dedicated to completing pieces to bring to the Panoply Arts Festival in Huntsville, Alabama at the end of April. What once felt like the distant future, is suddenly almost here. At this point, everything I could possibly bring has been made and fired at least one time. Final glazing and keeping the kiln ‘cooking’ non-stop is the current norm. 

In between the final stages of clay-making — packing pottery, making lists for the display and show supplies, fretting over inventory (too much? not enough?) are on my mind. This stage of  the creative process is when many artists I know (including me), feel vulnerable. Hours and hours of time and effort go into any creative display or sale. Bringing our creative effort out of the studio and into ‘the public’ is both thrilling and terrifying. 

I attended the opening reception of a textile-centered show this week. Several of the artists in the show are my friends. Each of them talked about their creations and voiced their passion, motivation, and process that are universal for all creative endeavors. I can appreciate their effort from both sides — as an observer and a maker. 

I love what I create and that simple fact helps keep me grounded in the final frenzy of show preparation. I try to build that joyous spark from my studio into each clay vessel hoping it can bring some pleasure as it is used in daily life. Look out Huntsville, I'll be there before you know it!