Preparation is an important building block of the creation process and impacts the success (or failure) of what gets made. I spent this past week in the studio playing with this building block, composing a variety of elements for future projects.

The local school tile totem project is moving forward. The tiles have been decorated, glazed, and fired. Assembly will happen this coming week!

I spent a day in front of a video camera, demonstrating how I make one of my yarn bowls, and talking about the process and what had led me to this art form. When the broadcast is ready, I’ll share it through my website!

As I unloaded a glaze kiln firing, I realized my color choices highlighted several reds, whites, and blues. Perhaps it was a subtle nod to today’s Memorial Day holiday. Today, especially, I’ll be thinking of the countless people who have sacrificed their lives to protect me.

Want to save on a ClayByLaura creation? Use the code MEMORIAL when you shop this week, to receive 10% off your order over $25.00! Click on this photo to shop.

Here's my current knitting project. I have another one waiting in the wings which is good incentive to keep knitting!

I had a conversation at a drop-in knitting group I attended this week at The Knot House. It was about starting new projects before you’ve finished others. I have disciplined myself in my fiber arts to fully complete a project before I start another. Otherwise, I find I have lots of projects started and nothing finished. Based on this week’s conversation, I’d say it’s a common habit in the yarn world and probably happens with lots of creative types.

There is something invigorating about starting up a project and working on something new. The completion and finishing details of many projects is not always as exciting. In knitting it involves seaming the knitted pieces together, sewing on buttons, weaving in loose yarn ends and blocking the finished work. Not glamorous, but all necessary for a finished product.

The ribbon plates and bowl are fresh out of the glaze kiln. This week I'll catalog them before I move on to the next project!

It’s the same process with clay. Creating and making is really fun. The finishing details like cataloging work, photographing, measuring the items and creating descriptions for selling—those are my stumbling blocks. Thanks to the help of my new marketing/PR associate – I am planning to apply the same lessons I’ve learned in knitting to my clay work. Completely finish what you start before creating something new. It’s worked well for me in knitting and will serve me well in my clay.

From The Studio

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