It's Your Serve.

I’ve been thinking a lot about ‘giving back’ lately. As a clay artist, what skill set can I share with others that will be meaningful? It’s one reason I like to teach; it’s nice to share some of my experience and knowledge with interested students. I also donate various creations to charity events to help raise money and awareness for their cause. I know there is more to being ‘of service’ than that. So I’d like to explore more ways to spread kindness in day-to-day life. 

Garden bells are in process for a class I'll be teaching at The Muse in Frederick. Interested in having one for your outdoor space? Click on this photo to send me a message and I'll make sure you are notified of class details!

January 16 is a holiday celebrating Martin Luther King’s birth. People are encouraged to volunteer on this day to honor MLK. Service holds lots of different meanings; it can be interpreted spiritually, signify a community-driven passion or happen in simple one-on-one encounters. I think it’s most beneficial when it’s meaningful to the person providing the favor. 

New heart shapes are stacking up in the studio in anticipation of Valentines Day! Reserve one for yourself or a loved-one by clicking on this photo!

Volunteering can seem impossible or time-consuming in a busy life. I think this element of sacrifice is part of the point. My mother used to write a weekly column for the Washington Post called “You Can Help.” Each article would showcase a worthy opportunity for volunteering. Sometimes we just need a suggestion of where we can help out. Google is probably a great resource for that question nowadays. 

I tried out a new recipe that was shared with me for my favorite Eggplant Parmesan this past week.. That simple act of kindness fed my tummy and my soul!

Sharing is another good way to think about service. It’s an easy way to give back throughout our lives. Think of how good you feel when a family member, friend, co-worker or stranger does you a favor. Make a conscious effort to pass on the goodwill as well. 

In the spirit of giving, one lucky ClayByLaura Club member will receive this Bird Feeder from my studio. Winter is an especially good time to provide for the hungry birds in your neighborhood. Remember to fill up your own with ample seed this time of year. Want one of my colorful bird feeders for your yard? Click here to shop. (and if it’s not currently in stock, I’ll make one just for you!)

Janet Moll is the lucky winner of the January 2016 ClayByLaura Club giveaway. Want to have a chance for next time? Click on this photo to sign up!

It's All About The Style

I’ve been thinking about the style of my clay art recently. One of the biggest compliments I receive is when someone sees one of my pieces and immediately recognizes that it was made by me. It has taken me years of practice to get to this stage and find my own creative voice in clay. 

This past week, a pottery group I belong to has been discussing how social media has impacted copying and whether that is a good or bad thing. Some of the questions that have arisen include: "Does an artist want their work to be copied from Internet postings and then sold?"  "Is it okay for an artist to copy another’s work and sell it?"  This discussion has been another way to look at the origins of my own clay art and the creativity behind it. 

When I was first introduced to the Pinterest App, I was obsessed. I love looking at pottery postings and felt I was introduced to new work that I never would have been exposed to before. It upgraded the inspirational hard copy scrapbooks with magazine tear-outs I had previously created to an on-line version. 

In order to make art, it's necessary to gain certain skills. Copying those techniques and universal shapes over and over is necessary and allows a serious artist the opportunity to begin to experiment and tweak and develop their own voice. Confidence builds with each success and every failure. 

When I’ve taught a workshop or class, I’ve noticed that even when every student copies what I’ve demonstrated, none of them looks exactly like mine. They can’t. They may look similar, but not exactly the same. Each person brings their own touch to the clay. 

I like looking at social media to see what other potters are making. It does spark ideas for my own interpretation. Is that a form of copying? I think the answer is probably yes -- in a way. For me, social media is one of the tools I use to promote my own ideas and seek out what other artists are creating. It has opened up an entire world of discovery and I think that is a good thing. I don't like or want to have my own clay art copied exactly and then sold by someone else. That does not seem right, but if I can influence another artist to think outside of their own creative box, it's a good thing. That's how we all grow.

I look at originality as a building block. My creativity is shaped by all I have learned and seen in classes and on-line. I’m turning those ideas into something someone else can look at, recognize and say – “That’s ClayByLaura.”

Have you joined the club yet? Sign up now to get in on the special discount club members will receive for the month of July! It's easy. Click on the photo above. Fill in the information. Check your email. Respond to the email. That's it! You're in!!!

Hold The Pickles, Hold The Lettuce . . .

How many of you know the next line to this 1970’s Burger King commercial? It’s been one of those weeks in the studio where I’ve been finishing and starting some special orders. These collaborative efforts between me and my customer occur on a regular basis. Creating a piece ‘your way’ often starts with the question, “could you make…?”

It can be as simple as making something from my inventory in a different color glaze. I was asked to create this medium sized baking dish in my red/white glaze combination. Done!

Some times, I’m asked to revive a shape I’ve made in the past. I forgot how much I enjoy making these sea turtle photo/recipe holders. They were a regular item in my inventory when we lived in Hilton Head,  South Carolina. These have been requested as a give-away at an upcoming fall wedding.

Other times, I’m asked to create a totally new item. This chalice and paten set are in progress for a nearby church. The design has progressed successfully with creative input from the customers.  

If you'd like a turn at some creative fun, I'll be teaching another craft party through The Muse in July. I provide all the materials you need to make a colorful potsticker for your garden or indoor plant. Check out the details and sign up here.

It’s fun to go in the studio and create a custom piece. It’s one of the ways I am able to enhance my imaginative juices, tweak a design to fit a custom request and gain satisfaction from the clay art I produce. Do you have a special request you'd like me to create? Click here to let me know!

Have you joined the ClayByLaura Club yet? Don't miss out! If you're a member, look for a special discount for on-line purchases made in the month of July! It's easy to sign up.  Click on photo above. Then, check your email to complete the registration! You're in.

If you're of a certain age (like me), it’s stuck in your head now, isn’t it?!  Hold the pickle, hold the lettuce, special orders don’t upset us…. 

Let The Benefits Begin!

A few weeks ago I started The ClayByLaura Club. Membership is easy and the perks are pretty sweet! One of the rewards is a chance to win a free pottery giveaway. This month, the lucky winner will receive one of my handmade mugs. I’ve heard from many of my customers it’s the go-to choice for a hot morning beverage or afternoon pick-me-up. 

There are other advantages to membership in the ClayByLaura Club. In addition to free ceramics, Members enjoy a standard 10 % discount on all on-line purchases. They also receive exclusive discount offers for ClayByLaura creations throughout the year. Sneak previews of the latest studio creations and regular studio updates like the Monday morning blog round out the benefits.

So how does it work? Easy. Just enter your name and email address on the club membership page here. Look for a confirmation email and click on the link provided. That’s it. You’re a member and you could have a chance to win a ClayByLaura creation too!

I've been working on a new series of tiny bowls with words. Got any suggestions for me? I'd love to hear them!

Oh, I guess you’d like to know who won the mug! 

Be sure and add your name to 'the bowl' for the next giveaway!

Join The Club!

Membership does have its benefits. I’ve created a special ClayByLaura Club for my on-line business. It’s simple to join and the rewards are plentiful. Click on the Club link here. Enter your name and email address. Complete the application by responding to the notice you receive in your email. That’s it! No muss, no fuss!

So here’s the value of your ClayByLaura Club membership:

1.    You will receive our secret handshake code to use any time you make an on-line purchase for 10% off your order!

2.    You will automatically be entered to receive special sale offers or a giveaway each month. Members will get discount codes to save on a featured item or a chance to receive a ClayByLaura creation in the mail. You will receive a special Club email with the pertinent details. 

3.    Want to be the first to see and pre-order the latest ClayByLaura creation? Club members will get exclusive peeks before a new item is released for general sale.

4.    Subscription to the ClayByLaura weekly blog. Receive an inside look at the latest news, photos and ideas from the studio.

Even if you already receive this blog through your email, you'll need to sign up to get the full benefits of the ClayByLaura club. So click on any of the photos to enter. It’s easy. And remember to complete the application by responding to the special email you receive in your inbox. The membership benefits begin immediately.  Invite your friends to join too! Forward this email to them or click here to sign them up! The more the merrier!