Leftovers.

The aftermath of Thanksgiving’s abundance often leads to leftovers. Day-after meals often consist of various food-item concoctions. Turkey sandwiches are piled high with different side-dish items like stuffing and cranberry relish; turkey soup is derived from the bird’s picked-over carcass; or turkey pot pie is cobbled together with remaining ingredients. Depending on how many leftovers exist, a family might enjoy all of these aforementioned extra meals for days after the main event. At some point though, as the the leftovers dwindle, they lose their appeal. 

In the studio, I work with leftovers as well. I like to incorporate discarded and long-collected treasures into some of my creations to make them useful once again. This week I played with a new idea I’m developing for a craft party I’ll teach at The Muse on January 6. 

I created several textured medallion pieces from polymer clay I rolled out and cut into different shapes. I baked the pieces in an oven for about 20 minutes. When they cooled, I decorated each with layers of acrylic paints. 

I purchased several types of cord to experiment with and ended up using leather cord I already have to create the finished necklace. A variety of beads, recycled fashion jewelry and charms were strung and simply tied into place with a knot. I like how this adds some visual interest to the final necklace and makes use of items that might otherwise be discarded. 

At the same time, I used this polymer clay to create more shawl pins for sale at the Muse. The original design was made from clay I regularly use in the studio. Since these decorative fasteners are selling well and the polymer allows a quicker creative turnaround, I decided to experiment and make some with this alternate medium. These fun brooches also incorporate leftovers constructed from knitting needles, tubing from the hardware store, and collected beads. 

How do you use leftovers in your life? Click on the photo above to tell me! I’d love to know.

Push The Pause Button

As much as I love creating clay art in the studio and meeting customers at sales events, I also treasure family time. This coming week I am preparing for a Thanksgiving table of 18! I couldn’t be happier! Gathering together around a ceremonial meal complete with tried and true favorites and an experimental recipe or two – it’s a lot to be thankful for.  

I like the added bustle and hustle of grocery stores and markets. I like the ritual preparation of the meal. I even like to clean and organize the house in preparation for staging and serving the meal. It's a pause from my usual routine. The preparation gives me a chance to reflect and of course be thankful.

So here's one of our family Thanksgiving favorites! Please share some of your own family favorites with me. I love trying new recipes -- especially when they come highly recommended!

I hope you will have a chance to push the pause button in your own life this week. Despite all the crazy preparation for this American holiday, it is time to reflect, share gratitude and be together. 

Here's one of the largest bowls I ever made while working on the potter's wheel. I think it is a good size for the new recipe I'm planning to try while the family is gathered. It's a caramel corn recipe from a fellow potter/blogger 'Dr. Deb.' I follow her blog posts. Click on the photo above to get the recipe. You won't be disappointed!

Gift Giving

"'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free

'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,

And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

  'Twill be in the valley of love and delight."

Joseph Bracket - Shaker Dancing Song

As autumn shortens the days and the weather becomes brisk, the fall holiday season beckons. It seems as if the stores, shopping malls and advertisers shove it in our face before we are ready to think about Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas or Hannukah – but the retail planning for these festivities needs to happen far in advance.

Lots of potters I know and follow are readying their inventory of holiday wares in anticipation of upcoming sales events. I am in the same mind-set. The dilemma is figuring out what and how many to create. I’ve mentioned before my passion for the clay process that includes figuring out the best way to make multiples of an object. I often make a couple of samples of the final product until I’m satisfied with the outcome. Next, I develop a template out of manila folder as a pattern guide. I gather any other necessary tools and begin cutting and assembling.

The holiday sales season is a chance to experiment in the studio with new shapes and colors and revisit the reliable sellers. This fall, I have been asked to create new designs for a corporate client gift, a fund-raising holiday sale and a craft retailer. I'll also be teaching a class or two in the studio; students will create a mosaic serving tray. If there is a special gift you would like me to create for a client, loved one or hostess, now’s the time to speak up! Are there items I create, you would like to give or receive as a gift? Please let me know.

Think about supporting local, hand-made or small business operations when you fulfill your holiday shopping list and gift giving this season. It makes a big difference to those of us toiling away in our studios and shops on a regular basis. A special gift from the ClayByLaura studio lasts far beyond the excitement of the holiday season bringing enjoyment to the recipient each time it is used throughout the year. New holiday items will be available for sale through the website, studio and local retailers beginning in late October. Let me know if you are looking for a specific item or color and I'll be sure to make it for you!