Love and Approval

I realize that many people consider Valentine's Day a manufactured Hallmark holiday. Personally, I like it. For me, it’s a yearly anniversary to acknowledge the deep feelings I have for friends and family

February 14 also acts as my reset button. I examine love on a personal and professional level and how to expand it in the coming year. This time around, I’ve been thinking about the connection between love and approval. Seeking and receiving these two important emotions seems to work hand in hand. Since clay is such a big part of my daily life, what I create often tangles with how I feel about myself. 

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In an era where social media rules how people choose to promote themselves, counting the number of clicks, likes, and messages can define this search for artistic and personal approval. Judging one's success based on these stats alone can be an addictive and misleading measurement. Like me, do you sometimes measure your happiness based on input from on-line resources?

Note to self: it’s good to step away from the electronic approval machine on a regular basis. Social promotion can provide a positive sense of self-worth, but it can also do the opposite. Before seeking outside validation, it’s important to seek our own internal acceptance.  

It’s natural to want approval from others. But treating the swings of likes, shares, followers or clicks as the only measurement of success is not healthy and not really a true reading for approval. Start by staying positive and loving yourself. Treat others with the same kindness you seek. This year, I'll be working on taking my own advice!

Happy Valentine's Day!

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!

Got Heart?

Valentine's Day is less than a week away. I like this particular holiday because it gives me an opportunity to remind people in my life how much I care about them. I may not remember every anniversary or birthday, so Valentine's Day is my chance to reach out to friends and family with a message of love. Plus it often includes chocolate. What could be better??? Hearts have been an ongoing theme in my clay creations. So here's my Valentine gift to you: receive FREE SHIPPING when you purchase a ClayByLaura item with a heart this week for your Special Someone. Flowers eventually wilt and chocolate gets eaten, so consider a gift that lasts far beyond February 14 as a continual reminder of your love. 

I've been working on some new promotional print materials in the studio this past week. I combined my signature logo and the family typewriter where I first learned the keyboard to create the type that will be used on new printed recipe cards and product hang tags.

A week in the studio often involves more than making items out of clay. My computer, phone and camera have also become integral tools for my creative routine. I enjoy the clay time the most, and I’m learning as I go to hone the other important skills utilizing electronics and social media as best I can. It’s a required balance of making and promoting a clay/creative business these days. I learned some new tricks with Photoshop thanks to the patient guidance of fellow clay artist Lyndsay Meiklem and shot numerous product photos in my studio light box to get just the right photo for my new print designs. 

I fired a glaze kiln this week containing some tray and bowl sets and several new items like tumblers.

I've been experimenting with the use of a single color on my pieces. I apply an underglaze to the clay before it is fired and use a wet sponge to wipe some away. After it is fired once, I apply a clear glaze with either a shiny or matte finish. I like how the color pools in the stamped areas as well as showing the marks of the canvas I use to flatten the clay in the slab roller. I feel this portrays the making process in every finished piece.

Of course I've been working on my own Valentine's Day gifts too! I'm using colorful paper clips to create the kickstand for the heart photo frames I made. They'll be in the mail later this week.

There's a piece of my heart in every ClayByLaura creation I make. Over the years, I think my clay creations have revealed this passion more and more as I've found and developed my artistic voice. My goal is to share this enthusiasm with you!