LOVE

The power of these four letters is immense. It’s an emotion I think about, talk about and try to demonstrate frequently in my life and my art. And the symbolic heart shape has often been a theme of my clay creations. I like Valentines Day because it gives me an opportunity (excuse) to “shower the people I love with love.” I may not remember special anniversaries or birthdays, but February 14, is a date I can remind my family, friends – my ‘loved-ones,’ how important they are to me.

If you share this sentiment and plan to send a gift to your list of Valentines, I have created several heart pieces to help you convey your message to your beloved. Flowers and chocolate are enjoyable, but short-lived. Any of these options will be a welcome gift and continue to remind the recipient of your love for years to come. I've reduced the shipping costs on all of my 'heart' items to a flat $6.00 rate (through February 14). That's my Valentines Gift to you!

For $20 you can purchase and ship this lasting love message anywhere in the United States!

Store 'heartfelt' messages in this heart-shaped clay container. Offered in three color choices, this gift of love can be purchased and shipped for $38.00 (pen is not included).

Spell out your message of love with one of these colorful Clay Hearts on Canvas. $42 well spent will send this creative artwork to your recipient.

The heart-shaped handle of the Yarn Bowl helps guide the fiber when in use, or simply provides a loving symbol for this multi-functional container. $48 will send one of these to a special someone.

The owner of this 'Dream House' can store any hopes, wishes or dreams written on a slip of paper and placed in the glass vial. Spend $104 to send one of these to your Valentine. 

The heart handles of this Recipe Box also provide a useful ledge to support a recipe in use. Send this loving gift to the cook in your life for $116.00.

Share the Love

I’ve been asked to submit some photographs of the various heart shapes I make out of clay for a book being created as a fundraiser for Downs Syndrome. It’s my honor to be part of this worthy project. Reading the inspiration and rationale the book’s editor Andrea Chervanak shared with me has made me feel even better about participating. Here's a bit of what she had to say:

“...The heart as a symbol, an organ, a connection to everything...We all need and want love. We are all worthy of love regardless of our ethnicity, sexual orientation, our physical or cognitive challenges. Regardless of our differences, it all boils down to our desire to be accepted and loved...This book is dedicated to anyone who has struggled with any issues connected to your heart. You are loved.”

The positive power of love is worth spreading. Instead of focusing on our individuality, try to remember that all of us really just want some love. I invite you to share it forward in your own way!

Here are some new color combinations and textures I've used on my 'Heartfelt' shapes.

This new heart-themed Cake Stand just came out of the kiln. I'm happy with the results! I created the heart stamp for the textured surface and used a heart instead of a circle for the cut-outs. Festive ribbon can still be strung through the openings of this serving piece to add some 'extra love' when you display and serve your baked goodies. 

Originality and Inspiration

Some recent comments from an online clay group I follow have discussed the idea of originality and copying other's work. It has me thinking about my own clay art expression.  I’ve been creating in clay long enough to see the evolution of my style. It’s an ongoing journey and the fact that change and growth is always a possibility is one of the reasons I love this medium.

Skills are the first hurdle to achieve when working in clay. Like most things, that comes with practice. Next in line is the refinement of technique towards developing your own style. For me, it’s meant continuing to learn and share ideas with other clay artists through classes and workshops. I like to try out some of their methods and then incorporate them into my own artistic voice. Another way this transformation happens is through requests I receive to make a custom piece -- perhaps something totally new I've never made before.

The origin of my creations comes from a variety of sources and experiences I've gathered throughout the years. The development of each piece into my own interpretation occurs in the studio each time I touch the clay. Now, when people tell me they recognize my clay art, that compliment means I've begun to achieve a recognizable style of my own. 

Hearts have been a running theme in the studio this week!

Heartfelt vessels layered in the kiln ready for a bisque firing.

Small 'love' dishes awaiting their application of red underglaze.

A heart-shaped box will embrace mementoes of a loved-one.

This Yarn Bowl is on its way to Canada to hold the yarn of Karen Collings chosen as the winner of the recent Yarnbox giveaway! 

Write It Down!

I hope you’ve had a great holiday season spent with your loved ones and that now as the new year begins, you have time to reflect on all that is good in your life and how you’d like to make it even better.

Writing has always been a part of my profession and throughout the years has crept into my clay art. So this time of year when we shake off the year that is passing and welcome the one about to begin, I like to write down my goals as part of this tradition.

I’ve learned over the years to make promises to myself that I can keep. Simple small healthy steps are achievable. These days, I prefer to concentrate on what more I can do in my life rather than create a list of restrictions. I try to focus on positive actions rather than negative restraints. Composing, adjusting and editing my intentions throughout the year has been a useful practice.

Writing it down solidifies it for me. A new year reminds me to take a fresh look at my goals.  I’ve noticed that several of my art pieces encourage this practice for the owner. Maybe one of these will encourage you to write it down and make it happen in the coming year!

Chalk Boards are a perfect way to jot down and then edit messages or intentions. I've created a chalk board that can fit on the counter using a photo stand (purchased separately) or hang on the wall in a noticeable place! Click on the photo to see what I have in stock!

Write heartfelt messages and place them inside this loving shape to keep them safe forever. Click on the photo to see what I have in stock!

My Dream Houses embrace and hold your cherished thoughts on small bits of paper placed inside the glass bottle. Each unique home is embellished with beads, keys and found objects and can rest on a shelf or hang on a wall. Click on the photo to see what I have in stock!

"One Good Turn Deserves Another!" Words are often part of the design in my art. This Lazy Susan is one example of this method. These custom-made items are fun to create. Send me a message if you'd be interested in creating one just for you!

Right Track

[PIPPIN]

Oh, I'll never find it.... never.... never....never....

never!

[LEADING PLAYER]

Easy baby...

You're on the right track!

I took time away from the studio this week to see the newest theatrical production of the musical Pippin and the movie about Steven Hawking called “The Theory of Everything.” Both were entertaining and thought-provoking. Each explores the subject of finding your true self. To me, Pippin is about peeling away extraneous layers of life's drama to find satisfaction in its simplicity; Hawking persevered despite a life altering/threatening medical diagnosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) at age 21 which robbed his body of function while his brilliant mind flourished. Both of these lessons are valuable.

In the studio, I completed several custom projects that are on the way to their new owners. I really enjoy working with people to develop a unique clay creation. Here are some examples of these recent one-of-a-kind pieces.

This totem will enhance a garden in Colorado. It features the state flower Columbine and several heart shapes which hold special meaning to the owner. Totems can be displayed outdoors year-round in all kinds of weather conditions!

This unique hanging message was designed and created for a real estate client. It was sent out as a gift to their customers. I originated the motif based on conversations with the customer.

In addition to creating the clay project, I also designed and produced a post card for the mailing, packaged and shipped the parcel to the list of lucky recipients! This full-service approach to the project was a win-win for the real estate client and me! This distinctive idea could work for any business scenario - contact me so we can create a special clay creation gift for your customers that fits into your budget. I can take care of the project from start to finish!

This custom tray was created for a dog-loving client who recently lost their beloved pet. Check out some of my other custom creations on my website!

I like the track my clay art is taking!

Wishing all of you a Happy Hanukkah!

I hope you can take time to enjoy and celebrate this holiday-filled season with your loved ones. Peace!

Time to Reboot

The past few weeks have been filled with several opportunities to present my clay art for sale in a variety of settings. The best part of this endeavor is talking with people new to my pottery and long-time friends and supporters. It's always fun to hear how people continue to use their ‘Laura piece’ purchased in the past, today. The personal connection made in this way between an artist and an art consumer/appreciator is strong and helps validate all the effort that goes into creating and ultimately selling. I am thankful to have enjoyed this one-on-one connection over the past two weekends. I’ll be back in the studio this week making custom orders and thinking up some new creations for the coming year!

I often include recipes with the pots I sell. I like sharing good food and it gives the new clay piece owner an idea of what to serve in my dish.

Here' s one of my go to favorite recipes!

Check back on my Purchase Page this week for any last minute gift ideas and new item listings. Any on-line sale made through December 20 will receive a small surprise gift from me included in their shipment!

Give To Receive

Two of my passions, knitting and clay merged this week in a fantastic way! A monthly yarn subscription club called Yarnbox united with me to give away one of my handmade yarn bowls. Yarnbox subscribers receive regular mailings of beautiful yarns, a variety of patterns and knitting accessories. Members make choices of shipment frequency, favorite colors and needle size to receive a beautifully curated box of fiber goodies regularly in the mail! Every knitter I know would LOVE that continual gift!

If you’d like to participate for a chance to enter the give away, click on the Yarnbox photo to go to their Facebook page and view the contest details.

December is a month so focused on 'getting' that I think the idea of giving often becomes lost in the rush. The pressure to ‘get’ someone the perfect holiday gift sometimes outweighs the act of giving itself. It is easy to lose the joy of giving. So especially during this holiday season, try to remember to cultivate the act of giving and not just the gift.

In addition to the gifts that are purchased, giving can be reflected in simple actions like giving up a parking space to another driver, a spoken hello and smile to a stranger on the street or a handwritten note (snail) mailed to a friend or relative. All of these actions can be rewarding gifts for both parties. 

What I have found, is that when I concentrate on the act of giving without any expectation of reward, I’m happy. And usually, it’s these kinds of gifts that foster positive returns tenfold.

Its Showtime!

Selling my clay art is an important task and fully completes the cycle of my efforts in the studio. My pieces are available for sale at galleries and shops, on the internet through my website and ETSY and at craft and home shows.

Over the next two weekends, I'll be showing and selling my work locally in the Washington, DC suburbs. If you are in the area, please stop by!

* Saturday, December 6th from 5 to 9 pm - The Muse - 19 N. Market Street - Frederick, MD

* Sunday, December 7th from 1 to 4 pm - Laura's Open Studio - Urbana, MD

* Saturday, December 13 from 11 to 6 pm - Art Show - Margaret Hluck's Studio - Frederick, MD

* Sunday, December 14 from 11 am to 4 pm - Private Home Show - Potomac, MD

Since today is cyber-Monday, please take a look at my on-line shop (Purchase Page) for any gift or personal shopping. I will be posting new items throughout the coming weeks as they come out of my kiln. 

I often create custom work for people based on their specific desires. These pieces are fun to do and really help me stretch my creative muscle. If you don't see something you'd like in my current inventory, just ask. I'd be happy to make something for you. 

The colors and designs of the set of mugs was created specifically for one of my customers.