Growing as an artist.

Three months ago I succomed to scheduling a Ceramics/Jewelry Party for one of my long term jewelry clients!  I was reluctant to take on a ceramics party because I was concerned that I might be overloaded with Ceramic orders, so I required Jewelry purchase in order to purchase Ceramics.  Much to my surprise most people attending the party ordered just jewelry.  Although the individuals purchasing ceramics well made up for the others.  I think it was the best balance I could have asked for!  Not too much for me to finish before Christmas, and a good bit of jewelry to work on also.

The most wonderful part of the day was meeting all my old clients.  Most of the Moms attending were at my client's first party several years ago and only had one child...now they have two!  So, of course they need a second charm to add to their chains!  I thorougly enjoyed seeing pieces I first created again.  I was able to see how my work has changed throughout the years.  Each individual's personal taste can be so different!  After seeing the "newer" version of my pieces, each Mom with the older style jewelry still wanted one made similiar to the ones they had.  I love that they love their pieces! 

Although I have trouble sometimes seeing myself as an artist, I do believe it to be true.  ARTIST: a person who produces works in any of the arts that are primarily subject to aesthetic criteria.  AESTHETIC:  a.of or appreciating beauty  b.artistic 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder for sure, and all artists' work is up for interpretation by each and every "other" person's eye.  But, I do believe if you have thousands of people that think your work is beautiful too, you are a wonderful artist.  As long as I continue to do my best and create pieces I like to look at, my work will change but always be loving pieces of work that people will continue to wear and keep close to their hearts! 

I love my job, and look forward to printing each baby!  Thank you all for allowing me to make you keepsakes that mean so much to you.  Thank you all for all your wonderful complements this weekend.  It was great to see you all again.  Without you (and my family) I would be nothing...

....without him I could do nothing. John 15:5  (I'm not usually one to quote scripture, but I felt it to be applicable here!!!)

Thanks,
Kim

KISS!

This was an article I had written for a magazine for the Valentine's Issue that I kindof missed the publishing deadline!  So, thought I would share it with ya'll!  ENJOY!! Please leave comments :)

Keep It Simple Sister! That was the “modified” topic of the latest conversation I had with my husband. He enjoys reading Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad Poor Dad books teaching about financial education. As my husband travels statewide and also out of state for different opportunities with his job, he sometimes educates me on the knowledge he acquires during all his free time.

This expression popped in my head recently while contemplating on taking my business to the “next” level. As many stay-at-home moms do, I run a small home-based business in order to have a little money of my own and make life a little easier for our family. However, because of my nature, I am constantly trying to grow my business. By offering more products to my clients, I can reach a bigger client base. Working on new and innovative projects keeps my business and life fresh and exciting. Now that I have achieved my original goals and have a large client base and several new and fresh projects to work on, the next step would be a storefront. Right? How nice it would be to have a peaceful place designated just for my work! Shelves filled with supplies, room to grow, merchandise displayed for all to purchase. Expand! Expand! Expand! Well, this is something I and many other Individuals have struggled with. However, if you pay rent and stock up merchandise, how many more hours would you have to work to afford the STOREFRONT? In my case, probably more hours than I can afford. Time is money and my time now is priceless. Storefronts in a nice area may bring in customers you wouldn’t reach otherwise, but nowadays Facebook alone reaches the same amount if not more!

If you are a strong-willed individual and a hard worker, I believe these feelings of “growing” never subside. As my husband moves up the ladder at work and gains experience in his career, I feel held back by my choice to be a stay-at-home mom. I feel stuck in this world. That’s when KISS comes in play! Keep it Simple Sister! It’s stressful and not fair to me and my family to try and put myself through the rigorous exercise of Growing a business while raising three young children. My choice was to stay at home with my children! My husband and I were successful enough to allow me to do so. I have to tell myself to be happy with what I have, everything will happen in God’s time, and I will just have to wait for now! In the end, my choice was to be with my children and not hold down a +40-hour a week career. So be there or don’t, but don’t try and do both. I am stressing myself out when I should sit back and live life to the fullest. I won’t have this time again. Soon, they will be at school most of the day, and then hopefully I will have the time to do more! I know there are other moms out there that must feel the same way. Right now, I relax, realizing most businesses fail within the first six months, and so far my business has thrived for a good five years or more by just little old me working when I can and enjoying what I do. So, as I began my journey to expand, I now have decided to do my best, and forget the rest (borrowed from Tony on P90X). My constant and continual business motto is simply this: Do my best! If I know everything I create is the best I could do, I am satisfied, whether my clients are or not. Strangely enough, most of my clients are repeat customers and praise me with each piece they commission. By taking on projects I can successfully tackle with the time I have, and learning to say no to those projects that are not worth my time, I can continue to grow as a successful individual and business owner and still run my business my way!

For all those Moms and Dads juggling work and home as I do every day, take consolation that raising kids is a full-time job, and when you take on more, that would be a second job! Kuddos go out to those Moms and Dads that work a full-time job and then come home to take care of the kids.

We all make everyday decisions based on our own life experiences. Staying on track with your life goals can be a rigorous and on-going task. Those small decisions may build up, and make you feel snowed under and disabled or “stupid”(The actual saying is “Keep It Simple Stupid” but I felt “Stupid” was a little harsh). By keeping it simple, you will no longer feel stupid! Stay Positive and Stay steady and you’ll move through all the bumps those decisions may bring.







Kim Usry is the Artist and Owner of ClayfulImpressions.net in Brandon, MS. She has been creating keepsakes using your loved one’s hand, feet, and fingers since 2006! Visit her site to view her work and set up your own personal appointment. Become a Fan or “Like” us on Facebook to have access to all that Clayful Impressions has to offer.

New Endeavors!!!

Before Christmas, I sat down with a sweet couple.  They had lost a baby several months back and were pregnant again.  The mother had contacted me through a friend who hosted me in her home to print ceramics and jewelry.  They brought with them every piece they had of little Bryton.  They were lucky enough that the hospital actually printed the child's foot in plaster of paris.  I quickly made copies of all the prints they had.  Most were light and digits were not all there, but overall the nurses did a great job and did several prints for the parents.  Why the hospitals quit using "real" ink for printing newborns, I am not sure.  I remember Michael and I trying to print our first son's feet on a hospital gown for a sweet memory.  The ink would not stick to the gown and my plans were spoiled :)

As my children lay sleeping the parents told me the story of Bryton's birth.  Inside I felt guilty, having three well children and never having experienced this before.  I felt an urge to assist these parents in providing them with the keepsakes they were never allowed to create with this child. 

I was indeed able to lift a pretty good print from the plaster of paris keepsake the nurses gave the parents at the hospital.  Kuddos to whatever nurse took this.  I will never understand how nurses deal with these situations on a daily basis.  It's a tough thing for anyone to experience, especially on a daily or weekly basis.  As emotional as I am, it is amazing that I can hold my composure to print these stillborns.  I am amazed with myself and others that remain non-medicated and can keep from falling apart!  I truly believe God is with me and others during these times.  We all have a heart and compassion for parents who have lost a child, and thanks be to Him for allowing us to help others and do our jobs.

Thanks to Bari Lynn, I have taken on a new adventure!  I am now able to turn these weak and light printed hands and feet into a keepsake for parents to cherish.  A life size ceramic print can be created or jewelry can be created.  All are customized to meet your needs and wants.  I was just so excited I am posting the proofs.  The actual work will be posted as a follow up once I have completed the project.

If you have a need for these services please contact me......if you are not local......these can be scanned in and emailed to me.  A quote will be sent before any work is commenced and you will see a proof like below before any money is transferred!

Jewelry Proof:

Ceramic Proof:

Prints taken from hospital:

Ceramic Ornaments Created for Parents:

Getting into the Rythm!!!

I think I'm finally adjusting to the schedules,rules, and such which begin with Kindergarten.  It was extremely tough at first, but now I'm getting it together and staying on top of everything.  I'm constantly working, and absolutely love every minute of it.  I literally have to make myself stop so my life is in balance.  I'm so grateful to all those who let me print their loved ones and hope that my work continues to go as well as it has been! 

I'm trying to figure a way to make updating my internet pages easier for me, since I have two pages...a personal facebook site for my business and my Business Facebook page...plus my own business website...I wish there was a tool for posting pics to all of them at one time!  Any suggestions PLZZZZZZZZZZ let me know!!!!

Here are some of my recent works:

I'm really proud of this one.  That's my baby :)

Hope you can click on that pic and see the perfect rings on the child's thumb!

See more photos on my facebook page....just search for Clayful Impressions!

Oh, the thumb-sucker's thumb

May look wrinkled and wet

And withered and white as the snow.

But the taste of the thumb

Is the sweetest taste yet

(As only we thumb-suckers know).

-shel silverstein

Back to School!

Kids are getting ready for school and boy am I glad.  I know I'll cry and miss them, but I'm so ready to have some alone time to get some work done!  I've been busy this summer, and I am gearing up for the holidays already :)  New projects are coming in and I love every minute I get to spend working with my metal jewelry and ceramics. 

Newborn Neely with charm "in" necklace!

I really love doing special requests, and hope I can satisfy all my clients.  Most of my business is from repeat customers and word-of-mouth.  Lately, I've been visiting the hospitals more often and love seeing all those newborns!  Here are some pictures of my recent pieces:

I wish I had more time to write and post more pics.  But, I've got to get back to my work!  I absolutely LOVE my job!  Have a great week ya'll!

Keeping Busy this Summer :)

I've enjoyed my time with the kids this summer, and now I'm ready to get back in the saddle again with my work.  As they head to summer school next week, I'm challenging myself to make appointments and start working on some new ideas.  Currently, I've created a silver thumbprint from an ink print a client had sent and that will be off to the family soon!  It was a challenge and I did my best, so I'm proud of the product I created and hope the family loves it too.  Left is the ink jpeg. Right is one of the finished prints.

I think the key to getting a detailed silver print is sending the clearest jpeg possible so that it won't turn out like a "blob" with little definition.  Some of my recent ceramic works have been fun to!  I got to work with a Loving husband who wanted a platter to give his wife for their anniversary.  I also got a return client who was one of my first customers.  I was so glad to see her and her little boy.  Here is the plate I did for Becky this time:

Hoping I'll be posting some pics soon of the Glass Thumbprinting Jewelry!  Have a Great Weekend Everyone!

Some pics of custom pieces I'm proud of ;)

Above:  Actually the "pinky" for a sweet petite pregnant momma!!!