Laurel
Herbert
Clay
MUDDY MUSE
Making it I make a wide variety of art,
including ceramic button beads
and pendants; garden art, including
popular magic fairy doors; dinnerware
including java head mugs;
magnets; photo holders; miniatures
and large sculptures; wall art, soap
dishes; plus a large selection of
original designs and paintings. The
clay work starts with raw clay. It
gets formed, fired once, glazed and
fired again. Then depending on the
purpose of the piece, I use various
finishing techniques.
Inspiration
Organic form and nature’s bounty
are constant sources of inspiration
for me. I also enjoy abstract art and
design.
The tricky part
Balancing my time. I often get large
orders, and the creative process
sometimes makes it difficult to stay
focused on the task at hand.
Other gigs
This has been my full time job for
more than eight years, and I recently
started a weekly position as an art
teacher at a private school. I’m also a
busy mom.
Try it yourself
Roll the clay into a dime- or-
quarter-sized ball and squeeze it
flat. Shape it, then add texture.
Find something interesting—a
key or some pretty lace will
do—and press the object into the
clay. Use a coffee straw to make
tiny button holes. Fire, glaze,
then fire again. The best advice
I could give to a fellow crafter is
to follow your heart and let the
creative process take you along
for the journey.
26
WBM november 2011
handmade/clay
Love it, find it, buy it
My work can be found online at
www.muddymuse.com, which
features a link to my Etsy shop.
My work is also available in
gift shops and galleries, including
the River to Sea Gallery,
Caravan Beads, the Blockade
Runner Beach Resort gift shop,
Airlie Gardens gift shop and the
Gourmet Market downtown.
DIY