Fabulous Sponsor Feature AND GIVEAWAY!: Clay Space

For today's Fabulous Sponsor Feature, I am happy to introduce you all to Charlie, the super talented and crazy-smart creator behind Clay Space! She cleverly merges her artistic talent with her Aerospace background and produces some adorable ceramic treasures. Read on to learn more about her, and be sure to check out the GIVEAWAY below to score a gorgeous handmade necklace!

Hello! Please introduce yourself and tell us how you came up with your shop name.

Hi everyone, I am Charlie, the creative mind behind Clay Space.  During the day I am an Aerospace Engineer and when I have free time (which is becoming increasingly more difficult to find) I create all kinds of things with clay. The name Clay Space is a play on words, stemming from the fact that my creations are clay and that I work in the space industry. Not too terribly exciting I suppose, but it does sound sort of like play space which is really what I am doing.

What led you to create the products that you create? How did you get started?

When I was in college, I discovered I needed a creative outlet from all of my mundane engineering work and stumbled into a ceramic studio.  I quickly found myself spending all of my free time in there. Once college was complete I moved to the southwest where pottery is quite the past time, acquired a very large used kiln for $125.  Next thing you know I am off creating things for my wedding, from which I came back with nothing but “Have you ever considered selling this stuff?” After bit of contemplation, I decided why not.

What is a typical day like for you?

Well I begrudgingly wake up early (I am definitely not a morning person) to go to my day job as an engineer and come home 9 hours later.  Really the magic happens once my 13 month old goes to sleep!  I typically get together pieces that will use the same colors and start creating…On the weekends I generally fire the kilns, followed by the photographing, copywriting, and posting. 

What has been the biggest business challenge for you so far?

Time! I have a ton of ideas floating around but I really just don’t have the time to implement them all.

What has been the best highlight?

When I customer comes back and tells me how much they love my product.  I also really enjoy wholesale projects; it’s a great feeling knowing that your product will make it into so many homes.


Do you have a favorite product that you create? If so, what is it and why?

I think my custom signature platters are possibly my favorite.  I love the challenge that comes with custom work and more so, I love knowing that the plate is going to become a sentimental but very practical piece to whoever receives it.

When you're not creating/blogging/being a creative genius, what do you like to do?

My number one past time is spending time with my 13 month old son and usually we are outside.  The family also tends to get involved heavily in home improvement projects to the point where it feels like our house is always under construction. Lastly, we are travel addicts so we spend a lot of time exploring new places. 

List five of your favorite blogs and/or etsy shops:

Pure 2 Raw - http://www.pure2raw.com/ - A great place to find yummy treats if you have dietary constraints.

Art Biz Blog - http://www.artbizblog.com/ - Practical information for an artist

Brain Pickings - http://www.brainpickings.org/ - A blog for the curious mind

C.R.A.F.T. - http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com – Craft ideas for all kinds

Pinterest – http://pinterest.com - Does that count? There are just so many great ideas on there!

What can we look forward to in the future from you and your biz?

Just more creations I suppose.  I create whatever inspires me at the time.  I am planning to open a Brick and Mortar shop in New Mexico with a bit of a different twist.  You won’t really be able to purchase my creations there but I will be guiding you with creating your own. 
  
Where can we find you on the interwebs?

Blog/Website – http://clay-space.com

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/#!/505ClaySpace

Twitter – @505ClaySpace

Shop (for now but will soon be moving to my website) – http://cnjceramics.etsy.com

**** And now for the giveaway! ****

Who says natural can't be beautiful??

This necklace features a clay leaf that is approximately 2" in length.  The leaf was glazed a mellow green.  The necklace is also adorned with two additional brass leafs to complete this trio of leaves pendant.  The necklace measures 18" in length and uses a lobster clasp closure.

This beautiful necklace can be yours for FREE!!

Simply follow the super easy steps to enter the giveaway and you could be the new owner of a gorgeous, handmade piece of jewelry courtesy of Clay Space!

How to Enter:

Mandatory:

• Visit the Clay Space blog here and subscribe and/or "Like" Clay Space on facebook here. Be sure to leave a friendly message on her wall and tell her MoKoPo sent you :)
• Follow this MoKoPo website (on the right sidebar, find "Follow Me" or "Follow by Email") and/or "Like" MoKoPo on Facebook here.
• Please leave a separate comment below letting me know what you did to enter!

Optional: 

• For extra entries blog, tweet, and/or facebook about this giveaway!
• You will earn one additional entry per extra, and be sure to comment and let us you know what you did
• Feel free to use these little messages to help spread the word: 

FACEBOOK:  

I'm SO excited that MoKoPo is giving away a gorgeous handmade necklace from Clay Space! I hope I win! Check it out here: http://bit.ly/uQvq6H

TWITTER:

Eeee! I hope I win this gorgeous necklace from @505ClaySpace in the @MoKoPoCreations Giveaway! http://bit.ly/uQvq6H

Giveaway ends on Friday December 23rd at 6pm EST
Winner will be chosen via random selection on Friday evening and announced on Saturday, December 24th (Christmas Eve) via blog post!


Have fun and good luck!!