We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa Willard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
Quality is the best business plan! -John Lasseter

ClayMpressions strives to create beautiful professional ceramic keepsakes of your children, that will last a lifetime. We help preserve your memories. Quality is important because these precious keepsakes become family heirlooms.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
ClayMpressions preserves your memories. We specialize in ceramic handprints/footprints of children. We do plates, ornaments, family designs, and paw prints. Our quality of product is what sets us apart from others. I’m most proud of my original designs such as my apple plate. I started this business because I have always been a sentimental person that held onto special things. Initially I had this idea to create keepsakes based on items I would like to display in my own home. Going from that idea to actually having a business, however is not easy. I did not have a traditional ceramics or art background. With the help of an old friend and hundreds of hours of reading and practicing I learned a lot. Clay can be super temperamental. A little mistake in the drying or the firing can result in a ruined piece. So the beginning was months of trial and error before I ever tried to get my first customer. Along the way, I’ve learned that people love genuineness. Just like me they are looking for ways to hold onto how little their children once were. For me it’s not about the money – it’s about helping families create heirlooms that tell part of their family story that is unique and special.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Rise soufflé in Dallas off Inwood Celebration restaurant off Lovers
Perot Museum
Cowboy Game/Stars/Rangers
Star in Frisco
Loro Asian Smokehouse
Le Bilboquet
Northpark Mall
Historic Downtown Mckinney
Emporium Pies
Hutchins BBQ
Legacy West/Shops at Legacy
Dallas Arboretum
Highland Park Village shopping
Fachini
Hudson House Restaurant
Salum Restaurant
Restoration Hardware Restaurant
Village Baking Co
Dallas Aquarium
Grandscape Wheel
Top Golf
Gaylord Hotel
Deep Ellum

Dallas is a wonderful vibrant city with so many amazing things to do. Shopping is amazing. Some of the best diverse restaurants in the country. A city full of amazing things for children. Listed above are options.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband Lane is my number one supporter. His encouragement and expertise mean so much to me. He’s also my webmaster. I love you!

This beautiful song is what my business is all about. But instead of a photograph, I’m offering my keepsakes for families to remember their memories.

Bookends by Simon & Garfunkel

Time it was,
And what a time it was
It was . . .
A time of innocence
A time of confidences

Long ago . . . it must be . . .
I have a photograph
Preserve your memories
They’re all that’s left you

Website: http://claympressions.net/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/claympressions?utm_medium=copy_link

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/pg/ClayMpressions-103865647888438/posts/

Image Credits
Images belong to ClayMpressions

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