Not a cloud in the sky this morning. Chilly. Crisp air. Breath you can see.

Good thing I added the full winter gloves this morning. It took me awhile to actually “feel” my fingers after yesterday’s morning ride!

Tonight I loaded another electric bisque kiln. I’m trying to get everything ready for next weekend’s soda firing. So I’ve got a lot of work to do before then… and filling this kiln to fire overnight just gets me one step closer!

Bisque Kiln Layer #1 – mugs, casseroles & ornaments

Bisque Kiln Layer #2 – more mugs, casserole, oil lamps & ornaments

Bisque Kiln Layer #3 – textured wall pillows, ornaments & tiles.

Bisque Kiln Layer #4 – textured wall pillows & ornaments.

Bisque Kiln Layer #5 – more textured wall pillows, more mugs & more ornaments.

And I was pretty pleased when I saw how close I got to the top level of the kiln. You know how I love to pack it tight, and fill every space possible, so as to get the most fired for my money. Nothing bothers me more than a loosely packed kiln with a lot of empty space. Costs the same… packed full or partially empty. I prefer FULL!!!

When was the last time you stopped off at the US Post Office and they told you they were out of stamps?! Out of stamps? Really? Well, apparently my Home Show postcards will need to wait until I “find” stamps somewhere else?

It’s been a beautiful Fall. Love the vibrant colors.
Too bad it’s coming to an end… especially with a weather forecast
of “windy & below freezing” coming our way in the next few days!!!

Okay, so let me start this by saying I don’t eat oysters.
And I had never even heard of “oyster plates.” But when one of my repeat student requested I demo how to make one, I had to consider my options.

So I showed them how to throw this as one piece, with one ball of clay. So it’s kind of a chip & dip bowl, but this time I bent up the edges of the plate so as to give the oyster shells somewhere to “land” as the plate is served. My students seemed to like it as though I succeeded with my Demo-On-Demand.

And sure, it’s a little squishy right now… but I’ll do some touch-ups and detailing when they set-up a bit. Maybe tomorrow evening?! It’s under plastic right now overnight.

So I’m back from Dallas… and back into the grayness of another cold Chicago morning.
Still felt pretty good to be back on my bike… and back in the warm layers!!!

Here’s the third batch of textured pillow tiles… the smallest size of the three. My goal is to have the three sizes so people can pick & choose and create their own “constellations” to hang on their walls. But the BIG question is… What to call them??? The “working title” has been “Textured Wall Pillows.” But I’d like to come up with something a bit catchier. Any suggestions?!

After a whirlwind “glitter gig” in Dallas, I’m headed back home just a mere 26 hours after leaving home yesterday. Fly in, decorate, fly home. Good thing I can sleep on the plane!

Good thing I woke up in time to snap a couple quick pictures. High flying over the clouds with clear blue skies. Unfortunately, the skies weren’t quite so blue when below the clouds. At least we got a nice “fly-by” view of downtown Chicago as were preparing to land at Midway Airport.

A little “Christmas magic” overnight in Dallas… and now we’re headed home!

Here we go… another quick “overnighter.”
This time I’m headed both south AND west!!!

Do you think I should be concerned that the kid in the middle seat next to me has already pulled out his own personal “survival kit”???