The first stop on our afternoon adventure was a trip to Northern Clay Center in Minneapolis. Much like Lillstreet, they’ve got a gallery of ceramics, classrooms, artist studios and a lot of fun for everyone. Sarah, Pam and I were excited to get our shopping on!

Inside, we got our shopping on. Not only were there a lot of great ceramic artists represented in their retail sales area, bit there was also a great show in their Main Gallery. It was a collaboration show where one artist made the pieces, and then had other artists do the glazing in their own styles. Very cool. Makes me think that I need to some more collaboration projects in the near future. After the Gallery show, we toured the studios and the classroom facilities. It was Pam’s first time to Northern Clay Center so she was excited to see it all.

Anyway, we ended back in the retail space and we started getting down to business. After looking at all of the pottery, the sales associate told us we could open all of the cabinets and “shop” from there too. And then he said there were still some pots left from the American Pottery Festival in the back room… so we shopped in there too! So much fun! So many pots!!!

After looking at all of the pots, I had to start narrowing it down. I finally landed on three different mugs that caught my attention. The latest additions to my ever-expanding “Mug Collection.” The first one was made by Kenyon Hansen… who seems to be the latest “golden child” of the pottery world. He’s been all over Ceramics Monthly and creating quite a stir with his wonderful forms, surface treatments and glazed textures.

My second choice was a stunningly refined cup by Kyla Toomey. I’m been coveting these for about a year now every time I see them in the Lillstreet Gallery. This time, I found this sweet one glazed in a very light green celadon glaze. I love how these are created, cut, popped and refined… I’m not quite sure how she makes them. But I;m very glad that she does!!!

This last one is actually the first one that caught my attention! At first glaze it’s just a pretty normal, functional mug by Birdie Boone. Nice shape. Nice glaze. Nothing too extravagant. But then when you touch it… watch out!!! The bottom of the mug is rounded off with no foot ring… so it rocks! Literally!!! It rocks back & forth… and I fell in love instantly!

Please take a second to check out their work on their websites. Simply click on their names above the photos, or go to the “Links” section and click on their names there. You’ll go right to their websites to see more of their incredible work!

So I made it up to Minneapolis… for a really quick get-away with friends!
And a new furry friend named Roscoe!!!

Yes, I’m up in Minneapolis visiting my friends Sarah Chapman & Julie Wight. You know… Sarah who’s been making fantastic holiday ornaments every month this year as part of the Holiday Ornament Challenge!!! And then our mutual friend Pam Robinson is in town for a conference planning meeting, so figured we should all meet up for a day of fun! Anyway, we decided to throw together a quick get-away adventure for me… a great excuse to celebrate my birthday & Julie’s birthday too!!! Anyway, when I got there, I got to meet the new puppy – Roscoe. Adorable!!!

Then we took the party outside where we played with potter Emily Murphy and her cutey-patootie daughter Ada. Although Roscoe was more interested in the dried leaves… and the pet bunnies in the cage next door!

After some fun in the yard, we decided we should go out and play around town in Minneapolis. Unfortunately, Julie had to stay behind to do some studying… and to watch little Roscoe!!!

Ahhh…. a girl and her dog.. Adorable. Both of them.

Let today’s whirlwind adventure begin… although I’m not really headed South or West?!!!

My adorable 8-year old niece Taylor apparently lost another tooth today.
And she decided on her own to write a letter to the Tooth Fairy… which might just be
the cutest thing EVER!!! Seriously… I mean EVER!!!

Who knew we could make it to 1,300 Fans so quickly?!
Well not me. When I checked my Facebook page this morning we had already surpassed my goal of thirteen hundred Fans. Which means we made it in a couple hours!!! WOW!!!

Thanks to everyone for spreading the word. Well done team!

After an incredible cloudy sky show yesterday morning… today was quite different.

We’re so close…   We only need ten more Fans to make 1,300!!!
Any chance we can make it happen by the 13th?! Wouldn’t that be groovy?!
Thirteen hundred by the Thirteenth!!

Click here to go straight to my Fire When Ready Pottery Facebook Page.
And then be sure to hit “LIKE”…
and then SHARE with your other Facebook Friends! Spread the word!!!

The 2013 Student Member Show opened today in the Lillstreet Gallery.
And while I’m not part of the show, it’s great fun for me to see so many
of my previous students & friends in the show. A lot of great pottery, sculpture,
jewelry & paintings by a lot of great artists. The show only runs for a week…
so hurry in today!

This morning had clouds. Lots of clouds. Layers of clouds.

Those layers were slow starting.
But once they started lighting up… they were magical.

And with a morning temperature of 64 degrees…
I had to pile on a few extra layers as well… Jacket. Hat. Pants. Gloves. Etc.
I guess Summer is officially over…. brrrrr…

There’s a great new photography exhibit going on downtown these days.
Located on the plaza of North Riverside… just west of the Lyric Opera House.
“Butterflies & Buffalo: Tales of American Culture”

The first thing that strikes you is the HUGE camera sitting there on the plaza. Turns out, it is indeed the largest camera ever! So big that it actually rolls into & travels in a full semi-truck! Created by photographer Dennis Manarchy to capture cultures all across the country. This traveling photo exhibit is actually a truly functioning camera, using 4.5′ x 6′ film, which will be crossing the country to capture images & cultures from a truly personal vantage point. Up close & personal. Oversized prints from oversized negatives to capture every detail of every culture. The photography project is being timed to coordinate with the 200th anniversary of the invention of the camera. At the end of the traveling tour, the camera & images will be donated to the Smithsonian Institute in 2014.

From the website of Dennis Manarchy:
Unknown legacies lie among us.  Rich cultural heritage and folklore quietly resonate within our landscapes. The United States is the most ethnically diverse nation in the world, yet we have struggled to find commonality in our differences, and in our rapid daily quest to achieve the ‘American Dream’, we have lost touch with our roots. Now is a pivotal time.

Symbolic of our fragile surviving cultures and the enduring strength of the American spirit, “Butterflies & Buffalo” will forever preserve our nation’s dynamic cultural history through the largest film camera in the world and a 20,000-mile nationwide documentary journey. The magnificence of over 50 cultures will be captured and shared with the public to commemorate extraordinary people from all walks of life. Join us on this amazing journey. 

Click here to see more about this incredible photography project.

Have you EVER seen a larger camera lens?!

Here’s the centerpiece of the exhibit. A large portrait emblazoned on the side of the wall overlooking the plaza, the Chicago River and the back side of the Chicago Lyric Opera House.

More of the photos by Dennis Manarchy posted on the side of the building…

Here are a few of the stunning examples that are traveling along with the camera. Huge enlargements with incredible details. Each photo capturing the true personality & essence of the subject.

And my personal favorite… don’t you just want to be her friend?! She’s gotta be fun!!!

Don’t forget to click here for a video about this fantastic photography project!!!