So tonight in my pottery class it was Kate’s BIRTHDAY! And since we can’t “share” a package of OREO’s anymore during these crazy days… I decided we should be able to celebrate with individual serving packages hermetically sealed & safe for everyone.

So I added candles… got ready for class to surprise her…

Only to find out that Kate didn’t come tonight!!! Mwah, mwah, mwah…
So the real question… do I save them for next week?…
or do I eat them… and do I get some bonus points for at least trying???

Just sharing a little TEXTURE TUESDAY flashback… back to last week when Pam posted this for her Texture Tuesday post! And flashing back even further to wonderful memories of her amazing Northwoods cabin, the beautiful lake, the tranquility, serenity and the fun of leaving behind a handmade ceramic leaf for her to find!!!

So today is the first “official” day of Fall… and it looks like my pal Rosene has already started switching out her pottery collection to reflect the season! Gone are the bright colors of summer… enter the warm colors of Autumn!!!

Dark start to a pastel morning. With a bit of marine layer haze, the sunrise was slow & slightly hidden… but great for early morning reflections in the calm water. The sun eventually worked its way through the low horizon haze, but the quiet pastoral vibe remained.

Huge thanks to Russ and the Service Team at Village Cycle Center for squeezing me in! After missing my standard spring tune-up due to the pandemic shutting everything down, my trusted steed was getting a little less trusted day by day. A little wobble. A little clanking. A lot of annoyance.

But now we’re back!!! Ready to hit road again tomorrow morning!!!
Thanks Team!!!

For class tonight I did a couple demos of throwing plates & platters. For this dinner plate I channeled my inner Steven Showalter… trying out some of his amazing textural slip work! Thanks Steven for being such a great teacher & sharing so much online. Love your work, your techniques & your willingness to share! I just payed it forward!!

Be sure to follow Steven on Instagram – @stevenshowalterpottery

Celebrating another MUGSHOT MONDAY with my latest “favorite” mug… stamped & soda-fired with great colors sparkling in the afternoon sun!

I always love stumbling across some beautiful street art… or in this case, alley art. I found these graffiti murals on the east side of the Red Line train track between Rosemont & Granville. It’s my neighborhood, but I’ve never run across these ones before?!!!

A wonderful message from a “fan” on Instagram…
and a great reminder for another Mugshot Monday!

If you would like to buy yourself a mug… you can always checkout My Online Pottery Store… http://firewhenreadypottery.com/my-online-pottery-store/

Well, I don’t think THIS happens too often?… it’s the first time for me!

One of my cactus has decided to shoot up a long stalk of a flowering stem! Kinda cool… not sure what will happen next. Do they open more like flowers or is this it? Cool enough either way!!!