With the temperatures dramatically dropping into the thirties overnight, I guess it finally “feels” like the right time to start making more wheelthrown holiday ornaments!

Finally a dry morning. Sure, it might have been a bit chilly in the thirties… but I was just happy that the streets & bike trail were dry. So I put on the layers and headed out for a cloudy bike ride. It looked like we were going to be clouded-out of a sunrise… but then, out of nowhere… we got an amazing little sky show under the cloud mass. Wonderful colors as the sun lit-up some of the smaller clouds as they blew by!

And for now this batch of mugs is done. Slowly drying for my next bisque firing… working towards my next soda kiln just a couple weeks away!

Painting colored slip accents & details on my latest batch of mugs!
The color will “magically” transform in the soda kiln firing.

Cylinders trimmed & handles pulled… time to start attaching!
Making more MUGS!!!

After playing in the fog yesterday, I figured I better hunker down and get some work done in the studio today! I mean, it’s still raining outside so I have no diversions, no excuses! So I’m starting with some trimming with my DiamondCore Tools & my fast-spinning Giffin Grip! A perfect studio combo!!!

I’m a firm believer that generally gourds are cooler than pumpkins!
Great colors combinations, funky textures, groovy shapes & squiggly stems… even better when gathered & displayed in a handmade stamped bowl!!!

Another wet morning… as seen through my living room window.

With a forecast of a warm & partly-sunny afternoon, I decided to take the afternoon off to play hooky at the Illinois Beach State Park north of the City. A new adventure destination for me! As I drove further north, the temp started to drop. As I got close to the park an ominous fog covered the sky. The waves were crashing all around but oddly coming coming out of a foggy distance. The colors were beautiful but oddly shrouded in fog… as I pretty much had the entire lakefront park to myself in an isolating fog.

The scenery was AMAZING…
albeit not the warm & partly sunny afternoon by the lake I had expected.

Mimi got a new berry bowl…
and quickly added it to her pottery collection!

Then quickly filled it with strawberries, raspberries & blackberries! And the quickly shared it with me… so I of course will share it with YOU!!! Thanks Sharon.