Hard to believe it’s already Christmas Eve?!
It seems like just yesterday that I hung my advent calendar and started adding an ornament each day. And it seems like just a month or two ago that the big quarantine shutdown happened… where did this year go?!!! Sheesh!!!

And expected to get even windier as the day goes on!!! Let’s just say, my morning ride towards the City was tough!!! Some cool clouds & crashing waves… and then the ride back home was AMAZING with an incredible tail-wind!!!

I’ve been working on these pieces for awhile.
And it finally feels GREAT to call them done!

I received a request from a local Chicago customer for a special order last Summer during the shutdown. He owns & runs THE ECCENTRIC CAFE in Kalamazoo, Michigan… a part of Bell’s Brewery. Apparently, the bar has a lot of “visual intrigue”… wonderful collections & things to look at all over the place. In fact, it’s one of the only brewery pubs with NO TELEVISIONS!!!

So the request was that I would make a large “tankard” or stein for his newest collection. I LOVE making mugs… so I was definitely intrigued to tackle them on a much larger scale! He said he was “collecting them” from a few of his favorite potters around the country. So I was HONORED to be chosen to be part of his collection of favorites!!!

The request was that I can make any style, shape or form tankard “in my style”… and they had to hold more than 64-ounces! Knowing that I was going to be soda-firing them, I decided to make a couple extra just in case something goes wrong during the firing… a drip from the ceiling, a splotch of errant soda, or any other random issue that comes up while soda-firing. So here are the three finished pieces seen from both sides. Totally pleased with the finished results… and NO random soda mishaps!!!

Tankard #1 –

Tankard #2 –

Tankard #3 –

As I was making them, I was continually concerned that they wouldn’t be large enough… a minimum of 64-ounces. You know how clay shrinks when it dries… again when it gets bisque fired… and yet again when soda-fired. So I threw them fairly large with the shrinkage in mind… but after each step in the process they kept getting smaller and I kept getting more & more concerned!!! Turns out I was all good… BY FAR!!!… as each of them finished out with a volume of nearly 96-ounces each!!!

When I sent photos of them finished to Larry to choose which one he wanted… I was blown away when he said he loved them and wanted ALL THREE!!! Blown away!!! I was so excited that he loved them so much.

Last night I dropped them off … so nice to complete the commission and pass them off to the client. They will now be on their way to THE ECCENTRIC CAFE in Kalamazoo, Michigan. I can’t wait to see photos of them in “the collection” when they all come together. I know a few of the other potters involved… and it’s sure to be a pretty sweet collection! And then when “things” settle down a bit this summer, I may just need to do a roadtrip to Kalamazoo to see the pottery collection in person!

Apparently the Christmas Carol is correct…
Santa Claus IS indeed coming to town!!!
As I found this little festive cutie in the hallway by the Kid’s Classroom at Lillstreet Art Center!

Doing a little cooking today and it seems I’m getting a little low on my garlic?! Only a few cloves to go before this stamped bowl is empty. Looks like I might be doing some grocery shopping tomorrow, as my breath might be a little stinky tonight… but in the best way possible!

Apparently the latest McDonald’s “concoction” in China is slices of SPAM instead of a burger, topped with crushed OREO’s… and could that possibly be mayo on top of that???!!! So you know I’m a fan of the OREO… but this might have gone a bit too far!!!

But who are we kidding?… given the chance, I’m sure I’d give it a try!!!

Don’t you love when the sun shines in your window and it hits just right?.. making the coolest shadows & patterns. I just wish that sun would have stayed around a bit longer… welcome back to a Wintery day & a Wintery GRAY!!!

So the first mug “snagged” from today’s MUGSHOT MONDAY STUDIO SALE was “The Grinch” mug! And then the new owner got home to find a gift of macarons & tea waiting for her… and her heart grew three sizes that day!

A quick reminder that the MUGSHOT MONDAY SALE continues until 7:00pm in my studio. Lots of great mugs still looking for the forever homes!

Happy Mugshot Monday!!! Don’t forget we’re celebrating today with a grab & go MUGSHOT MONDAY STUDIO SALE!!! The perfect chance to pick-up that last minute gift. Swing by my studio to shop from 130 mugs on the shelves!!!

I’m on the second floor of Lillstreet Art Center at 4401 North Ravenswood in Chicago! I’ll be here selling mugs from noon to 7:00pm… and of course, face masks are required, along with all other safety protocols!

Finish your holiday shopping…
and grab a mug for yourself all at the same time!!!