Tiny textured nuggets… now in fun colors!!!
Can’t wait for “my plan” to come together later this summer…

While I’m in the middle of making my “normal” stamped mugs for a future soda-firing… I need to remind myself that it’s time to make more of these “hybrid” mugs too!!! My collection of carved handrollers from MKM Pottery Tools has recently “doubled” & I can’t wait to try out some of their newest patterns while making more of these wheelthrown & handbuilt combo “hybrid” mugs!

Been busy stamping cylinders again… getting ready for another batch of mugs! My favorite thing to make! Each one stamped with a different clay stamp that I made myself. Handmade mugs need handmade stamps!!!

During the previous class session, my Intermediate Wheelthrowing class saw some amazing ceramic baskets in the Lillstreet Cafe’ Gallery by studio member Jennifer FitzGerald. We had a quick discussion of clay baskets & some basic construction techniques. Then this session, one of my students asked for a class “challenge”… so I suggested we all make our own versions of the baskets they were so enamored by the session before. While I channeled my inner “Mudweaver” while making this basket… my students realized it was a a LOT harder than they thought. While still inspired, none of them finished their baskets by the end of the session!

Be sure to check-out more of Jennifer’s beautiful work & give her a “Follow” on Instagram – @mudweaver_ceramics

Made a few more textured “nuggets” tonight. Watching the finale of The Traitors UK season three… while my nimble fingers keep making more!!! I’ve got a fun little plan for these…

Okay, so THIS was my favorite find in the IKEA clearance section!
I’m not sure it was worth all of their time & re-labeling with a new price sticker…
for a ONE CENT markdown?!!!

Celebrating a little “monochromatic” Mugshot Monday… with this shot from my friend Kelly. The mug, the vase, the plant in the back… a trio of textures all kinda in the same color family!

A cold & rainy Sunday perfect for some repetitive stamping. Decorating another platter with one handmade stamp pressed in one by one… by one… by one…

These large cocoa beans are pretty darn cool at the Chicago Botanic Garden… still growing & ripening in the tree. Right there on the side of the trunk & branches??? And yet I prefer my chocolate processed with sugar added. Keep it “dark” but add some sugar. Thank you very much!

And while the floral beauty was indoors, Spring is in the air & it was perfect for a stroll through the mostly dormant gardens at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Sure, there was still snow on the ground… but that’s just Spring in Chicago! I was just happy to be outside playing in nature again!