Tonight in class with my Advanced Beginners, I challenged them to make a single placesetting in one class. Dinner plate. Salad plate. Cereal bowl. Serving bowl. Tumbler. And not just throw them, but also think about how they can “throw with intention” to make their set “go together” visually. Several of them embraced the challenge… while we still have surface decoration, trimming, finishing & glazing to go. But I think my demo is off to a good start!

Last night in class, one of my students returned from a trip Ireland… with yummy souvenirs in tow!!! Even better when I referred to them with my terrible leprechaun impression!

Thanks Tessa… and welcome home!!!

Some crazy-cool fog rolling through the City today… just kinda hangin’ out low through the buildings. Generally there’s a really great view of the skyline from out on Navy Pier… but not today!!! Just a couple brief glimpses of the blue tower designed by Jeanne Gang.

A little early morning throwing. Just a few quick cylinders with a plan in mind.
Another 10×10 challenge… more than ten pieces thrown before 10:00am!!!

At the other end of the day… a strikingly beautiful sunset while I was teaching class tonight. So amazing… that we ran upstairs to take in the view from the Lillstreet rooftop!!!

Another rooftop view… with darker clouds giving a little more sunset drama!

Another sunrise… another morning along the lakefront.
Always the best way to start the day!

Not only did I provide bone dry bowls for my SURFACE DECORATION class while I was gone… but I also left them a package of Birthday OREOs for two of my students. Happy Birthdays Maryanna & Sara!!!

While I was out roadtrippin’ in Minnesota… I left my SURFACE DECORATION class in very capable hands. My friend Catherine Tweedie subbed for me with her “ever-popular” water etching demo. Before leaving town, I provided her with enough bone dry bowls for her demo & for everyone to practice on. From the photos & texts I received… her demo was very well-received. Always my favorite sub teacher… I knew she would knock it out of the park!!! Thanks again Catherine!!!

It was quite a weekend at the ST. CROIX VALLEY POTTERY TOUR. Such beautiful weather to be outside enjoying the Tour, driving from pottery studio to studio. Chatting with the potters, admiring their work & making the tough choices of which pieces might come home with you as souvenirs!!! It was great to run into a few friends & Followers along the way… including catching up with my favorite pottery teacher at Lillstreet so many years ago!!! Not to be a name-dropper… but it was Steve Lee!!!

If you’ve never gone to this pottery tour, you really must add it to your bucket list. It’s hard to fathom how huge this is… with so many tents, so many talented potters… and an endless array of fantastic pottery!!! These photos just show a tiny bit of it… but hopefully you get the idea!

For more information – www.minnesotapotters.com

While on a roadtrip, I love all of the “little stops” along the way… yes, all of those stops that make the drive longer than it needs to be!!! This time it was the “SCENIC OVERLOOK” sign that drew me in… but then… my hopes & dreams were dashed!!! Still beautiful around the sign… but no overlook to be seen!