The soda kiln has been on for a couple hours now… still warming up.
The kiln is packed tight… so it’s gonna be a long day!!! Fingers crossed….

A little last-minute glaze spraying… just some tenmoku fun
before loading my soda kiln tonight!!!

It’s gonna get hot in there… gotta see where we’re at!!! My cone packs are ready for this weekend’s soda firing… well, two for this kiln & two for the next! Each cone melts at a different temperature… so I’ll be watching them go down throughout the day tomorrow as I fire the kiln. Pull out a brick, take a quick peek & put the brick back in! Very hi-tech, huh???

clouded start to what looks like a warm & sweaty day to come!

Over my last two art fairs, I’ve had a lot of people asking about the hybrid mugs that I showed making a few weeks back… the ones using my new handrollers from MKM Pottery Tools with the coneflower pattern. Unfortunately, they haven’t made it through the soda firing yet. But with so many people asking… I think I need to make MORE hybrid mugs! This time ALL with coneflowers!!!

Okay… so entire POTTERY TOUR weekend was not perfect! Friday afternoon was not so great for me!!!

THIS happened on my drive out to Sandwich with all of my stuff!!!
On the entrance ramp from the Kennedy to 294 South…
on the side of the road by O’Hare!!! Fun, huh???

And realize … my car looks like this all packed up!!! And where is the spare tire???

Yep… you got it… UNDER ALL OF THAT!!!

So picture me on the side of the expressway unpacking my car… all over the side of the road… like a big garage sale!!! ugh. Luckily, I knew how to fix it… so I did my best. Passenger rear… so the side with the traffic flying by!!! And then packed it all back in!!!

However… who knew the real tire doesn’t fit in the same space as the spare tire?!!! So the only place it would fit was ON TOP with the other stuff?!!! Even more like the Beverly Hillbillies!!!

Not a good start. Luckily, Cory’s son Aidan took it to be fixed
on Saturday for me during the show!!!

Aidan to the rescue!!!

Not only did we have a lot of great pottery at the Sandwich stop this weekend… but we also had a “Pottery Princess.” Our host Cory’s granddaughter Ivy was all dolled-up for the day. And making great notes for us to drop in our customers bags on Sunday! The cutest!!!

And unbeknownst to me… the “Pottery Princess” also transformed into the best little helper when it was time to pack-all of my stuff. She listened well, packed with care & had a great time helping me!!!

Thanks Ivy!!!

A very special THANK YOU to everyone who came out for the NORTHERN ILLINOIS POTTERY TOUR this weekend. I know all of artists at the Sandwich location appreciated everyone who made the trek out to the country to see some pottery! We loved seeing all of you! Thanks to all the pottery-lovers out there that keep this event growing year after year. And if you didn’t make it this year… start planning now for next year!!!

A beautiful morning start for Day Two of the NORTHERN ILLINOIS POTTERY TOUR. We started with homemade scones & quiches… and then moved on to the task at hand. Chatting & selling pottery! Swipe through for a quick tour of pottery by the seven ceramic artists at the Sandwich stop… Cory, Jessica, Laura, Natalie, Tanvvi, Andryea & me!!!

Our talented host CORY McCRORY
“Cory grew up at the foot of a sewing machine. Everyday she would watch her mother break down design ideas into pattern pieces that fit together into 3d creations. Cory embraces this method of creation to hand build her functional and playful ceramics.“

JESSICA DOUGHERTY
“Jessica Dougherty creates functional and decorative pottery inspired by the beauty of botanicals. Her forms and surfaces reflect nature’s textures and movement, blending artistry with everyday use. Each piece invites connection—to nature, to the handmade, and to the quiet moments in daily rituals.”

LAURA WILLIAMS
“Laura Williams (they/she) is a Chicago based ceramic artist and educator whose work centers material, process, narrative, and play. Laura makes their work in their home studio in Humboldt Park and teaches ceramics locally at Made Chicago, The Digs, and Lillstreet Art Center.”

NATALIE STEINMETZ
“Natalie has been working with clay for over 35 years making both functional and sculptural work. Her most recent monster series represents the journey through trauma and grief to hope and healing. Natalie’s work captures both struggle and celebration – and her unique perspective resonates with collectors nationwide who find it featured in galleries and exhibitions.”

TANVVI AGARRWAL
“Tanvvi meticulously crafts each pot with a commitment to beauty, functionality, and longevity. She believes in creating pottery that not only captivates the eye but also stands the test of time, meant to be cherished and used for years to come. With every firing, Tanvvi strives to capture the vivid colors, dynamic ash patterns, and individuality that make each piece truly one-of-a-kind.”

ANDRYEA NATKIN
“Andryea aspires to illustrate the intersection between the conscious and unconscious. She produces hand built organic forms where nothing is perfect. Each piece possesses a life and personality of its own. Surfaces are embellished with her visual vocabulary with a limited palette. An aesthetic meditation emerges; giving the viewer permission to connect to something deep within themselves.”

And me!!!
GARY JACKSON
“For Gary, working in clay is very satisfying and helps bring out his inner child – like making mud pies with a purpose. As his craftsmanship has improved and his personal style became more apparent, he was drawn to his tactile nature and his interest in natural repetition & textural patterns.”

Opening my tent this morning… after the overnight rains. Freshly washed tent with great patterns illuminated on the top. Now it’s time to re-stock & re-arrange for Day Two of the NORTHERN ILLINOIS POTTERY TOUR!!! Looks like another beautiful day… c’mon out to the country!!!