Well, when I arrived back at the art fair this morning, everything seemed normal from the front of the tent. So I rolled up the front flap and stepped inside. Everything looked good. Everything looked normal. Just where I had left it.

Except… uh oh, what’s that?!!!
Why is the back flap unzipped??? I know I didn’t leave it like that?

The two spikes I put in at the bottom were still in place so it wasn’t opened too far. Nothing was taken… it just looks like someone unzipped the tent flap, reached in and opened my food cooler that I had left there. Nothing but water, Gatorade, bananas, Twizzlers and some granola bars?!!! And they were still all there too?! Huh??? Guess my food wasn’t what the culprit was looking for??? The bill of fare must not have been up to his standards?!!!

As the morning set-up continued, there were a few other tents around me that had been tampered with too. Nothing seemed to be missing. Just moved. Just rearranged. Just some overnight rummaging?!!! Sure, the organizers of the fair set up for overnight security, and I’m sure they were there watching the tents. But the way our tents backed up to each other in a long corridor, I’m sure it was easy for the “invader” to skip from tent to tent in the back while the police watched the fronts.

Regardless, a good reminder that our tents are NOT invincible. And that we all need to be a little more cautious. Over time we get a little relaxed. We were all very lucky that they weren’t there to steal anything of real value, or to ruin any artwork. We were all very lucky… a good reminder for all of us!!!

Every time you go to an art fair, you have your fingers crossed that you’re going to have good “booth neighbors” when you get there. Always hoping for the best. Friendly, fun, upbeat and making good work. It’s going to be a long weekend if you DON’T have good neighbors. No worries this weekend… I have two good ones!

To my left is Maggie McCarthy and her beautiful watercolors. She’s from St. Louis and made the trip up for the show, as well as hanging out with family and beautiful granddaughter. Her work is very impressionistic & calming. Tranquil settings that make you want to be there. Click here to see more of Maggie McCarthy’s watercolor paintings.

To my right is JD Dennison and his intriguingly altered photography. We first me JD two years ago when he was my neighbor at the Evanston Lakeshore Art Fair when my good friend & metalsmith Sarah Chapman decided to bail on Evanston and go up to Minneapolis instead. JD was quick to snatch up the spot. And this year he was back after a one-year hiatus in Evanston. In fact, he actually requested to be my neighbor again!!!

His photography is pretty slick & contemporary. He uses an intriguing technique that he can describe FAR better than I. But in a nutshell, he takes the photos at night with a flash. Then “inverts” the images so the black darkness turns white, and the “flashed” details of the subject matter turn dark. Kinda crazy. Very cool. Click here to see more of JD Dennison’s photography.

So talented are my neighbors that they BOTH received a Blue Ribbon for “Best In Category.” Maggie won for “Best of Watercolors,” and JD won for “Best of Photography.” Congrats to you both… My Talented Art Fair Neighbors!!!

Fresh flowers always make any art fair booth prettier…
and a great way to show how my Wall Pocket Vases actually works.
Just hang it on the wall, add water and flowers. Done… and beautiful.

Not quite 11:00am, but what the heck…
customers are starting to show up already.
So we’re OPEN and ready to sell some pots! Giddy-up!!!

A half hour until we “officially” open…
and I’ve already made my first artist trade!!!
One less cake plate & more rusty metal coming home!!!
Thank you Joanie from Girly Steel.

One of the benefits of the Evanston Lakeshore Arts Festival NOT starting until 11:00am is that I had plenty of time to play on my bike this morning. More fun on the same lakefront, just further south along Monroe Harbor. And now… off to the art fair for final touches before we open!!! Hope to see you there… looks like a beautiful day!

If you’re in the Chicago area this weekend,
be sure to stop by the Evanston Lakeshore Arts Festival.

I’ll be in Booth #65 along Sheridan Road at Clark Street. Both Saturday & Sunday from 11:00am-6:00pm. This year we’re in Centennial Park – just one block north of the usual Dawes Park. It’s a big weekend in Chicago, lots going on…
think of this as POTTTERY-PALOOZA!!!

It’s official. We even have REAL postcards!!!
“Art In The Garden” coming soon to Glenview, Illinois.
Mark your calendars for August 30th & 31st to play with five talented friends.
More details to come…

In the backyard garden of my metalsmith friend Amy Taylor.
“Art In The Garden” : A Grassroots Art Fair
1205 Hutchings Avenue, Glenview, Illinois 60025
Saturday, August 30th – 10:00am-5:00pm
Sunday, August 31st – 10:00am-5:00pm

A great “hands-on” project… Cory is making her pieces, and I’m doing mine!
Mark your calendar for “Art In The Garden” in Glenview on August 30th & 31st.
One-of-a-kind, limited edition collaborations with my friend Cory McCrory!!!

Special thanks to everyone who came out to the Hinsdale Fine Arts Festival this past weekend. We had incredible weather both days surrounded by a lot of talent. It was great to see so many of my loyal customers… and to meet so many Facebook Fans. So much fun to finally put a face with the “Face”book!!!