The first of my Facebook Fans who stop by the booth and give us the code word “JAVA JIVE” will get to pick out their own FREE MUG! The race is on…

And remember, you can always follow Fire When Ready Pottery on Facebook.
Just click here for the link, and then hit the “LIKE” button for quick pottery updates, photos & stories in your News Feed. There’s always more on the blog, but for a “quick fix”… have fun on Facebook.

So we’re set-up and I decided to take a quick photo tour of the park that we’re set-up at for the weekend. Wildlife included. Plus, the sun has popped out for a few minutes! So here’s a quick tour… before the clouds decide to show up again.

But back to the matter at hand… and the clouds that came back in…
So we’re set-up and ready for the customers to come flooding in!!!

And another “bonus” at the Schaumburg art fair, we also get an extra 5-feet on the side of our tents. We’re not jammed tight side-to-side. A little breathing room! So, of course, I need to take advantage of that… and we now have our “Garden Annex” set-up with textured terra cotta planters, stamped flower pots, windowsill herb pots and groovy garden stakes!

It’s early morning and the clouds are still rolling through. But we’re still setting up my art fair booth & hoping for the best. The tent is anchored down and my “assistant” is starting to put the pots out on my shelving. She also “doubles” as my Mom… not only a great help, but she also makes great cookies! There’s a tin of chocolate chip cookies around here somewhere???

With tomorrow being the kick-off of my Summer Art Fair season, I figure it’s perfect timing to share this brilliant video again. Sadly… it’s oh, so true. We’ve all been there. We’ve all seen it. We’ve all suffered through it. And if I’m lucky, maybe it will happen again this weekend. If it does, I’m sure I’ll have a good story to share! One of my favorite lines… “Like real pottery I buy at a store?”

Just promise me that YOU won’t be one of THOSE art fair people!!!

Click here to watch the video : “Potter At An Art Fair.”

It’s hard to believe that we’re already kicking off the Summer Art Fair Season.
What a great way to kick off the Memorial Day Weekend.
With wonderful art & friendly artists all through the park.

Schaumburg Prairie Arts Festival
Saturday, May 25th & Sunday, May 26th
Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center, 201 Schaumburg Court in Schaumburg, Illinois
In the park, around the pond, between Meacham and Roselle Roads.

It’s the perfect chance to see what I’ve been working on over the Winter.
Inventory has been fully replenished with a lot of new pieces. I’ve been busy.
All of them are handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces. Bowls, vases, mugs, planters, tumblers,
salt & pepper shakers and ClayQuilt tiled wall hangings… and much more!!!
I hope that you can make it to Schaumburg this weekend.

I’d love to see you in my usual booth spot… Booth #51 right on the corner!
Keep your fingers crossed for good weather and we’ll see you this weekend…
                                                                                    … and bring your friends!

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And if you can’t make it this weekend… you still have a few more chances…

Hinsdale Fine Arts Festival
Saturday, June 8th & Sunday, June 9th
Burlington Park on Chicago Avenue between Washington & Garfield Streets in Hinsdale, Illinois

Evanston Lakeshore Fine Arts Festival
Saturday, August 3rd & Sunday, August 4th
Dawes Park on Sheridan Road at Church Street along Lake Michigan in Evanston, Illinois

Art In The Barn: Barrington
Saturday, September 28th & Sunday, September 29th
On the grounds (and in the barns) of Good Shepherd Hospital on Route 22 in Barrington, Illinois

“My Home For The Holidays” Home Show
Saturday, November 23rd & Sunday, November 24th
At my place with pottery & handmade pretties in every room of my condo…
as well as my annual “Tired Of Shlepping Sale” on the back porch!

Back to reality… with the kick-off of my summer art fair season just over a week away, I’ve really got to finish labeling & stamping my postcards so they get in the mail today!!!

After three days in Dover, Delaware… it was great to get back home
and find out that I was once again one of the Top Ten Sellers
at “Art In The Barn” last year! Good news to come home to.

Mark your calendar now for “Art In The Barn 2013.”
Saturday, September 28th & Sunday, September 29th, 2013.

Now I need to send in my applications for the rest of my summer art fairs!
It’s always a busy time of the year… trying to make plans for the rest of the year!

Great fun in my mailbox this weekend…
The posters for the St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour are out!!!

Mark your calendars for May 10th, 11th & 12th to make a trip up north
for an incredible weekend of pottery! This year there will be 50 well-known potters
from around the country showing at the seven local studios.

Sure, most of the standard favorites will be there… Bob Briscoe, Matt Metz, Suze Lindsay,
Steven Hill, Sylvie Granatelli, Ellen Shankin, and Delores Fortuna!!! But there are also a
few new faces on the Tour that I’m excited about too! Great artists. Great fun. Great pots!!!

If you’re still looking to check some people off your holiday shopping list,
I’ll be in my studio this Sunday 12/16 from noon-5:00ish
for any last minute shoppers! Be sure to stop by to pick-up some pottery for that
special someone on your list. And a little somethin’ somethin’ for yourself!

Feel free to stop by my studio on the second floor of Lillstreet Art Center.
When you come in the front door, make a quick turn and go up the stairs to Studio 205W.
4401 North Ravenswood, Studio 205 West, Chicago, Illinois 60640.

And then, just a couple blocks north of Lillstreet, you can find even more holiday gift ideas
with “The Chicago Art Girls” and their Holiday Pop-Up Show. Stop by and see jewelry by
Amy Taylor, chain maille by Melissa Banks, fine prints by Judy Zeddes, colorful ceramics
by Nancy Gardner, groovy “recycled” pieces by Melissa Kolbusz… and many more FEMALE
artists!… although I’m still a little annoyed, perplexed & amused by the overtly sexist omission
of any ART GUYS?!!! Maybe next time?…

The Chicago Art Girls Holiday Pop Up Shop – December 15th & 16th, 11:00am-5:00pm.
Helium Gallery – 4710 North Ravenswood, Chicago, Illinois 60640