So I got an e-mail today. One of many really. But one of them was special…
From the folks who organize “Art In The Barn” every Fall.
And I was pleased to find out that once again, I was one of their “Top 10 Sellers”!
Yep, last September was another great art fair for me in Barrington.
Incredible weather… great sales… and did I mention incredible milk shakes.
Plus, fantastic supportive customers & fans who come out art fair after art fair!

Not only did I win the “Best Of Ceramics” award during the show,
but now I find out that I was also one of the “Top 10 Sellers” again this year!

And my prize?…
Pre-acceptance, no jury process and a complimentary double booth space!!!
So I’ll definitely be headed back to Barrington this Fall.

Mark your calendars…
Saturday, September 22nd & Sunday, September 23rd.

Now I’ve got to spend some quality time tomorrow applying to the rest of them!
I wish it were this easy for all of my shows!

I received an e-mail today telling me that a customer has requested a “chargeback”
on a purchase from last October!!! What?!… how does that happen?!
The folks at The Square notified me to see if I wanted to dispute the “charge-back.”
They’ve already taken the money out of my account – and I need to dispute it if I expect
to get the money back. Of course I said yes… let’s dispute!!!

The customer purchased $110.78 during “ART DETOUR” way back on October 8, 2011.
One wall pocket vase & three votive candle holders. She picked what she wanted & seemed
pleased with her purchase. I have not heard anything from her since. Until today.

So I sent the folks at The Square a couple photos of the actual credit card slip to “prove”
that she signed for the charge, as well as furnished her phone number.

I still don’t quite understand how she can have her pottery for over three months
and then try to get her money back?! So she gets her money and I get nothing?!
I didn’t see anywhere that I would get my pottery back. It all seems a little odd to me!

Has anyone else had a situation similar to this with The Square?!

Today is “MUD & METAL”- the final Holiday Home Show of the season.
The weather is great and we’re ready for some last-minute holiday shoppers!
There’s pottery in every room of my condo, plus this time – a special guest artist!
Sarah Chapman has just finished setting up her beautiful jewelry in my dining room
and her work is literally glowing in the sunlight streaming in through the windows!

I especially love how the sun is making all of the inclusions in that amber pendant
reflect and sparkle. If no one else snags it, someday it may need to join my “collection.”
And the incredible shadows being cast across her display on some of her beautiful
wire-knotted pieces. This necklace looks incredible!

So stop on by to see Sarah’s incredible work… while the sun is still shining!

With less than twelve hours until we open, I’m still stocking shelves… and more importantly,
adding more pieces to the “Tired Of Shlepping” bargain shelves. Marking down even more
to make room for new pieces in the New Year! Swing by tomorrow from 10:00am-6:00pm
to snag a few of these bargains before they’re gone!

MUD & METAL – Another Holiday Home Show
Saturday, December 10 from 10:00am-6:00pm… ONE DAY ONLY.
With special guest artist & incredible metalsmith Sarah Chapman.
With pottery in every room, jewelry in the dining room, snacks in the kitchen…
and the “Shlepping” bargains on the back porch!

If you need my home address information, shoot me a quick e-mail…
gary@firewhenreadypottery.com

I woke up this morning to Chicago’s first snowfall. Everything was white.
Alas, no morning sunrise bike ride for me. Instead, I used the time to assemble three
new ClayQuilts just in time for tomorrow’s “MUD & METAL” Holiday Home Show!

Just for the record, all of the snow melted within a couple hours.
But it was white when I woke up… I swear!

Last night I stopped by the “Ceramics Showcase” at McGaw YMCA in Evanston.
A couple of “My Talented Friends” were showing there, so I wanted to swing by before
heading back to Lillstreet for our annual Holiday Opening Party. All of the work in the
Showcase was quite nice, but of course, I’m just a little partial to my friends Cory McCrory,
Roberta Polfus & Delores Fortuna! So I just “had to” add to my collection…

First a couple new things from Cory. An adorable red hat kid which is actually a jar.
The hat comes off to reveal a bright orange interior! And you know how I love orange!

Speaking of orange… I also got another mug from Cory while I was there. I’ve always been
drawn to her sense of color & whimsy. Plus the textures & patterns ain’t too shabby either!

And then, as if I don’t already have too many ornaments on my Christmas tree, I needed to
get another one from Cory. The white bird will get added tot he tree. The black bird will
take up year-round residence elsewhere! You’ll need to come find it!

And another textured, porcelain vessel by Roberta. Such fine detail and carving! Love it.

And a groovy plate by Delores! Great pattern & design… plus a really cool “lip” or rim
of the late that curls over slightly. To help get all of those peas onto your fork!

It was another busy night of art. This Ceramics Showcase and the Lillstreet Holiday Opening.
Of you have a chance, stop by either one, or both, today or tomorrow!

Ceramics Showcase is at the McGaw YMCA at 1000 Grove Street, Evanston, Illinois
Lillstreet Art Center is at 4401 North Ravenswood (at Montrose), Chicago, Illinois

Tonight I played with my friend Nancy at the opening of the “One Of A Kind Show”
in Chicago! The fun continues through the weekend at the Merchandise Mart.
Great art & great friends. Stop by and say hello to some of “My Talented Friends”…

Sarah Chapman – metalsmith – booth 2118
Karla Wheeler – metalsmith – booth 3077
Brad Pogatetz – photography – booth 1104
Melissa Banks – chain maille – booth 2107
Rebecca Zemans – metalsmith – booth 7087
Rebeca Mojica – chain maille – booth 3030A
Dobrila Pintar – glass beads – booth 6EP

Plus, a few other “new favorites” that you need to check out while you’re there!

Jim & Victoria Mullen – mixed media bird sculptures – booth 5095
Vintage Sculpture – found object sculptures – booth 3056C
Joe Christensen Pottery – large stoneware vessels – booth 5113
Anne Gary – crystaline porcelain pottery – booth 1068
Kevin Lahvic – whimsical paintings – booth 1086
Timber Green Woods – modern woodwork – booth 2110

A lot of beautiful work. Plan on spending a good bit of time browsing!

Thanks again to everyone who came to “My Home For The Holidays” Home Show.
And if you were one of the ones who missed it… you’re going to get another chance!
Plus, it’s perfect timing just to finish off your holiday gift list!!!

“Mud & Metal” : Another Holiday Home Show
Saturday, December 10th from 10:00am-6:00pm

And joining me again this year… as the “metal” part of the title… is my friend and
master metalsmith Sarah Chapman. My place will be filled with pottery in most of the rooms,
and Sarah will take over the dining room with her work.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 10th… just two weeks before Christmas!!!
More details to come…

For those of you who couldn’t quite make it over this weekend,
here’s a quick glimpse at what you missed…

Here’s a HUGE thank you to all of my loyal friends & customers who stopped by
this weekend at my Holiday Home Show. Whether shopping for everyone on your list,
or just hanging out on my sofa, it was so great to see all of you at my place!
So many friendly faces. So many happy shoppers.

Thank you all for always being there, and being so supportive every time!
I couldn’t continue this adventure without your support & encouragement.