HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Randal, Fred and the rest of The Rogue Potters on getting a new sign… now looking so “legit” and official. Hard to believe it’s already twelve years since I met the “merry band of Rogue Potters” during the Minnesota Pottery Tour… not an official tour stop, but a great add-on with clever signage on the highway! A talented group of potters… so glad I’ve been able to be part of their journey! The sign looks great guys!!!

Over the course of the week, my Summer Campers also memorized over 50 famous artists & sculptors… first AND last names!!! Sure, we’ve all seen the bronze lions in front of the Art Institute… but who made them??? The Bean? The Statue of Liberty? My campers know them all!!!

So on Friday we did a big game of “Memory” using my famous artist flashcards… 130 cards to match-up with their new art history knowledge all in the guise of a fun game!!!

I love when your “friend-worlds” collide! Like earlier today when my good college friend Kelly & her mom Mimi met up with my pottery friend Cory McCrory during an art fair at the Vrooman Mansion in Bloomington! I know Kelly has been an online “fan” of Cory’s work for several years… so this “friends-collision” makes me very happy! Plus, it looks like a few purchases were made too… which also makes me happy!!! Fun pottery for everyone!

A few years ago, I went to Colfax with friends to meet sculptor Robert Cumpston at his home & tour his workshop. That was when I was “introduced” to his work… basically building life-sized animals out of rusty farm machinery parts & pieces… and you know how I LOVE rusty metal. \

While I now have quite a Cumpston collection at home, I thought I would pedal through “downtown” Colfax (one street, maybe a dozen buildings?) to see more of his work as I had heard that after his passing, a few of his pieces were donated to the town of Colfax to honor one of their most talented residents. I was hoping for more… as I only found a giraffe and a greyhound!

I “behaved” the whole weekend… until I saw Kenyon’s cups and I just had to have one!!! I think I must have touched them all at least twelve times… narrowing it down slowly… until I finally decided that THIS ONE was the one that “had to” come home with me! Crazy cool design, patterns, glazes & soda-fired effects. Well done Kenyon… and THANK YOU!!! It was great hanging with you guys all weekend in Sandwich!

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who came out to Sandwich this weekend for the first in-person NORTHERN ILLINOIS POTTERY TOUR! It was so much fun seeing everyone celebrating pottery & appreciating handmade wares! Great fun hanging out with some talented potters all weekend as well… Cory, Kenyon, Lindsey, Linda & Nancy (errr… Burt)!

Another huge THANK YOU to my talented friend Cory McCrory for hosting us at her studio location in Sandwich! She made it such a wonderful event for all of her guest artists. So thoughtful, so welcoming, so appreciated! You’re the best Cory!!!

Whimsical illustrations with kind of a groovy retro vibe by Nancy Gardner…another one of the potters at the Sandwich location of the NORTHERN ILLINOIS POTTERY TOUR.

Our pottery tour host Cory McCrory has a line-up mugs standing at the ready… and lots of other amazing pots in her tent! All ready for another day of pottery fun!

We’re now just 40-hours away from the kick-off of NORTHERN ILLINOIS POTTERY TOUR… not that I’m counting… but just a quick reminder, and a fun map to help you find all of the Pottery Tour locations! From west to east the tour would be Sandwich, Aurora, Villa Park & Chicago. I will be at the Sandwich location at my friend Cory McCrory’s studio, along with four other talented potters!

For complete details… www.northernilpotterytour.com

Stop by the Sandwich location of the NORTHERN ILLINOIS POTTERY TOUR this weekend… we’ve got the most to see... the only studio stop with SIX potters!!!

For details & locations… www.northernilpotterytour.com