Always a great day when THIS arrives in my mailbox!!!

After two years of pandemic virtual tours, it’s so exciting to see that the St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour will once again be going live & in-person this Spring. So much fun to see so much beautiful pottery over the course of a weekend… driving from studio location to studio location… chatting with over 60 talented potters… picking up a few pieces for my own collection along the way… and forever daydreaming that I might one day be invited to be part of the “Pottery Tour” instead of just a patron! Dare to dream, right…

Looking at the latest batch of fresh postcards from THE POSTCARD CLUB. Featuring Seattle-based photographer Connor Surdi. Always fun to figure out who’s going to get a little fun from me in the mail next?!

Words to live by… WASH THE PLATE!
Especially when one of those plates is that handmade stamped green platter hidden in the far back corner!!!

Handpainted signage by my friend Merryn… a young design student & daughter of my college friends! Feel free to follow her artistic adventures on Instagram – @merryncreates

Always fun when your “friends worlds” collide!!! Like my friend Pam who has been using my friend Cory McCrory’s textured mug in her car… ‘cuz it’s cool… and ‘cuz it fits so well in the cup holder of Pam’s new car!!

So fun to have my potter-friend Mike Stumbras stop by my little Mug Sale today with some of his family! They got a quick tour of Lillstreet… and a couple new mugs… and I got a beautiful porcelain cup from Mikey! Lots of twists, slip trailing & gold lustre! If you’re not following Mike on Instagram… you definitely should be!!!

Beautiful pottery, incredible craftsmanship, historical references & plenty of videos & tutorials. Be sure to check him out. … @mikestumbras

Not only did Mary Foster and I have a nice “collaboration” chat, I also left her place with a tasty collection of homemade Christmas cookies!

She paints AND bakes cookies too!!!

Just dropped off two new soda-fired frames with my friend & painter Mary Foster… just finishing up one last Christmas collaboration commission before the holidays! We’ve done several “pottery & painting” collaboration pieces this year… and already discussing next year!

Considering some new options… and not to give anything away,
but I’ll give you two words… WOOD… CUT…. fingers crossed…

And here’s a little of “the metal” from MUD & METAL.
Some of Amy Taylor’s beautiful hinged silver jewelry with cool gemstones. We’ve got plenty of pottery & jewelry for everyone on your holiday shopping list today… including yourself!!! We’re open until 6:00pm… and bring a friend!

Tomorrow’s the big day! The kick-off of this weekend’s MUD & METAL Holiday Home Show! We’re open Saturday & Sunday from 10:00am-6:00pm with plenty of pottery & jewelry for everyone on your holiday gift list. Swing by to do a little holiday shopping, to enjoy some holiday cheer… or to just sit on my comfy sofa to hang out with us for awhile! Remember, we’re staying safe with face masks & social-distancing even if you’re vaccinated!

The newest addition to my “already-overflowing” Mug Collection… this time from another Chicago-area potter! A sweet little handbuilt mug with raised textures & patterns by Ben Buchenot. If you come down to the ONE OF A KIND SHOW today, be sure to check out his work in Booth #5124.

Check him out on Instagram : @throwinpots