Just got home from a wonderful “post-Christmas” dinner at my favorite restaurant with my favorite metalsmith Sarah Chapman. We ate way too much food, way too much hot caramel sauce and had a wonderful time sharing stories, gifts and our plans for the New Year. I came home with a full tummy & two beautiful new mugs for my collection. Thank you again Sarah!!!

Mug by Kip O’Krongly

Mug by Deb Schwartzkopf

Look who will be starting the New Year with some New Pottery Tools!!!
I couldn’t resist buying myself a couple of these beautiful wooden ribs by Troy Bungart. I first met Troy at NCECA 2014, and now they’re selling his tools in the Lillstreet Gallery.

Merry Christmas to Me!

If you need to get a few of these beauties for yourself… click here for Troy’s ETSY Page.

A huge “Holiday Thank You” to everyone who stopped by today for “MUD & METAL.”
It was so much fun for Amy and I to see everyone, share stories and help check a few gifts off your holiday shopping lists. We had a great time… and we hope you did too! Thanks for playing. And thanks for shopping handmade, shopping local and for supporting local artisans. We both appreciate your generosity and continued loyalty.

And you weren’t the only ones doing some shopping today.
Guess who has two new “presents” for himself?… ME!!!

Here are my two new pieces from Amy Taylor. First, I knew I had to have one of her new “adorbs.” So happy. So funny. So much like looking in a mirror! And one more necklace pendant that kept shining and calling my name. It’s an actual red reflector! So much fun!!! I love Amy’s style and sense of whimsy!!!

Today’s the Day. My second Holiday Home Show : MUD & METAL.
My dining room table is covered with wonderful beauties by my friend Amy Taylor… surrounded by shelves full of my pottery in every room of my condo. You’ve still got plenty of time to swing by this afternoon for some MUD & METAL. Did I mention cookies & brownies too?

We’re open until 6:00pm this evening… and there’s plenty for everyone!!!
Plenty of cookies too…

I snatched up my very first piece William Kidd piece from the Tampa Tour de Clay!!! I’ve admired his work, and fawned over a couple pieces that my friend Cory McCrory has in her collection. Well, tonight was a great night… sitting in my studio during a Holiday Open House Night… when I snatched up this sweet baby by William Kidd…

Special thanks to my friend & talented artist Cory McCrory who is a Guest Artist during the Tampa Tour de Clay. She was also great enough to be my “personal shopper” while they were setting up this evening. Smooth move… swooping in under cover of darkness… before they even open to the public tomorrow!!!

Thank you Cory!
Thank you William!!!

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the beautiful work that my friend Amy Taylor makes. Wonderful designs, stunning stones and classy style.

She’s known for putting hinges in her pieces so they all have a great wiggle & swivel to them. No promise that these actually pieces will be at my place Saturday… but there will be a LOT more just like ’em to whet your whistle!!!

Still trying to check some names off your holiday gift list?
Well this Saturday might be the perfect chance!!!

Stop by my place between 10:00am-6:00pm for some great handmade gifts. Plenty of pottery in every room of my condo AND wonderful jewelry by my metalsmith friend Amy Taylor. And heck, while you’re at it… why not get a gift or two for yourself too?!!!

In addition to her jewelry collection, this year at The One-Of-A-Kind Show this year, Sarah is also showing off some of her new sculptural work. A “constellation” of beautiful wall pieces. Each one a beautiful in it’s own right… but we all know that a grouping of three, five or ALL of them would be much better!!!

The two larger pieces have a wonderful blue color to them. Some sort of chemical “etching” process to force the brilliant blue patina. And then the “accent piece” is actually a separate pendant that comes with a chain necklace so you can wear it too! The whole idea is brilliant!!! Not only is the wall piece beautiful, and the pendant gorgeous, but the “stand” that hods the pendant is beautifully incorporated into the overall design as well. She’s a smart one!

The others have stones & gems “stitched” into them. Beautiful textures, colors, patterns and patinas. What’s not to love with such wonderful layers of fun?!

So there they are… wonderful, sculptural wall pieces by Sarah Chapman. Each one a beauty… even cooler as a grouped constellation!

And just for the record… the stunning necklace that she was “modeling” yesterday in this photo sold and went to a very good home. But there are plenty of others stunners waiting for you today at One-Of-A-Kind.

Okay, so she may have moved to Minneapolis… but, Sarah’s here in Chicago this weekend at The One-Of-A-Kind Show down at the Merchandise Mart. She makes wonderful jewelry with incredible craftsmanship. Beautiful gems, stones & shells encased in beautifully designed mountings. I must admit that I already have “quite the collection” of Sarah’s wonderful work. One of the many benefits of having Talented Friends. For more of Sarah’s work, click here for her website… or click on the link to her page in the right column of my blog.

She’s at The One-Of-A-Kind Show for one more day… today!
And I’ll be down there again this afternoon helping her in her booth.
If you would like to stop by, she’s in Booth #2118. If you need free tickets, click here.

And trust me, her work looks a whole LOT better without this weird yellow tint
my camera picks up from her display lighting!

And a showy “boat” pendant whose shadow is equally as cool…

C’mon down to The One-Of-A-Kind Show at the Merchandise Mart.
I’ll be here all day helping my friend Sarah Chapman in Booth #2118.

She makes incredible jewelry. Perfect holiday gifts for everyone on your list…
including me!!!      hint, hint…