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

Shelves are stocked and the doors are open!
C’mon over to do a little holiday shopping, a little chatting and to share some holiday cheer…
and treats! And yes, that is indeed the “Knight Before Christmas” standing guard in the
corner of my dining room!

Just one day away… “Mud & Metal” is tomorrow from 10:00am-6:00pm.
Be sure to stop by ready to cross some names off your holiday shopping list.
I’ve replenished the shelves… including the “Tired Of Shlepping” shelves.
And Amy Taylor will be bringing her beautiful work early in the morning.
Share some handmade holiday gifts this season!

Whether it’s one of the hundreds of artists down at the “One Of A Kind Show”
this weekend, or me & Amy this Saturday at my place, we’re all hoping that you
take some time to support your local artists this holiday season.
Bring some handmade magic to your holiday gift giving!

Here’s a little more of a “sneak peek” at Amy Taylor’s wonderful work.
Keep in mind that practically everything has a hinge in it to give an extra swivel.
Even better – she’s coming to my home this Saturday with all of her lovelies this
Saturday, December 8th for “Mud & Metal : A Collaborative Holiday Show.”

So plan on stopping by my place this Saturday from 10:00am-6:00pm to stock up,
do a little Christmas shopping, hang out, and tackle that holiday gift list! We’ve got
a lot of wonderful gift ideas in every room of my home. C’mon by this Saturday!

Another week to wait.
Another chance to finish your holiday shopping.
Another Holiday Home Show… in case you missed the first one.
Another guest metalsmith with beautiful jewelry!!!

Mark your calendar for next Saturday, December 8th for the second
Holiday Home Show. This time it’s “Mud & Metal : A Collaborative Holiday Show”
with my friend & metalsmith Amy Taylor stopping by my place for the day. Her work is
wonderful with a bit of whimsy along the way. She’s most known for her hinged pieces…
and if you’d like to see more of her work ahead of time, click here for her website.

With my pottery in every room, fascinating jewelry in the dining room, food & drink
in the kitchen and even more “Tired Of Shlepping” bargains on the back porch,
you’re sure to find something for everyone on your holiday gift list… including yourself!

As part of the Holiday Opening Party last night at Lillstreet Art Center,
they also had an open Art Fair on the third floor with a lot of students & friends
selling their wares. Obviously, I had to add to my crazy-cool Terry Hogan collection
of pierced porcelain! You know I’m a sucker for repetitive patterns & textures!

As if the her pierced “pods” weren’t cute enough… now she’s making Christmas ornaments
which are equally cool. I couldn’t decide… so I had to get all three! Each cooler than the next!

And a tw0-sided mitten… I think I like the snowflake side the best?

And a precisely pierced porcelain precious perky pup… priceless!!!

While at the McGraw YMCA tonight hanging out with my friends, I did have to do
a little shopping from “My Talented Friend” Cory McCrory. Her textures, her colors and
her wacky sense of whimsy has always amused me. So when I saw this wonderful cup &
saucer – I knew I had to have it. Sure, it will fit right into my mug collection. But this is
the first one that comes with an actual arm as the stirring stick. Which comes in “handy”
when there’s “no poison” to be had!

But the REAL clincher is when you pick up the cup and find that the bottom is a point?!
So there’s no way to set it down anywhere except for the cloud-lined saucer that fits the point.
Too funny. Too clever. I love it.

And while I was there…
I also “had to” add another one of Cory’s handmade ornaments to my collection!

On my way to the Lillstreet Holiday Opening Party tonight, I made a quick stop-off
at the Ceramics Showcase in Evanston. While I “should have” been at Lillstreet getting
ready in my studio… instead I was hanging out with my friends and doing a little shopping!

While I am not part of this collection of potters, three of “My Talented Friends” are.
So I stopped by early to see if I could help anyone set up, and they were pretty much all done.
So I got to stand around and chat… and shop! But here they are from left to right…
Cory McCrory, Roberta Polfus & Delores Fortuna.

So if you’ve got time this weekend for some great ceramic work, be sure to stop by
the Evanston McGraw YMCA and say hello to Cory, Roberta & Delores for me!!!

Today we celebrated Thanksgiving at my sister’s place. We were all there including
my adorable niece Taylor. She had made a special Thanksgiving “surprise” for each of us.

Sweet treats made out of Oreo’s, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Whoppers, Candy Corn
and more! One for each of us sitting on place card boxes wherever she decided we should
sit at the Thanksgiving table. Luckily, mine was right next to her!!!