So I’ve finally poured through my photos… so here goes the story…
It’s the wedding celebration of my friend & potter Emily Murphy who is actually
the one responsible for “pushing me” to start this blog in the first place! And now
look at what’s happened… my blogging addiction is in full swing! Plus, you can
check out Emily’s blog that inspired me… www.potteryblog.com.

Last weekend was the celebration party for the marriage of Emily Murphy
and her longtime partner Ian Bicking. For as long as I’ve known Emily,
which has been MANY years now, she and Ian have always been together. Emily
and I have worked together for many years with our studios close to each other, sharing
ideas, business tactics and several kilns over the years. Then she moved to Minneapolis!
I must admit that I’ve always kind of considered them married in my mind. And on more
than one occasion, I even heard Emily introduce Ian to people as “her husband” just to
make it easier. So when the actual wedding happened last winter in their Minneapolis
living room, we weren’t overly surprised… it’s about time, right?! And then they pulled
together a great weekend celebration at their home in Minneapolis for their family & friends.
So that’s the set-up… and the main reason I went on such a whirlwind tour of Minnesota
last weekend! Although my clay adventures to Continental Clay & Northern Clay Center
were quite enticing too! 700-pounds of clay made it home with me!

After an extraordinary amount of organization and information from Emily,
not surprisingly, guests gathered at their new home which they moved into about
a year ago after fixing up the condemned old farmhouse. They’ve done a lot of work
on the place and now have a beautiful home… with Emily & Ian on the second floor,
sister Nora & kids on the first floor, guest bedroom in the third floor attic, and
Emily’s clay studio in the basement… including her brand new electric kiln!

Upon arriving at the party, it was quickly apparent that it was going to be a homespun
garden party… straight out of the pages of ReadyMade magazine! With homemade
pennant flags & white lights strung as a canopy from house to fence, chalkboard name
tags, simple flowers in painted soup cans, candles in glass Ball jars, and more! They had
thought of everything… including a hired babysitter to keep all of the kids entertained
during the ceremony in the yard next door. Although a couple kids did “escape” once
in awhile. There were bubbles, games and more to keep the kids happy!

Being the “crafty” couple that they are, they had worked for weeks prior to set it all up.
As well as create a wonderful “photo op” as you entered their back yard. It was an old
gold gilded frame on a vintage wallpapered piece of “wall” – with the picture missing
in the frame for you to stick your head through for the camera! Of course… we had to play!
I was spending the weekend with my friend & fellow potter Amy Higgason, so we took
a couple quick “mug shot masterpieces” while we were there.

While mingling before the ceremony, it was great to see some of our Lillstreet friends
outside of the studio… and in clean clothes! As well as Emily & Ian’s families & friends.
As a souvenir of the party, Emily had made small porcelain cups for each guest to choose
from and use during the party. It was an ideal opportunity for her to make small cups
to test her new glazes and do her first firing in her new kiln! So we each got to choose
our favorite cup… I was “thirsty,” Amy was “handmade.” Sarah & Julie came away with
two somewhat self-explanatory cups that compliment each other quite nicely!

So after the cozy, garden “cocktail” party, the ceremony began in the backyard.
Emily & Ian had their original wedding ceremony with close family & friends in
New Hampshire a few months ago. This party was a great chance for the rest of us
to celebrate the occasion. So the ceremony this past weekend was a ceremony “inspired”
by Quaker traditions. Which I hate to admit I’m not too aware of! But, there was a LOT
of silence?! Apparently, the couple sits silently in front of everyone. Then they state their
vows to each other… then sit down and there’s more silence! And more silence… quiet…
awkward… silent. And then, as people are “moved,” they would stand up and make a
comment, tell a story, share a memory or other anecdote. With a bit more silence
in between each person’s speech. No plan… just a bit of silence broken up by some
heartfelt stories. Once the stories got going, it was quite sentimental. Quite Quaker?!
Then we hung out for awhile, chatted with friends and then went over for dinner.
After dinner, it was back to the backyard for homemade desserts & music by a nice
Gypsy Quartet.Let’s just say… I tried almost all of the desserts and shared with Amy.
Apparently, Sarah & Julie were enjoying some desserts as well. Forks at the ready!

As the evening progressed, the sun was setting and the party was getting into full swing.
At one point, the setting sun cast a beautiful light upon the barn “garage” in the back.
The ambiance was wonderful as the barn lit up – as did the canopy of white lights!

As the sun went down, so did the temperatures. It rained for a few minutes and the temp
plummeted… and became a bit chilly. But no fear… we had a fire to keep us warm. And
a fire to make s’mores! When was the last wedding YOU went to and made s’mores?!!!

It was a wonderful day shared with a lot of friends – and Emily & Ian’s family. I’ve known
both of them for a long time and it’s great to see them sort of “finalizing” their big move
to Minneapolis with a major event like this. Moving forward in their new path and life
together. Congratulations Emily & Ian… and thanks for throwing such a great party.
I’m glad I could squeeze it in between my camp schedules and survive a treacherous
drive up there! It was well worth it… thanks again!

Next weekend is the Evanston Lakeshore Arts Festival.
It’s a beautiful show along the shore of Lake Michigan in the town of Evanston.
Just a few minutes north of Chicago along Sheridan Road at Church Street.
In Dawes Park, I will once again be in Booth #43 right next to my friend
& metalsmith Sarah C. Chapman. We both hope to see you… by the way,
we’re down at the south end of the pond, next to the lake!

38th Annual Evanston Lakeshore Arts Festival
Saturday, August 7th – 11:00am-6:00pm
Sunday, August 8th – 11:00am-6:00pm

As you may have noticed… I like to bike. I like sunrises.
So part of my “morning addiction” is an invigorating bicycle ride
along the Chicago lakefront taking pictures of the sunrise along the way.
And then sharing them with family & friends. Some of the photos make it here onto the blog…
but there are many more as it’s practically a daily “addiction.” If you’d like to get on the
e-mail list of the “daily pictures” just e-mail me and let me know. You’ll get a LOT more photos
than what you see here! E-mail me at:  gary@firewhenreadypottery.com

One such daily photo “admirer” is my friend Rick Halstead…
who decided to share his poetic wordsmithing with the rest of us.

During sunshine and rain
Wind and fog.
What kind of day
It will prologue.

A striking view
For all to see.
How many viewers
Are just like me?

We see the day
In spring and fall.
Rich with color
We see them all.

Reds and blues
A tranquil mix.
What would life be
Without Gary’s pics?

Yesterday I decided to take a little road trip and get out of the city.
And what better place than Sheboygan, Wisconsin – joust a couple hours north
of Chicago right along the lakeshore. And even better, this weekend is also the
Kohler Festival of the Arts. A nice art fair sponsored by and surrounding the
Kohler Art Museum. My friend Sarah Chapman was one of the artists, so I decided
to drive up and surprise her with a visit and a little assistance as she was doing
the weekend show all by herself! Of course, I brought Twizzlers!

Other “art fair friends” also showing at the Kohler Art Fair…
Molly Bitters : jeweler combining leather & metal
The Pottery Boys : glazed & crystal-glazed functional pottery
Glynnis Lessing : sgraffito-carved porcelain ceramics
Michael Schael : wood-fired functional pottery
And a new favorite… Susan Richter-O’Connell : metalsmith with river rocks!
…of which I know own one of her boxed-stone necklaces!

As the art fair is held at the Kohler Art Museum – of course you have to see that too.
Especially the bathrooms!!! Voted the “Best Bathrooms in America in 2004″… and
quite the spectacle they are. Keep in mind it’s Kohler… maker of fine faucets & sinks
known worldwide!!! But you’ll never find THESE sinks at Home Depot!

Even the toilets and urinals were all decked out. It actually felt a little strange
to “use” the piece of art?! Talk about “target practice”…

As the day was quite hot yesterday, and the beach was so close… I had to skip out from
the art fair and go play on the beach. Sorry Sarah… it had to be done! I was surprised
how close the beach was, and even more, how empty the beach was?! If that lakefront
beach area were in Chicago it would have been jam-packed with people!!!

It felt great to kick off the shoes, stroll on the beach, dip my toes in the cold water…
and actually take a nap on the beach! What a great way to spend a lazy Saturday…
art fair, friends AND beach time!!!

I was intrigued at the beach by all of the seashells that have been pulverized into a
wild mixture of shells, half-shells and powder. All crashing together and separating
as they retreat back into the lake on each wave. There were sections where there were
so many, that you could actually hear the tinkling sounds of the shells hitting each other.

Once the art fair concluded, I “convinced” Sarah to pack up and come join me on the beach.
Let’s just say, it didn’t take a lot of prodding. So she came down to the beach and did some
wadding in the waves to refresh her aching art fair feet. Then we went for pizza at a nice
wood-fired pizza place. Then she went back to crash at her hotel as I headed home.
Quite satisfied with my day at the Sheboygan beach… and the Kohler art fair!
Thanks for playing Sarah!!!

A beautiful sunrise over Northerly Island.
A little known, and rarely visited, natural prairie park in downtown Chicago
hidden nicely next to the Adler Plantarium along the lakefront.

And thinking of my friend (and fellow summer camp counselor) Karen Mansfield
who loves Northerly Island and all of the the birds who live & migrate there.

And oh, but wait there’s more…
Karen has also just started the “adventure of a lifetime.”
She’s starting up in Maine… and hiking the entire Appalachian Trail by herself!
She’s estimating it to be a 5-month journey to make the entire trek from Maine to Georgia.
So we’re wishing her luck for great travels, great weather and great memories!
all said with more than a touch of envy & jealousy…

Subjected to the hectic, frenzied & totally unorganized experience of my VERY first
craft fair… Gerry & Rosene have been with me since the beginning of my pottery career.
Unbeknownst to them, Gerry & Rosene were across the aisle from me when I showed up
to set up my booth. It was my very first art fair – and I knew nothing!!! They were veterans
of the art fair circuit and watched in disbelief as I spread my pottery all over the floor,
the aisle, anywhere I could so that I could empty the crates that would become my shelving…
it was everywhere! And nothing was pre-priced… I was a wreck. Luckily, they were there
to help me through this crazy experience!

Gerry & Rosene were the owners & artists of Pine Needle Crafts – focusing on “primitive”
home decorations. Since then, they have retired from the art fair circuit, as well as “crafting”
all together. Instead, they have decided to turn their other passion into a new business
venture. Their incredible garden down in Central Illinois is spectacular vision with layers,
colors, textures and whimsical touches everywhere you look. Once a year, they open up
the garden in the Spring for their own garden sale of hostas, perennials & annuals.

This weekend, I made the trip down to visit… and sit back to relax in their garden.
It’s always great to see them, share stories while playing in the dirt, relax in the hot tub,
and enjoy some incredible brownies!!!

Besides the rusty bikes… which are a great accent for any garden… I need to get one…
one of my favorite focal points in their garden is this groovy bridge that crosses the creek at
the bottom of the garden ravine. The plank bridge was simple & plain… until they put their
collection of rusty garden tools to “use” as their not-quite-conventional handrail. Love it.

So their yard is incredible. The front of their house is full of flowers and rusty accents.
Turn around the side of the house and enjoy a large deck overlooking the backyard.
A few steps down, and you see an incredible “spread” of garden unfold before you.
Layers & terraces take you down to the bottom of the ravine, across the bridge and
back up the other side. Around every corner, there are spectacular plants & flowers. Some
have bright colored flowers, while others are more appreciated for their foliage & textures.

But it’s not just flowers… like I said, it’s also an incredible assortment of rusty metal
accents – and you know how I LOVE RUST!!! So it’s great to look around… see the
beautiful garden they’ve created and be inspired by their passion & excitement.

Plus… mixed in amongst the sloping garden… one of my own ceramic totem poles!
Being slightly upstaged by a beautiful Siberian iris.

In addition to gardening, Gerry is still working in the wood shop making bird houses!
Over the years, I have received quite a collection of Gerry’s pieces… many with great
barnboard sides and rusty metal roofs. Rosene stays crafty as well – mostly with her
hand-painted garden plant identification markers. Yes… EVERY PLANT in their garden
is marked with a hand-painted sign! Crazy, I know…

But then it’s time to drive back to the city after a very enjoyable day in their garden.
And a car load of potted plants they’ve sent me home with. Plants that were left over
from their sale, as well as cuttings & divisions from many of their spectacular garden.
For those of you that have seen my condo garden, you can thank Gerry & Rosene for
the majority of the plants that are flourishing there. They have been such generous
& supportive friends over the years… it’s great to have Talented Friends!

I had planned to pedal down to the 57th Street Art Fair today to visit some of my
artist friends who were showing there work down there. Sadly, I only got part way
there before I had to turn around as I could see the big storm clouds headed my way!
I made it home just before the clouds opened up and dumped on the city. So I hopped
in my car and headed down to the south side.

Luckily, by the time I drove down there, the storm had just stopped and the fair was
just getting under way. So I had plenty of time time to hang out with friends and shop!
It’s always fun to attend an art fair, support my friends and have fun without having my
own booth. So I started with a Twizzlers break with Julie and metalsmith Sarah Chapman.
Centrally located right next to the funnel cakes, so I made frequent returns to Sarah’s booth.
Then it was off to make the rounds… Amy Taylor’s hinged jewelry, Judy Zeddes prints,
Melissa Banks’ chain maille, Glynnis Lessing’s porcelain sgraffito, Karen Patinkin’s glazed
procelain, Roberta Polfus and her carved porcelain miniatures, Marian Castro-Palanyk’s
porcelain, Molly Bitters leather & silver jewelry & Mary Zehnder’s southwestern sculptures.

And a trip to an art fair would not be complete without a little shopping…
including a new chain maille bracelet to add to my Melissa Banks Collection…
and couple great miniature vases to add to my Roberta Polfus Collection! Yeah me!
And yes Sarah, you were “supposed” to help me narrow down my Polfus choices!!!

Followed by dinner at my favorite restaurant, Rose Angeli’s, and a brand new dish of
jerk chicken ravioli with asiago cheese cream sauce, fried plantains and mango chutney!
Yeah… I know, sounds a little strange – so much so that I HAD to try it… and LOVED it!!!

Well, we’ve survived Schaumburg Day One… and it was a great day!
Good sun. Good sweat. Good sales. Plus it feels good to have one day over with!
One day down, one day to go…

We started this morning early with the full booth set-up… I prefer Friday afternoon
set-ups as it makes Saturday less frantic. But we finished setting up just in time!
The show “officially” started at 10:00am – but customers were already shopping by 9:30am.
So even though we were still doing some finishing touches, we were also more than ready
to meet some customers and make some sales!

I had a good day – lots of fun, lots of sales, and lots of new friends we met along the way.
And not just the new customers, but always great to see the returning “groupies” as well.
As many of you know. I also have my parents right there once again helping out all day.
Plus my Aunt, sister, brother-in-law and niece Taylor stopped by to visit as well!

But the biggest surprise of the day was a visit by my old college friends Keith & Julie,
and their newly engaged daughter Katie - all of whom I had no idea they would be coming!
It’s been about a year since they surprised me last year that the Hinsdale Art Fair. So imagine
my surprise to suddenly turn around, look up and see some “flash-from-your-past” friends
right there at the entrance of my booth… color me shocked, sweaty & glad to see old friends!
It was great to see them (all the way up from Goodfield, Illinois) – and great to hear that they
are faithful blog readers and “Fans” on Facebook.

So I’m home tonight, doing two quick loads of laundry, and hoping to get a good night’s sleep
tonight so that I’m all ready for Day Two of the Schaumburg Prairie Fine Arts Festival!
Let’s hope for another successful day tomorrow… and more fun too!

With the finale of “LOST” coming tonight… I just realized that the “answer”
to everything on the Island has been staring me in the face all along. Who knew that
the overall theme would be captured in a set of little bottles I’ve had for years
as part of my Cory McCrory Collection!!! Go figure… luckily, they each have stoppers!

Over the years, I’ve gotten to know a great watercolor artist on the art fair circuit.
She does beautiful paintings of birds and botanicals. And as she’s getting ready for
the kick-off of her art fair circuit, we’re getting a quick look at her newest piece!

Check out her website to see more watercolor works by Anne Gilna.
Go to my “Links” for a quick transfer to her website!