We’re all frantically getting ready for ART IN THE GARDEN this weekend. And it looks like my friend Cory McCrory might be bringing some hot pots fresh out of the kiln!!! Click on the Link for more information about ART IN THE GARDEN in Glenview. Two days of art & fun this weekend!

Wonderful dinner at my favorite restaurant with two of my favorite besties Sarah & Pam.
And when there’s not quite enough hot caramel sauce on your dessert…
an additional bowl of caramel makes everything sweeter!

Hanging out with my friend & brilliant metalsmith Sarah Chapman at the Bucktown Arts Fest. Diggin’ her new bracelets… which I lovingly dubbed “a bangle with a dangle.” Stop by today until 7:00pm… or again tomorrow from 11:00am-7:00pm!!! Booth 178 on Lyndale.

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Eight “talented friends” hanging out in the garden. A smaller, more intimate grassroots art fair. This is our third year hosted by my friend & metalsmith Amy Taylor. A great alternative to the mega-art fairs that can be a bit overwhelming. Easier to shop, chat with the artists, or just hang out and relax in Amy’s garden!

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Looks like my friend Cory McCrory has been “puffing & quilting” her paper clay getting ready for ART IN THE GARDEN. We’re just a couple weeks away from my next art fair in Glenview, Illinois. Details to come… but mark your calendars now for September 10th & 11th.

A quick apology for being so delayed in posting this one.
Kinda scary how fast the year is passing by. We’ve all been so busy!!!
Busy in our studios making art. Busy at the weekend art fairs… SUMMER CAMP!!!
And hopefully busy having more than a little fun playing this summer!

Here’s another batch of holiday ornaments made by me & four of My Talented Friends.
Remember, we’ve all signed-on for a Monthly Holiday Ornament Challenge.
The plan is for each of us to make a new ornament each month of the year.
And now we’re over half way done! Whew… 2016 is just flying by!!!

My Talented Friend : Cory McCrory
Cory has had an incredibly busy time this summer preparing for her son’s wedding…making vases & mini cups! Looks like that theme has continued with a few more mini cups to celebrate her Scandinavian heritage. A few tiny Glogg cups to hang on the tree... maybe after a few sips!

My Talented Friend : Sarah Chapman
Sarah’s ornament for July is a twisted take & fun with copper wire. For those who know Sarah’s jewelry line, this style of wrapped wire & twisted knots might be familiar. I’m thinking she might “need” to add these to her product line… maybe some large hoop earrings???

My Talented Friend : Roberta Polfus
Roberta is makes wonderful little teapots everyday in her normal work. Beautifully carved & sculptural mini-pots. Normally not this small… possibly the smallest tea set ever. The cutest cup of tea for your Christmas tree!

My Talented Friend : Amy Taylor
For July, Amy has been working on her “Heavenly Desserts” collection. They’re adorably whimsical… but now I kinda want the real treats too?! Especially the OREO’s!!!

My Talented Friend : … oh wait, it’s ME again!!!
For July ornaments, I went with textured porcelain “icicles.” My plan is to fire them without glaze to keep them white… and then “maybe” paint one side of the spiral with a metallic silver paint, plus some ribbon to hang them from.

So there they are… July ornaments (a little bit late) of My Talented Friends Cory, Sarah, Roberta & Amy. Hopefully everyone’s schedule will settle down a bit in these last few days of summer. I know mine definitely will slow down a bit now that Summer Camp has finally come to an end.

Be sure to check out everyone’s websites. They’re all in the LINKS section in the far right column. And they all have fun Facebook pages too. Find your favorites & follow them everywhere!

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Trying to pull together some pieces for an upcoming soda firing. I’m teaching a workshop and there might be some extra room in the kiln… so I’ve thrown a bunch of stuff that I will have ready just in case.

Kiln Layer #1 – Ovals and mugs.

Kiln Layer #2 – Soap dispensers, mugs and spoon rests.

Kiln Layer #3 – Thin ovals, ornaments, vases and mugs… stacked two high!

Kiln Layer #4 – A partial layer with some olive trays, ikebana circles and ornaments.

Kiln Layer #5 – Another oval, bowls and ornaments.

And you know how I like a well-packed kiln… especially when it come so close to the top!

But the best part of my kiln loading was the “Special Guest” who stopped by to help.
My friend and amazing metalsmith Sarah Chapman just happened to be in town and stopped by for a visit. She offered to help… and of course I said yes. I’m always up for “free help” and playing with my friends. I think Sarah really enjoyed her first real kiln loading.  A sort of 3D Tetris game played with fragile greenware. She did a GREAT JOB!!!… and I “paid” her with ice cream over at Margies!!!

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Looks like my friend Sarah Chapman had a yummy Sunday morning. And THAT’s a motto I can live by!!! Thanks for sharing Sarah!!!

Look at the yummy summer broccoli cheese frittata made by my friend Sarah Chapman… looks pretty tasty. .. and that “fancy” green plate makes it look even TASTIER!!!

Extra special to be in the fine company of my friend & fellow-potter Delores Fortuna who made the beautiful platter at the top of the photo.

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We’ve been doing this Monthly Holiday Ornament Challenge for six months now. It’s a little tough for the ceramic folks to show finished pieces in a timely basis. What with needing to glaze and fill a kiln and all. So we frequently just show the greenware versions of the ornaments and hope that people can “visualize” the finished outcome. Well, Roberta has been busy glazing & finishing some of her ornaments from previous months. No more “guessing”…. now you can see the real thing. And how incredible they all look!!!

To see more of Roberta’s ceramic work, click here for her website.

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