Another “monstrously“ fun night at the LILLSTREET THROWDOWN this past week!!! For their final handbuilding challenge… we took inspiration from Gretchen the “Master Monster Maker”… @biggirlco . I’ve loved seeing her monsters online over the years. So I shared her page with my class… discussed being “inspired” by her work… and definitely making our own versions & not copying hers!

So my class had just over two hours to make their own “free-standing” monster… with a minimum of 12” tall. Not an easy assignment… especially with a time restraint. Handbuilding takes time… as they learned… “wet clay” typically doesn’t want to stand up on its own! Everyone had a GREAT time… thanks again to Gretchen @biggirlco for the inspiration! We hope we did you proud!!!

So I made another batch of fortune cookies last night before heading home. Left them out to dry… and I’m a little intrigued on how “randomly” they’re drying. Creating a crazy cool ombré blend from the lighter-drier ones to the darker-wetter ones. Kinda cool…

Well, it’s cold & flu season… so last night in my LILLSTREET THROWDOWN class, the handbuilding challenge was a decorative Kleenex box cover! Many of my students are “not” handbuilders, so this pushed them out of their comfort zones… that and the time constraints. I also brought in my collection of textured handrollers from MKM Pottery Tools in case they wanted to try them. With just 90 minutes for this task, there were some great learning moments, some frustrated re-starts & eventually some great box covers! Well done team!!!

Why do I do this to myself??? Okay, so I got a little “distracted” and then THIS happened!!! I thought that since so many people have been collecting my Halloween Ghouls for years… they might need some “scenery” to go with their ghoulish groups! So I made a quick batch of tombstones… because I apparently just can’t stop myself??? And now back to reality… back to the Ghouls…

So I’m back on “Ghoul production”… and I’ve decided they could use some fun “accessories”! So I think half of them will get hats… and the other half?… something else??? Gotta keep making…

Also in the kiln… a fresh batch of fortune cookies!
With a nice wash of iron oxide to help the textures “pop.” We’ll call this batch “replenishment.”

Looks like Cory has a full-on infestation happening!!!

For those of you wondering how Cory McCrory makes such amazing bugs… here are some great “process” shots from her studio! She works with paper clay which helps with keeping the clay “workable” a bit longer. And then it’s a lot of parts & pieces… body parts, wings, antennae, legs & so much more!!! And a lot of scoring & slipping!!!

Be sure to come to ART IN THE GARDEN next weekend to see these amazing bugs in person!!! Saturday, September 6th & Sunday, September 7th in Glenview, Illinois.

Rolling… curling… vertical-izing(?) … attaching… repeat.
Adding the handbuilt sides onto some new hybrid mugs!

The calm between the storms!

It’s handbuilding day in camp this week. Making cool theme mugs with slabs, textures & add-ons. Morning campers just left… afternoon campers coming in!!! More fun to come… very soon!