Another wonderful video of Korean master potters at work. It shows the entire process from decorating, carving, glazing, loading the kiln, unloading and admiring. The only part it doesn’t show is the initial throwing of the vessel… or any sort of mirth, merriment or Oreo’s?!!! That must be what I’m doing wrong?!…

Click here for the “Icheon Masters” video on Vimeo.

One of the highlights of spending the Fourth of July in downstate Illinois is the charming “Norman Rockwell” quality of it all. Including corn dogs, lemon shake-ups, flea markets and vintage car shows. I’m not so much into the old cars… but I am REALLY into the beautiful colors and rusted patina on this beauty from 1939!!! Seventy-six years of rust… beautiful!!!

On the side of Persimmon Tree Road, juts before it meets Bayside Road, there’s this quaint little cemetery in the middle of a warm wheat field. Turns out it is the final resting place for some of the Pleasonton family… one of the original founding families in the Dover area. Such a sweet place. Quiet. Small. Serene. A wonderful history dating back to 1836.

Just a quick & friendly reminder for those of you headed out
to the Hinsdale Fine Arts Festival this weekend.
We’re in downtown Hinsdale in Burlington Park both Saturday & Sunday
from 10:00am-5:00pm. You’ll have a LOT more fun if you keep this in mind…

Here’s a little “Uptown Funk” to jazz up your otherwise dreadful time on the treadmill.
Wonder if we could add this into the CrossFit rotation next week?!… if nothing else, purely
for entertainment value as I can’t do much more than go forward without falling off!!!

Click here for the video by Carson Dean on YouTube.

And no, just for the record, I will NOT be adding this to my workout routine.
But in case you missed it the first time…
Click here for the video by Carson Dean on YouTube.

If you respect the Original, the Personal, the Authentic – You are a CITIZEN too.
Declare yourself… and tell everyone “I AM NOT A LEMMING.”

Click here for more information about “Citizens of Craft.”
A website & group, both under construction…. growing, evolving & becoming
a community of Citizens! Are YOU a lemming or a Citizen of Craft?!

For those who want a quick glimpse, here is their simple 10-point manifesto…
of course their website if more fun & visually-inspiring, so go there. But if not…

#1 – YOU ARE NOT A LEMMING.
You’re not a follower; you trust your own tastes and live by them.\

#2 – WE VALUE THE UNIQUE & ENDURING.
As an authentic human being, you appreciate things that don’t scream assembly line.

#3 – OBJECTS SHOULD INHABIT, NOT INTRUDE.
You believe objects with personal, tactile histories engage with your world better than the anonymously mass-produced.

#4 – YOU ARE NOT AUTOMATED, MANUFACTURED, OR CLONED.
You weren’t made in a factory, so you prefer not to bury your life with things that are.

#5 – YOU BELIEVE IN 10-DIGIT TECHNOLOGY.
You connect more strongly with things made by a pair of hands – the original 10-digit machine.

#6 – ONE SIZE SHOULD NOT FIT ALL.
You prefer objects that mirror your individual taste, rather than fit some monster demographic.

#7 – NOTHING IS NEWER THAN TRADITION.
You are as much a fan of time-honored techniques as you are of their contemporary interpretations.

#8 – COOKIE CUTTER DOESN’T CUT IT.
In a me-too world, you appreciate that Craft brings different cultures and perspectives into your space.

#9 – VASES ARE PEOPLE TOO.
Craft objects evoke their makers, letting you surround yourself with not just things, but personalities.

#10 – WHILE WE ALL MARCH TO DIFFERENT DRUMS, WE MOVE TOGETHER.
You value how each maker’s unique expression bonds us as a richer community.

Please click here for their website. Declare yourself a Citizen.
Appreciate, engage & encourage the Arts. Whether making art yourself,
patronizing the Arts or encouraging your favorite Artists to follow their passion.
Be Original. Be Personal. Be Authentic.

Be a Citizen of Craft.

Here’s a beautiful video created by a wonderful potter Ayumi Horie.
She talks about her thoughts on clay. The beauty of clay. The meditative quality of all the repetitive work we do as potters. A lot of similar philosophies to my own. And you’ve got to love watching her add some textures & patterns into freshly thrown clay!!!

Click here for Ayumi Horie’s video on YouTube.
For more about Ayumi Horie and her pottery, click here for her website.

Need some visual inspiration?
Need a quick fix of pottery, textures, patterns, tiles and more?!
Or a few more stunning sunrise?!

Click here to find my Pinterest Boards.