The first batch of mugs made with my Advanced Beginners last night during the second class of our new summer session. Looks like they’re off to a good start…

Looks like Eric is enjoying his coffee in someplace tropical… loving the bright colors & whimsical textures! Perfect for another Mugshot Monday… although I’m really guessing this is just his backyard?!

Confirmed… kinda. : it’s his FRONT PORCH!!!

Handles attached… hybrid mugs assembled. This batch will now get some colored flashing slips before drying. Then onto a bisque kiln, glazing, wadding… and then loading & soda-firing next weekend!

Painting some accents of colored flashing slip…
around the top rim & on each stamped impression!

Working towards filling a soda kiln in the next couple weeks…

Handles attached. Mugs made. I’ll keep them under plastic until I have time to add some accents of colored flashing slips. As these mugs are destined for a soda-firing in a couple weeks!!!

Starting the day in my studio pulling handles.
Most people hate handles… whereas I actually enjoy making them.
Mugs are my favorite thing to make!!!

Back from the Pottery Tour… and time to get back into production mode in the studio again. Starting with another 10×10 Challenge… this time more mugs with a newer shape! More than ten pieces thrown before 10:00am. Giddy-up!!!

So this mug “may have” come home with me too! A sweet little mug from Lindsey Heiden. Loved the raven on the side… but it was the red balloon that he’s holding that really sealed the deal.

Anyone else remember the movie “The Red Balloon”? I saw it in third grade and for some reason, it has stuck with me ever since. One of my all time favorites. I even own an old VHS tape of it!!! So of course I had to get the mug with the red balloon. Obviously.

It’s tough to be standing around at a Pottery Tour surrounded by talented potters… a NOT get some souvenirs to add to my mug collection! Like these two from my friend & “booth neighbor” Kenyon Hansen that made the trip home with me!!!

The NORTHERN ILLINOIS POTTERY TOUR is this weekend!!!
I’m busy prepping, pricing & packing for the tour. C’mon out to see us this weekend in Sandwich, Illinois… at the home studio of my good friend Cory McCrory!

For more information : www.northernilpotterytour.com