Another great Christmas SURPRISE…
I was also asked to make a couple “sets” of pottery for three different families. The parents who requested these “sets” have QUITE the collection of my pottery. They’ve been collecting my work for years… and probably have TOO MUCH if that’s even possible! I know most of their kids have some “random” pieces… a mug here, a bowl there… but not a good “set” of anything!

So the request was to make two bowls, two mugs and two juice cups in three different colors for three different families. They love the stamped patterns… but didn’t want them to be all “matchy-matchy”… so they wanted the stamps to all be different. Similar, but different.

And to make matters worse…
imagine ME not being able to share the photos of these pieces as I was making them!!! I was so careful not to share too much to ruin the surprise! I had fun making the sets… but so tough NOT to show photos along the way!

The “celadon” green set traveled to Kristy & Matt in Wisconsin!

The cobalt blue set went to Karen & Annie in Maryland.

And the green set was delivered to Jody & Ira in Pennsylvania.

And oh, but wait there’s more…
I figured since each of the families was getting a nice “starter set” courtesy of their parents… maybe they needed a plate to go with it too??? Especially since I’ve kinda been “adopted” into the family. I’ve even been referred to as “the favorite son”!!!

A title I’ll gladly take… especially since they only have daughters!

Another MUGSHOT MONDAY… this time while hiking up north along the lakefront. Sure, it was a bit chilly, but proper layers and a mug of hot chocolate… perfect combo for a perfect afternoon out in nature.

I’ve been working on these pieces for awhile.
And it finally feels GREAT to call them done!

I received a request from a local Chicago customer for a special order last Summer during the shutdown. He owns & runs THE ECCENTRIC CAFE in Kalamazoo, Michigan… a part of Bell’s Brewery. Apparently, the bar has a lot of “visual intrigue”… wonderful collections & things to look at all over the place. In fact, it’s one of the only brewery pubs with NO TELEVISIONS!!!

So the request was that I would make a large “tankard” or stein for his newest collection. I LOVE making mugs… so I was definitely intrigued to tackle them on a much larger scale! He said he was “collecting them” from a few of his favorite potters around the country. So I was HONORED to be chosen to be part of his collection of favorites!!!

The request was that I can make any style, shape or form tankard “in my style”… and they had to hold more than 64-ounces! Knowing that I was going to be soda-firing them, I decided to make a couple extra just in case something goes wrong during the firing… a drip from the ceiling, a splotch of errant soda, or any other random issue that comes up while soda-firing. So here are the three finished pieces seen from both sides. Totally pleased with the finished results… and NO random soda mishaps!!!

Tankard #1 –

Tankard #2 –

Tankard #3 –

As I was making them, I was continually concerned that they wouldn’t be large enough… a minimum of 64-ounces. You know how clay shrinks when it dries… again when it gets bisque fired… and yet again when soda-fired. So I threw them fairly large with the shrinkage in mind… but after each step in the process they kept getting smaller and I kept getting more & more concerned!!! Turns out I was all good… BY FAR!!!… as each of them finished out with a volume of nearly 96-ounces each!!!

When I sent photos of them finished to Larry to choose which one he wanted… I was blown away when he said he loved them and wanted ALL THREE!!! Blown away!!! I was so excited that he loved them so much.

Last night I dropped them off … so nice to complete the commission and pass them off to the client. They will now be on their way to THE ECCENTRIC CAFE in Kalamazoo, Michigan. I can’t wait to see photos of them in “the collection” when they all come together. I know a few of the other potters involved… and it’s sure to be a pretty sweet collection! And then when “things” settle down a bit this summer, I may just need to do a roadtrip to Kalamazoo to see the pottery collection in person!

So the first mug “snagged” from today’s MUGSHOT MONDAY STUDIO SALE was “The Grinch” mug! And then the new owner got home to find a gift of macarons & tea waiting for her… and her heart grew three sizes that day!

A quick reminder that the MUGSHOT MONDAY SALE continues until 7:00pm in my studio. Lots of great mugs still looking for the forever homes!

Happy Mugshot Monday!!! Don’t forget we’re celebrating today with a grab & go MUGSHOT MONDAY STUDIO SALE!!! The perfect chance to pick-up that last minute gift. Swing by my studio to shop from 130 mugs on the shelves!!!

I’m on the second floor of Lillstreet Art Center at 4401 North Ravenswood in Chicago! I’ll be here selling mugs from noon to 7:00pm… and of course, face masks are required, along with all other safety protocols!

Finish your holiday shopping…
and grab a mug for yourself all at the same time!!!

A quick reminder that tomorrow from 12:00noon to 7:00pm CST is my MUGSHOT MONDAY STUDIO SALE!!! One last grab-n-go holiday sale for my local Chicago area friends & fans starting with a HUNDRED MUGS! The perfect chance to pick up that last-minute gift for that special someone… or even yourself?! With special holiday pricing… the more you buy, the bigger the discounts!

Hope to see you tomorrow with all the safety precautions in place!
My studio is located on the second floor of Lillstreet Art Center at
4401 North Ravenswood – Studio 205 West.
We’re on the corner of Montrose & Ravenswood…
and remember MASKS ARE REQUIRED!!!

And these are just a FEW of the mugs I’ll have ready to go at NOON tomorrow!

Well, the online orders are all shipped out to my “far-away fans”… so now it’s time for a little last-minute shopping for my Chicago area peeps! This Monday, I’ll be celebrating another MUGSHOT MONDAY with an in-studio, grab-n-go Mug Sale from 12:00noon-7:00pm. About a hundred mugs in my studio all ready for the pickin’! No dibs. No packing. No shipping.

Feel free to stop by (with your mask on) to grab a couple mugs for gifts… or for yourself! With special holiday discounts… the more you buy, the bigger the discount!

Here’s my studio address in case you can make it…
4401 North Ravenswood, Chicago, IL 60640.
I’m on the second floor of Lillstreet Art Center on the northeast corner of Montrose & Ravenswood – Studio 205 West halfway down the hall on the right. C’mon up, we’ll be staying safe, distanced & hand-sanitized all day!

Fresh outta the kiln yesterday… just in time for some last-minute holiday gifts! All of these glazed mugs will be available next Monday for a “grab-n-go” event at my studio!

More details to come for my local Chicago area fans & followers who are still looking to spread some holiday cheer in a mug this year… including The Grinch mug!!!

So I tried a new “LIME” glaze in this kiln… and it kinda strikes a childhood holiday memory this time of year?!!!

You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch… I can’t decide… yea or nay???

It’s another MUGSHOT MONDAY… and to celebrate tonight my “Mugshot Mondays” students finished their 3-week class by glazing all of their mugs. And we all know that a good glazing session begins with a good waxing session! I’m not really a “fan” of glazing… ugh… but oddly, I do LOVE WAXING the bottoms?!!!