So I’ve dropped some hints… left some clues… alluded to some AITG collaboration projects. Did you catch ‘em?! Well, here’s a more direct approach since ART IN THE GARDEN is just a week away! My “collaboration cohort” Cory McCrory has been working on our pieces very quietly in her studio. I dropped off a few stamped platters with very “plain” interior areas. Cory will be changing that while adding her amazing sense of whimsy & crazy cool color schemes. I can’t wait to see them myself… teaser photos coming soon?!
A wonderful grassroots art fair located in the garden of metalsmith Amy Taylor in Glenview, Illinois. We have a great collection of “talented friends” all working together to make this a great show. Everyone will be bringing their artwork… plus a few one-of-kind collaborations made with artists working together! Mark your calendar for next Saturday & Sunday. We hope you can join us!
Looks like my friend Tom Wheeler has been busy in his woodworking studio again!!! Crafting this beautiful side table out of donated pieces of black walnut & red oak. So beautiful… loving the joinery… and so proud to be the chosen “prop” to sit on the table for the photo shoot!!!
Especially since his wife Nancy also makes pottery… and some of you may have met her as an occasional “cashier” at my Holiday Home Show! A very talented couple!!!
It was a fun time last night celebrating my friend Martin on his big publishing release date for his new cookbook… “GREAT BAKES.”
So good to see him again, chat with a few of his friends… and especially loved the sweets table full of treats from the new cookbook!!! All were AMAZING… especially the oversized “cherry pop-tart” & the oatmeal chocolate chip cookies! My two faves!!!
So now that it’s official released to the public… you gotta go buy a copy or two of Martin’s cookbook “GREAT BAKES.” And then leave a review on Amazon to help boost his ratings & visibility. Thanks!!!
So excited for my friend & former pottery student Martin Sorge on his big night tonight… the official release party for his new cookbook “GREAT BAKES.”
We first met Martin when he was competing on “The Great American Baking Show” three years ago. He was in my pottery class at the time… and enjoyed following his TV journey with thematic gambling & class treats based on the losers! I even made Martin a cobalt blue cake plate as his “trophy” for whatever place he finished in… always a winner with us!!!
But then…
SPOILER ALERT!!!
Martin won the show & we threw a wonderful surprise party for him… along with the two other Chicago bakers from the show… Sarah & Nirali.
He has since been on a quest to publish his own cookbook. With a publisher at his side, today is the official launch party!!! And his cookbook is BEAUTIFUL!!! Can’t wait to stop by to see Martin, snack on a few of his treats from the cookbook & have the “celebrity” autograph my cookbook!!! Congrats Martin… we’re all so proud of you for making this dream come true!!!
And then rush back to Lillstreet to teach class tonight!!!
EXCITING NEWS!!! My longtime friend Kristen Holub is hosting a “Studio Opening Celebration” tomorrow… as she’s opening her own “brick & mortar” pottery studio! She started as a professional metalsmith, took time off to be a great Mom, then came back & took some pottery classes… and look at her now! As a former student of mine, she definitely subscribed to the “more is more” mantra! Her pots are beautifully crafted with wonderful details & craftsmanship. If you’re in town, be sure to stop by to visit My Talented Friend Kristen!
A huge CONGRATULATIONS… and a Flashback Friday… to My Talented Friend, master baker & potter Martin Sorge!!! I just got my copies of his first cookbook “GREAT BAKES” through pre-order… open sales begin August 4th! So exciting… so beautiful, great photography, great styling, and I’m confident the recipes will be AMAZING as well!!!
We first met Martin when he signed-up for one of my pottery classes. He mentioned that he makes handmade OREOs… done! Then he mentioned that he had filmed “The Great American Baking Show” which was going to air during our class session. Of course we watched.. and I decided we needed to “gamble” on it… each student randomly choosing a baker-player. And then when their player was voted out, they had to bring snacks to our pottery class based on their losing recipe!!! Reality TV, gambling AND snacks???… I’m in!!!
SPOILER ALERT…
So as the show played out with judges Dame Prue & Paul Hollywood under the same “Great British Bake-Off” tent in England… we kept seeing this cast of American bakers strutting their stuff challenge after challenge. And Martin kept making it through & becoming the Star Baker a couple times even while baking with corn several times. By the end of the show… Martin was in the Finale… and eventually WON THE SHOW!!! Huge congrats Martin!!!
So then we decided we had to throw a big surprise party for Martin for our last class potluck. I invited the two other Chicago bakers from the show to join us – as they had all three become close friends. So Sarah & Nirali surprised Martin, partied with us… and even threw their first pots on the wheel. So much fun!!!
But after winning the show… what do you do next???
Well… Martin has taken his culinary skills to the next level… and written a full-on cookbook!!! Full of amazing recipes & photos. It’s already getting some big buzz… including from Bon Appetit !!! Listing his book as one of “The Best New Cookbooks of Summer 2026.” Be sure to go out and get one of Martin’s cookbooks… pre-order now… or buy it after August 4th!!!
Screenshot
Congrats Martin… we’re all so proud of you & excited for your new adventure!!! Your book is a huge achievement, a ton of work & it all looks AMAZING!!! And any time you need more taste-testers… we’re in!!!
You gotta love having talented friends… and art fair booth neighbors this weekend!!! Like Rhonda from “The Buttons Stop Here” who created a very special bracelet for me made of vintage “trade uniform” buttons… all starting with the state prison button which I LOVE!!! Plus the artistry & detail of the other buttons is amazing as well… all over a hundred years old!!!
Stop by the GLENVIEW SUMMER ART FAIR today from 11:00am-5:00pm… come see us both… we’re side-by-side!!!
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!!!
