Just days away!!! The NORTHERN ILLINOIS POTTERY TOUR is this weekend. I’ll be at the Sandwich location out in the far west suburbs. I would start there & work your way back towards the Chicago to get the full “tour” experience. There are seven ceramic artists at our location… functional, whimsical, decorative, sculptural, traditional, textural & so much more. A little of everything!!! Mark your calendar, set the GPS, pack some snacks… and have fun roadtrippin’ around The Tour this weekend!

Big CONGRATULATIONS to my friend & pottery student Martin Sorge who announced today that he’s officially writing & publishing his first cookbook! If you recall, he was also the WINNER of “The Great American Baking Show” last year… which of course we celebrated in our pottery class with a lot of yummy baked treats! Congrats again Martin… we can’t wait to see your cookbook!!!

Oh yeah… and thanks for showing off that fancy stamped cake plate! It was the “prize” I made for Martin… before we found out he had won the real “trophy” cake plate!!!

Be sure to follow Martin on Instagram… @martinsorge

Looks like it’s Cookie Time at “4×4 : FOUR MAKERS.” Sweet treats to make us all very smiley! Thanks to our friend Nicole for bringing us some yummy goodies from Tag’s Bakery in Evanston.

And the fourth of our “4×4 : FOUR MAKERS”… a very talented metal sculptor Darlys Ewoldt. These are all hollow constructions of sheet metal all colored with beautiful patinas. They’re amazing… and yet I have absolutely no idea how she makes them?!!!

And look at this!!! Another Talented Friend… this time Robin Kittleson, a glass fusing artist that makes amazing pieces. All starting with her hand-pulled canes of colored glass! Snipped to small nuggets, arranged & fused into graceful forms. Be sure to stop by “4×4 : FOUR MAKERS” today or tomorrow to see her work.

You know how I love having Talented Friends… so swing by “4×4 : FOUR MAKERS” today it tomorrow to meet my talented metalsmith friend Sarah Chapman. Crazy cool designs with impeccable craftsmanship… I’ve already added more to my collection!

Well, we’re just a day away from the start of “4×4″ : FOUR MAKERS”… so today is a going to be a very busy day!!! I’ve still got a lot of projects to finish up, as well as setting up my shelving display & teaching class tonight! Our show goes Friday 2-8, Saturday 10-8:30 & Sunday 12-4.

But if you decide to stop by on Saturday, it is also the “First Saturdays” of art events in Evanston… so there will be a lot of other galleries & shows around the area to see… AFTER visiting us of course!!!

Well, we’re just a day away from the start of “4×4″ : FOUR MAKERS”… so today is a going to be a very busy day!!! I’ve still got a lot of projects to finish up, as well as setting up my shelving display & teaching class tonight! Our show goes Friday 2-8, Saturday 10-8:30 & Sunday 12-4. But if you decide to stop by on Saturday, it is also the “First Saturdays” of art events in Evanston… so there will be a lot of other galleries & shows around the area to see… AFTER visiting us of course!!!

Mark your calendars now for “4×4 : FOUR MAKERS” next weekend in Evanston, Illinois. It will be another fun showcase with me & three of “My Talented Friends.” Come see works by metalsmith Sarah Chapman, metal sculptor Darlys Ewoldt & fused glass by Robin Kittleson… plus my pottery obviously!!! We’re be doing a pop-up exhibition & sale at Space 900 Gallery on Dempster in Evanston. We’ll be open Friday night 2:00pm-8:00pm, Saturday 10:00am-8:00pm & Sunday 12:00pm-4:00pm. We’d love to see you… so come by to see some beautiful art, chat with the artists & maybe even go home with something that makes you smile!

For more a sneak peek at Sarah’s work… click here.

For a sneak peek at Darlys’ work…. click here.

For a sneak peek at Robin’s work… click here.

Celebrating another MUGSHOT MONDAY… with a nice post my friend & talented photographer who posted this on Instagram. Great photos, great eye, great guy. You should definitely check out his work on Instagram @ericcraigstudios

You can also check-out his work on his website… www.ericcraigstudioscom