Not wanting the excitement to pass too quickly… I slowly started to open the boxes.
You’ve got to love surprise Care Packages… and the great friends who send them!!!

And it started with LOTS of styrofoam peanuts… which tumbled out everywhere!!!

And then there were more boxes “floated” inside the bigger box…

Lots of bubble wrap… lots of peanuts… lots of shrinkwrap… all incredibly well-packed…

Soon enough, some of the pottery began to reveal itself…

Last night I received two large cardboard boxes at the studio. I knew I hadn’t ordered anything lately so I was pretty intrigued. A close look at the return address, and I had a pretty good idea that a LOT of beautiful things were waiting inside…

We made it up to the Fifth Floor of the Bridgeport Art Center last night during their “Third Fridays” Open Studio Night. It was great to see all of the beautiful works up there of our friend Jay Strommen lining the hallways. He’s one of those “crazy” masterminds who creates incredible pieces… nothing that you would EVER expect. These wonderful wall pieces started as a “deconstruction” of the ceramic process using conventional materials in unconventional ways. They are wood fired with recycled glass accents.

This triptych is literally three kiln shelves layered with ceramic materials and then fired. You’ve got to love the layers, textures & details that literally “suck you in” to piece. The closer you look, the cooler it gets!

Another wood-fired tablet that looks kinda like a slab of Jasper stone.

A smaller, square tablet with layers of “clay” materials and a wonderfully shallow puddle of recycled glass… and a couple of drips along the way!

Each one more precious than the next… layers, textures, colors, glass…

And then there’s THIS masterpiece!!!
A large grouping of pieces lining the hallway. Each one spectacular. And the whole lot of them FANTASTIC!!! With carved circles, layered ceramic materials and incredible pools of turquoise glass. The cracking & fracturing of the glass is incredible as the light bounces around “inside” the piece.

So there’s a quick overview of Jay’s amazing work. For more information
about Jay’s work, he’s represented by Perimeter Gallery in Chicago.

While we were there, we also got a quick tour of his living space. The Bridgeport Art Center was recently rezoned as a “live/work” facility. So he & Gina are renovating a space in the Bridgeport Art Center as their living quarters. Complete with illuminated “floating” floor areas and a beautiful view of the Chicago River.

Jay then took us on a quick tour of the Fifth Floor space that is going to become the new Bridgeport Clay Center. It’s a beautiful lofted space with with a lot of history. Jay walked us through and showed us where the walls, the wheels, the wedging tables and everything else will be. The kiln room is just off to the side… under construction with two kilns already inside!!! It’s going to be a wonderful adventure & opportunity as another Clay Center comes to fruition under the watchful eyes of clay-genius Jay Strommen!

Today’s the Day. My second Holiday Home Show : MUD & METAL.
My dining room table is covered with wonderful beauties by my friend Amy Taylor… surrounded by shelves full of my pottery in every room of my condo. You’ve still got plenty of time to swing by this afternoon for some MUD & METAL. Did I mention cookies & brownies too?

We’re open until 6:00pm this evening… and there’s plenty for everyone!!!
Plenty of cookies too…

Sure to bring a smile to your face… look at these little cuties that Amy Taylor has been making just in time to debut at “Mud & Metal” this Saturday at my place!!! Come early… I’m sure these “Adorbs” are going to go fast!!!

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the beautiful work that my friend Amy Taylor makes. Wonderful designs, stunning stones and classy style.

She’s known for putting hinges in her pieces so they all have a great wiggle & swivel to them. No promise that these actually pieces will be at my place Saturday… but there will be a LOT more just like ’em to whet your whistle!!!

In addition to her jewelry collection, this year at The One-Of-A-Kind Show this year, Sarah is also showing off some of her new sculptural work. A “constellation” of beautiful wall pieces. Each one a beautiful in it’s own right… but we all know that a grouping of three, five or ALL of them would be much better!!!

The two larger pieces have a wonderful blue color to them. Some sort of chemical “etching” process to force the brilliant blue patina. And then the “accent piece” is actually a separate pendant that comes with a chain necklace so you can wear it too! The whole idea is brilliant!!! Not only is the wall piece beautiful, and the pendant gorgeous, but the “stand” that hods the pendant is beautifully incorporated into the overall design as well. She’s a smart one!

The others have stones & gems “stitched” into them. Beautiful textures, colors, patterns and patinas. What’s not to love with such wonderful layers of fun?!

So there they are… wonderful, sculptural wall pieces by Sarah Chapman. Each one a beauty… even cooler as a grouped constellation!

And just for the record… the stunning necklace that she was “modeling” yesterday in this photo sold and went to a very good home. But there are plenty of others stunners waiting for you today at One-Of-A-Kind.

Okay, so she may have moved to Minneapolis… but, Sarah’s here in Chicago this weekend at The One-Of-A-Kind Show down at the Merchandise Mart. She makes wonderful jewelry with incredible craftsmanship. Beautiful gems, stones & shells encased in beautifully designed mountings. I must admit that I already have “quite the collection” of Sarah’s wonderful work. One of the many benefits of having Talented Friends. For more of Sarah’s work, click here for her website… or click on the link to her page in the right column of my blog.

She’s at The One-Of-A-Kind Show for one more day… today!
And I’ll be down there again this afternoon helping her in her booth.
If you would like to stop by, she’s in Booth #2118. If you need free tickets, click here.

And trust me, her work looks a whole LOT better without this weird yellow tint
my camera picks up from her display lighting!

And a showy “boat” pendant whose shadow is equally as cool…

C’mon down to The One-Of-A-Kind Show at the Merchandise Mart.
I’ll be here all day helping my friend Sarah Chapman in Booth #2118.

She makes incredible jewelry. Perfect holiday gifts for everyone on your list…
including me!!!      hint, hint…

Two weeks from today… a second Holiday Home Show at my place.
Mud & Metal : A Collaborative Holiday Show.

Make your list, check it twice, then mark your calendar for December 13th.
The perfect chance to finish off your holiday shopping… handmade pottery
AND wonderful jewelry by my friend Amy Taylor!!!