What started out as a class demo on decorative carving… while sharing some of my favorite DiamondCore Tools… turned into this large decorative platter!!! With a thick band of white slip, carvings through the slip to reveal the clay body contrast… and little “berries” of clay on top. Sometimes deciding when to stop is the hardest part!!!

Just a little early morning carving. A quick dinner plate with leatherhard white slip on the rim… before carving with my favorite carving tool from DiamondCore Tools.

After yesterday’s Andersonville Farmer’s Market… I was stocked-up at Stamper Cheeses & prepared for today’s holiday… who knew?! So here I am with my favorite blue cheese & blue cheese-layered Brie… for NATIONAL MOLDY CHEESE DAY!!! Yummy!!!

It’s my BIGGEST art fair of the summer… well, technically kicking-off Fall. I will once again be in the Lower Barn with my double booth in E4 & E6. And I’ve been working long hours in the studio getting everything ready for this one. Not only will I have all of the mugs & bowls… but also some special “wall art pieces” that don’t get to travel to art fairs in my tent. As well as all of the newest Limited Edition “Creepy Clowns” for THE GHOULS COLLECTION… and pumpkins & other Halloween decor fun! Be sure to stop by this weekend… and bring some friends!!! It looks like it’s going to be a WONDERFUL weekend out in Barrington!!!

We’re just about a week away… and I still have a lot of work to get done, glazed & fired before ART IN THE BARN in Barrington. Sure, I have some new platters & bowls ready to go… but I’m still working on my newest Halloween Ghouls!!! Racing towards the deadline as usual.

Same stamp on a large platter! More surface to decorate means more impressions! A larger platter with one stamp… pressed in one by one by one… over & over & over again!!!

Just a little stamped design on a new dinner plate… aka Tuesday night’s class demo! I threw the plate in class, and then it sat under plastic until it was ready to stamp this morning!

A very special THANK YOU to everyone who came out for the NORTHERN ILLINOIS POTTERY TOUR this weekend. I know all of artists at the Sandwich location appreciated everyone who made the trek out to the country to see some pottery! We loved seeing all of you! Thanks to all the pottery-lovers out there that keep this event growing year after year. And if you didn’t make it this year… start planning now for next year!!!

Not a bad day at the art fair today! It’s always nice to win a prize ribbon… and sell a bunch of pots at the same time! Were there again tomorrow from 10:00am-5:00pm at the SCHAUMBURG PRAIRIE ARTS FESTIVAL. Be sure to stop by… my now “award-winning” booth to say “Hi” tomorrow! Ha!!!

Well, here we go!!! Let the summer art fair season begin!!! Yes, this weekend will be the kick-off to my schedule. And several people have asked… so “YES the Schaumburg Prairie Arts Festival is still ON” even with all of the construction around the Municipal Center location. There is apparently a LOT of construction and the booth locations have been all re-arranged. I will be located on the far other side of the pond for the first time…. Booth #98. I’m sure there will be detours & signs… but I also know the artists will truly appreciate those who make the added effort to stop by & support the local artists this weekend.