When the kiln door is finally unbricked, it’s always nice to take a step back, take a deep breath & admire the work for a second. Appreciating that the firing was a success… that I got some good colors throughout the kiln, and NOT a ton of blasted grayness! Enough admiring… now it’s time to start unloading layer by layer, shelf by shelf, pot by pot…

HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Randal, Fred and the rest of The Rogue Potters on getting a new sign… now looking so “legit” and official. Hard to believe it’s already twelve years since I met the “merry band of Rogue Potters” during the Minnesota Pottery Tour… not an official tour stop, but a great add-on with clever signage on the highway! A talented group of potters… so glad I’ve been able to be part of their journey! The sign looks great guys!!!

Looks like a beautiful breakfast in the making in Stevens Point. Flowers from the garden, a beautiful fruit salad and plenty of pottery to serve in style! Remember, homemade food always tastes better in handmade pottery!

It’s great to see some of the purchases from last weekend’s NORTHERN ILLINOIS POTTERY TOUR. Like this great grouping… it looks like Rhonda did some shopping in Sandwich with Cory, Kenyon, Linda & me! And even better… it looks like she’s already putting them to use!

In Cory’s front yard, she has a little garden “graveyard” of broken pottery… and it’s an “honor” to be included in her graveyard collection! Even if my stamped & soda-fired bowl is only there to prop-up Steven Hill’s cracked platter?! ha…

I “behaved” the whole weekend… until I saw Kenyon’s cups and I just had to have one!!! I think I must have touched them all at least twelve times… narrowing it down slowly… until I finally decided that THIS ONE was the one that “had to” come home with me! Crazy cool design, patterns, glazes & soda-fired effects. Well done Kenyon… and THANK YOU!!! It was great hanging with you guys all weekend in Sandwich!

Whimsical illustrations with kind of a groovy retro vibe by Nancy Gardner…another one of the potters at the Sandwich location of the NORTHERN ILLINOIS POTTERY TOUR.

Layered with technique & style, Linda Lee Kiepke combines her love of clay & illustration in her pottery… another soda-firer at the Sandwich location of the NORTHERN ILLINOIS POTTERY TOUR.

Lindsey Heiden is my “booth neighbor” in the yard…
sharing her whimsical approach & witty attitude shine through!

More beautiful pots by Kenyon Hansen gracing our garden setting. Great style, design & craftsmanship all finished in the soda kiln.