So I finally finished up assembling my last class demo from the December session at Lillstreet. It was a final “demo-on-demand” for Dan… a teapot with a knobby handle on the side instead of a normal handle. Honestly, I’ve never made one like this before… but I’m always up for a challenge! Sure, it may have taken awhile, but I think it turned out okay… for my first one! Thanks for the challenge Dan!

Looks like Rosene is getting creative in the garden again… adding some begonias to her stamped & soda-fired teapot. A cute little planter to spruce-up the picnic table on the deck!

Looks like Julie is kicking off a little Teapot Tuesday with a stamped & soda-fired teapot… and a couple “vintage” mugs from a few years back!!! A sweet little Tea For Two!!!

For those of you saw Cory’s amazing teapot in process a couple days back… and were wondering what the final teapot looked like AFTER the final firing??? Well, here you go… and it’s AMAZING!!!

And while you’re at it… be sure to go see more of her work and follow Cory on Facebook!!! Click here!

Here are a few detail shots… all whimsically crafted by Cory!
Some great details & accents that have come out of the COVID-19 lockdown & quarantine. Just a few more signs of the times!!!

While “documenting” the whole concept of Shelter-At-Home… of course Cory had to pay homage to the whole face mask situation! So many people making masks of their own… and Cory making even more, but now on such a small scale!

Notice the clothesline hanging between the teapot & spout…
and the wonderful masks hanging out to dry!

Hopefully there’s some days in our future soon where we won’t need those darn masks any more!!!

So my friend Cory McCrory has been working on a new teapot for an upcoming show. And don’t for a moment think it is a “normal” teapot thrown on the wheel like I would make. Oh no… that’s NOT how Cory rolls!

Instead, Cory makes these elaborate, handbuilt sculptures with paperclay that have made me smile for YEARS!!! We first met at the Hinsdale Fine Arts Fair when our booths were one row away from each other. I could see her work, she could see mine… but we didn’t have a lot of time to go over and look as we were both busy in our booths. But I could already tell from a distance that I was enamored already!!! I finally made it over to her both and instantly fell in love with Cory AND her amazing work!!!

So if you’re NOT following Cory on Facebook or Instagram, you definitely should be!!! She’s been working on this amazing teapot for the past couple weeks… and graciously been sharing photos every step of the way. I’ll post a “teaser” of the finished underglazed version as it goes into the kiln here. But for the full “start-to-finish” Photo Album, click here for a link to her Facebook page.

Things are getting festive around here!
With just over a week left to get all of your holiday shopping done…
make your list and head over to my place this weekend for
MUD & METAL : My Second Holiday Home Show!

It will be a great chance to mark a few people off your gift list!
Saturday 10:00am-6:00pm and Sunday 10:00am-4:00pm. C’mon by!!!

1353 West Rosemont #3, Chicago, Illinois 60660…
the one with the green totem pole in front!!!

Okay, so Day One of the Hinsdale Fine Arts Festival was a bit on the soggy side. Rain all morning to dampen everyone’s spirits. Luckily, pottery only looks better when it’s wet, right?! And when the clouds moved out, the afternoon was much better!

And a couple soda-fired teapots fresh from the kiln…
err, well okay, in the photos they’re still IN the kiln. Technicalities.
Pretty pleased with these regardless of where they are now!

My studio cart down in the kiln room ready for loading. The bands of masking tape are just “safety belts” so everything survives the trip down in the freight elevator. WHEW… made it. Including the teapots glazed & wadded… wouldn’t want to lose another one of them!!!

Last night was the final class & final challenge for my LILLSTREET THROWDOWN class! While we had a few people struggling to find time for this final & largest challenge, we still ahd quite a few amazing entries. Especially amazing as this was the very first teapot for many of my students!!! And just two weeks to finish putting it all together is not a lot of time!

Katie’s sweet little teapot and cups. Her first teapot ever!!!… and as of right now, she’s claiming it might be her last. We’ll see… maybe I can get her to tackle another one next session???

Ryan’s structured slab constructions kind of took on a life of their own… especially when the teapot literally “jumped” off the table and fell om the ground. Luckily, it was still wet enough that he could do a bit of reconstructive surgery in it. We’ll see how this holds up when it gets fired… so far so good.

Chuck’s wheelthrown set dipped in colored slip for an upcoming soda-firing.

Jon’s unique handbuilt teapot… note: the little bumper at the bottom right is just that, a bumper to keep it from rocking backwards white drying or bisque firing. Unfortunately, Jon wasn’t able to complete his cups in time as some birthday celebrations got in the way… totally understandable… PARTY OVER POTTERY!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JON!!!

Richard’s teapot set was very well-constructed with great angles & lines that tied it all together. Very well thought out as you might expect from an architect.

Stephanie’s handbuilt constructions with stenciled slip decorations.

Isabel’s porcelain set… with a smidge of last-minute brilliance of throwing her cups & saucers as one piece and slapping on a handle quick so as to fulfill the challenge in time!

Patty’s porcelain set with sweet cups & saucers.

Taylore’s porcelain teapot & cups… soon to be completed with a handmade brass handle!
My vote for second place!

And the one I chose as best teapot was Catherine’s porcelain precision!

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