You know we potters make mugs… but we also LOVE mugs! And I would say that “most” potters have a mug collection of their own… collecting mugs of friends, teachers & fellow potters from around the world! So it was great to see one of MY mugs “out in the wild”… playing in Marsha’s studio while she’s making mug handles. Kinda Meta… my mug in the studio while she’s making mugs in the studio on Mugshot Monday in Marsha’s studio!

Follow Marsha on Instagram – @marshasclayart

I hate to say it… but I kinda want some clouds!!! Enough of these “perfect” cloud-free mornings. Sure, they’re pretty and all… but I prefer the morning drama of a good cloud being splashed with sunrise color! Enough of this “perfect” stuff…

Okay, so there was one high-point… a group of sunrise runners out there celebrating someone’s birthday – complete with party hats while they ran by!

And I’ve always said… “One of the best parts about biking is stopping!” And so I do… frequently. For a good photo… for a kid’s lemonade stand… for a historical marker… for homemade pie… or just to sit back & relax. Life is not a race. Slow down. Enjoy your surroundings. Appreciate nature. Breathe.

What a beautiful day… blue skies & the feeling of “freedom” all day on my bike! At least until you get to this sign… that makes me laugh EVERY time!!! Yes, the bike trail LITERALLY stops right there!!! Dead end. No more cement. Done. But if you know how to navigate around it, you can easily make it all the way to Waukegan in time for lunch & ice cream! Of course, after several stops along the way… especially for all of the Fall wildflowers along the north shore & Openlands Lakeshore Preserve just south of Fort Sheridan! Enjoy… I know I sure did.

Hard to believe it’s already October! While I want Summer to last forever… I actually LOVE Fall too. And I’m ready to kick-off October with a big bowl of gourds on the table. Thanks to the folks at ART IN THE BARN for selling off their seasonal decorations at the end of the art fair. I came home with a couple bags of pumpkins & gourds! Although we all know that in a side-by-side contest… GOURDS are so much cooler!!!

Second verse, same as the first… another day just like yesterday! Not a cloud in the sky (almost) and very few people out along the lake. Just a couple bikers… and a few runners possibly still training for next weekend’s marathon? Been there, done that… glad I’m not this year! I’d rather be pedaling…

We had beautiful blue skies today… warm temps & not a cloud in the sky! Just a little hazy day lingering downtown. I kept trying to stay focused to get some work done… but instead, my bike won out again! That’s why I’m in the studio tonight!!!

And there it is… after “just a few” stampings! I’m always enamored by how the repetition of just one handmade stamp can transform a smooth platter into a crazy cool textured pattern. Each stamped pressed in one by one… by one… by one…

Here we go… the first stamp is always the toughest. Once you press that first one in, you’ve kinda committed to doing it all. And it’s difficult to stamp with my fingers crossed! HA!!!

Another night in the studio… tackling a class demo platter. Sure, I could leave it smooth & plain, but what fun is that? So instead… time to pick “the right” stamp!!!