Well, it looks like the collaboration project is finally “collaborating” together! Yep… this year it’s terra cotta flowerpots for the WIN!!! I made all of the flowerpots & water saucers with my stamping, and now Cory is adding her own special sort of handbuilt whimsy! Love her creativity… even more when you see them come together in COLOR!!! More photos to come… as the “Big Reveal” will happen at ART IN THE GARDEN this weekend in Glenview!

And speaking of “laboring” on Labor Day… now that metalsmith Amy Taylor has finished her part of our collaboration with all of her sgraffito doodles on my porcelain pieces, I can now get them into a glaze kiln quickly so they’re done & out in time for next weekend’s ART IN THE GARDEN! This one of the best features of ART IN THE GARDEN… several of the artists work together on different one-of-a-kind collaborations that will only be available next weekend in Glenview. And they’re all limited editions, so you might need to get there early!!!

Looks like Cory McCrory is busy in the studio “laboring” this Labor Day… still making more parts & pieces for our ART IN THE GARDEN collaboration project. We’ll be debuting our one-of-a-kind limited edition pieces next weekend in Glenview!!

After a full day of being “trapped” in the studio firing the soda kiln & cleaning my studio yesterday… it felt extra great to get out on my bike this morning for a little sunrise bike ride. So hard to believe that today is the start of September… wait, what?! When did THAT happen???

So someone commented on my last pumpkin post that the wanted pumpkins with no warts… wait, what?! I believe the warts are what makes them cute & have a personality! The more warts the better!!! More is more!!! But… maybe I’m the only one who feels that way? So I just cranked out another quick batch of pumpkins with no warts!!! We’ll see… they kinda look naked to me?!

Here’s a quick glimpse of a little “sumthin-sumthin” going on in Amy Taylor’s world. Just a little scratching, a little doodling, a little sgraffito-ing! Yes, metalsmiths can play with clay too… especially when it comes to collaboration projects for ART IN THE GARDEN!!! More to come… and mark your calendars for September 7th & 8th!!!

Doing some glazing tonight for my soda kiln firing this weekend. Like these “hybrid mugs” that have been dipped in a flashing slip & now have a layer of tenmoku glaze rubbed in to highlight the textures. You know how I love making mugs… and I love these textures made with MKM Pottery Tools. The perfect combination!

While I am trying to stay focused & productive in the studio… I was surprised when the grayness of this morning cleared up & blue skies came out for the afternoon. And I somehow felt “obligated” to get outside for a quick afternoon bike ride to enjoy the surprisingly beautiful weather!!! I love playing hooky… so much fun… but now it’s back to the studio for the night!!!

Just a quick glimpse into Cory McCrory’s studio as she is working on our collaboration pieces for ART IN THE GARDEN. I see lots of parts & pieces in the making… can’t wait to see how she puts all of these little treasures together!!!

Don’t forget ART IN THE GARDEN is coming soon with lots of great collaboration projects amongst the artists! September 7th & 8th in Glenview. For more details… www.grassrootsartfair.com

Homemade & handmade. Starting my morning with the best english muffins ever!!! Not only did she make the plate, but the multi-talented Cory McCrory is also a talented baker!!! And I LOVE being a beneficiary of her baking obsession. Burp!