Spinning fast… trimming bottoms… loving my DiamondCore Tools for smooth trimming! A perfect combination when used with my Giffin Grip to help center & hold the mug down for easier trimming!

I’ve been working on another batch of mugs after the Glenview art fair… thrown, stamped & leatherhard… and getting ready to trim the bottoms this afternoon. Ready to use my trimming tools from DiamondCore Tools for clean & smooth trimmings!

Looks like Kristy & Matt are enjoying a “fruity” morning al fresco in their beautiful backyard. Fresh fruits never looked so good as when they’re served in a handmade stamped & soda-fired ceramic bowl!

The hummingbirds must be thrilled… it’s trumpet vine season!
And you’ve got to love these flowers “floating” on these cool vines… albeit an invasive plant. This one is taking over the corner of the building at Lillstreet Art Center!

So yesterday afternoon, there “may” have been a strange sighting outside of Lillstreet Art Center. There was “rumor” of a giraffe standing out on the corner of Montrose & Ravenswood!!! In Chicago?… Shocking, right?! Well, not so shocking for one of my Summer Campers this week who made his life-sized baby giraffe in Sculpture Camp! Murray worked hard on his giraffe… so we just had to show him off to the world!!!

Serene sunrise reflections over Belmont Harbor this morning. Quiet moments with not a cloud in the sky… just a fair share of humidity!

Lots of clouds this morning giving the horizon an ominous look. Crashing waves popping up along the lakeshore… just trying to “catch” them as they splash ashore… without splashing on me!

Just doing a little carving tonight on this little bowl… that I kinda forgot about. It was one of the bowls from my “bowls on purpose” demo hidden under plastic. Too dry to stamp… so I decided to carve patterns into it. Good thing I have a collection of DiamondCore Tools that still carve clean lines even in almost-dry clay!

Looks like my friend Jen has cooked up a yummy dish for dinner… a little couscous & tomato salad. Homemade food always tastes better in a handmade bowl. Thanks for sharing your meal with us… virtually.

So excited to see one of my Intermediate Wheelthrowing student’s pieces show-up on the SHOW-OFF SHELVES at Lillstreet. Kelly made this several weeks back… a wheelthrown donut with colorful frosting & sprinkles! Originally designed to be a “vase” with the big bite as the place that the flowers go! Beautifully done Kelly… now I think we need a full baker’s dozen of them!!!