Well, this is what happens when you’re so accustomed to using your handy-dandy Giffin Grip … and need to go back to the “old-school” way of centering & trimming your pots. I had a lot of cylinders to trim… and one of them got away from me!!! Flew right off the wheel. Even my wonderful trimming tools from DiamondCore couldn’t save this one!

You know how I LOVE my Giffin Grip!
It’s such a wonderful pottery tool that makes centering & trimming so much easier! And I was banking on it for trimming all of the commission mugs! So imagine my surprise when I put it on the wheel and it wasn’t centered any more?!!! Apparently one of the black clips on the underside had cracked from over-use!

Luckily my studio neighbor was there… and tried to fix it for me with some plumber’s putty and a big vise clamp! I know they sell replacement parts, but we’re hoping this might work!!!

Always fun to see my students so pleased with their work. Like Helen & Susaan showing off some of their sgraffito pieces carved during our SURFACE DECORATION class last session!

Big sky drama over the lake calls for a big panoramic photo! From the colorful clouds to the Chicago skyline off in the hazy distance.

Celebrating a little TEXTURE TUESDAY with one of my stamped, soda-fired & handbuilt square vases. I love how the dried allium blossoms work so well with the wavy pattern of the vase. Thanks so much for sharing your vase & flowers with all of us Rhonda!

Crazy cool smoke bush “flowers” covering the dark purple leaves. This one is in front of Lillstreet… as the smoke bush in my front yard hasn’t started “flowering” quite yet!

More rain. More raindrops. At least these trumpet vine flowers are enjoying the rain… and I’m enjoying the raindrops hanging on the flowers! Looks like the ants are pretty pleased too!!!

Big sky drama over the lake calls for a big panoramic photo! From the colorful clouds to the Chicago skyline off in the hazy distance.

Before the rain. Before the gray skies. Before the sunrise… I started pedaling early this morning. It was a nice morning with great clouds… and a TON of humidity! I was already sweating within the first five minutes on my bike! You could practically “feel” the rain storm moving in. But photos first… and miles to pedal… safely home with 15 minutes to spare! Whew!!!

Working on the mugs again… spending some time stamping the geometric patterns! Pretty pleased so far finding out that the new stamps are working well. Making the quantities as requested… plus a few extras “just in case” something happens along the way! Perfect for another MUGSHOT MONDAY!