For the final class of my Intermediate Wheelthrowing class, we decided to up-the-game by going with THREE “matching” mugs. We started with all of the mugs in brown lunch bags. Then we drew numbers to randomize the choosing of mugs… followed by some fun trading, stealing & switching games! No mug was “safe” until the mug trading hijinks were over!

As the bags were opened, we all got to see each other’s creations… along with a little discussion of technique & glazes… combined with a little bit of critique & the appropriate amount of gushing!

Somewhere along the way, someone picked the brown bag that had Christine’s first mug for the game. Tina opened it up… and the game went crazy! Suddenly the game took a turn… as it suddenly became all about ME… and one of my favorite mottos!!!

Gotta love it!!!
So excited that my pottery mantra has been forever memorialized in clay!!! The fact that “my mug” graces the other side of Christine’s mug is just crazy!!!

We each ended up with a nice trio of mugs! Such a fun way to share & trade… and start-off everyone’s Mug Collection!

In preparation for the final Intermediate Wheelthrowing class last session, I made three “matching” mugs our final trading-stealing-exchanging game! Sure, they may not be TWINS… but they are at least very close cousins! My trio would make a nice set… similar size, similar stamps & similar glazes fired in my last soda kiln. So fun to see them go off to someone’s new Mug Collection!

At the end of the Fall session of my Beginning/Advanced Beginning Wheel class, we did a fun trading-stealing-exchanging game with mugs! We each put in one handmade mug… and came away with someone else’s mug! I got this beautiful porcelain cup with subtle details… and a bright red bottom from Catherine!

Looks like a yummy Thanksgiving meal… homemade food on handmade pottery! So glad that my pottery could part of the holiday celebration. Thanks for the photos Matthew!

If you have photos from your Thanksgiving festivities, I’d love to see them… shoot them over to ‘gary@firewhenreadypottery.com’

Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving today. Last year we ZOOM’ed… but this year I hope you’re finally able to celebrate with some family & friends today… cautiously getting a bit more back to “normal.” Have fun & stay safe while enjoying your pumpkin pie!

With an overnight rain, the gingko leaves came tumbling down… creating carpets of yellow leaves wonderfully spotted with some lingering raindrops!

Thankful for yesterday’s sunrise… but today’s?… not so much. I was hoping that these clouds might turn into something cool as the sun came up… but the sun NEVER came up! Instead, it was just gray, cloudy & SO WINDY!!! But I kept thinking…. with every mile I pedal, I can eat more PUMPKIN PIE!!!

After a string of uneventful, not-a-cloud-in-the-sky freezing cold mornings, it was great to finally get a beautiful sky show worthy of tackling the chilly winds! Incredible sunrise colors this morning across the horizon while the wind was in my face the whole way. But once I turned around, it was an amazing ride with the strong tailwind pushing me all the way home!!!

You gotta love when your friends come to the Holiday Home Show bearing gifts… and super sweet gifts at that!!! Keith & Julie brought me a yummy goodie bag from their candy store in Eureka, Illinois!!! Homemade fudge & marshmallow s’mores pops from MAURIE’S SUGAR SHOPPE!!! Let me just say… the goodie bag is a little “lighter” than it was when they dropped it off… burp!

HUGE THANKS to everyone who came out this weekend for my Holiday Home Show… and thanks to the sun for shining in & hitting the pots on the dining room table just right throughout the day. We’ve officially kicked off the holiday shopping season… giddy-up!!!