Now that my birds have all been assembled, I let them sit in the damp box overnight to even out the moisture levels and let them “stiffen up” just a smidge. So tonight I started attaching them to the lids of the jars. Like avian handles… birds on twigs & leaves. I used a few folded yellow Post-it Notes to help prop-up and support the branches while they set-up. I had hoped to make the birds a bit more realistic… but these make me smile!

So I just posted a bunch of spoon rests on my Online Pottery Shop here on my website. Probably the most “functional” piece I make… better than a piece of paper towel, tin foil or just dropping your goopey spoon on the countertop. A lot of people asked about them… so now they’re posted. Click here to do a little shopping online for spoon rests and a whole lot more!

Or… you can ALWAYS click on “Online Pottery Shopping” in the top, right-hand corner of my blog!

Another wonderful “find” along the lakefront. I love seeing stacked rocks like these randomly along the shoreline. It make me happy to see that they have “survived” and no one has seen it necessary to topple them over! Thank you kind folks!

Okay, so just a little bit of coincidence here…
I actually kinda “know” the kid who builds these here! On that morning back a week or so when we had that odd sunrise rainbow, I happened to pedal past a familiar face. It was potter Joanna Kramer who I’ve know for a few years since her days at Lillstreet Art Center. Apparently, her son is the one who builds these here!!! Who knew?… SMALL WORLD.

Another day under Chicago’s Curfew… so again, no morning sunrise ride. Luckily, I got out for a nice afternoon ride along the lake north of Chicago. A little cloudy and hazy, and more than a little bit sweaty, but still a great afternoon escape!

Okay… so maybe we don’t pay any attention to that flat rear tire in the photo?!

Not quite as fragrant, but loving the wonderful colors, patterns & structure to this bi-color iris that is still blooming in my front yard garden! Gotta love iris season!

Beautiful purple iris blooming in my front yard… just love the fragrant smell as it is always creates such a wonderful childhood flashback memory!

While everyone was quarantined during this corona-craziness, Lillstreet Art Center created a page on their website to help some of their artists during the tough times. Knowing that many of us were facing cancelled art fairs, loss of teaching gigs and no workshops… they created MADE AT LILLSTREET. An online gallery featuring several of their “in-house” artists, teachers & studio members. Please feel free to click on this link to see my current offerings through the Lillstreet Gallery.

And slowly the “flock” is coming together… lots of feathers, lots of wings! The damp box is working great. I don’t do a “lot” of handbuilding… but this commission project requested “birds.”

So I’m giving them BIRDS!!!

It’s been kinda fun to watch these little guys come together. Every little piece you add makes them cuter & more magical.

First it was the tails… but then what a difference a beak can make!

Making leaves & adding heads… and loving the damp box!
Keeping everything in one place and at the right wetness to keep working with things!