This “shit” is getting real… all pun intended.
It’s one thing to see all of this craziness going down on the TV news… but it’s another thing when it’s in your own local neighborhood Jewel grocery store! No toilet paper, paper products or cleaning supplies on the shelves. I’m still good… but this is just WEIRD!!!

I’m sure this is not a surprise, but my first art fair of the season has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic we’re all suffering through. As everyone is social distancing & self-isolating, please keep in mind that there are a lot of self-employed artists out there who will be scrambling to find new ways to get though this. We are a tough, innovative & resilient group… but this is all new & different for all of us! Watch here on my Facebook page for some upcoming flash sales… for those of you who might a “need” a new mug or something else to brighten your day while you’re still stuck in the safety of your own home!

And thanks to the folks at Prairie View Arts for inviting me back to their show this year… and for making the right decision to cancel this show. It’s a great art show with a great group of people. A tough decision to make… but necessary during these tough times.

It’s a combo today… it’s TEXTURE TUESDAY and St. Patrick’s Day…
so I thought I’d capture my purple shamrock in front of some textured rattles!

Cheers to the endings of the Pottery Throwdowns!!! The British TV Show aired its finale this week for “The Great Pottery Throw Down.” Click the link below to watch the final episode. Coincidentally, our LILLSTREET THROWDOWN “finale” class was this week also!!! We had a great class, great project, and GREAT FUN!!! More photos & stories to come… until then, see who won the British version!

Click here to watch the final episode on YouTube!

So their FINAL CHALLENGE was to build an entire tea set… based on the Alice In Wonderland stories. They each took a different approach, some more literal, some more whimsical, some more “handmade.”

And yes… HE CRIED AGAIN!!!
We love when Judge Keith breaks into tears…
but at the same time, kinda hate when he breaks into tears!
Enough already… sometimes IT”S JUST CLAY!

No. spoilers here… WHICH POTTER WILL WIN???
Will it be Matt?… or Rosa?… or Jacob?
You’ve got to watch to find out!!!

And yes… one of them will win the “big” POTTERY THROW DOWN trophy!!!

We still have reasons to celebrate, right?! It’s NATIONAL PIE (pi) DAY… and I just couldn’t decide! Thank You to the best little pie cafe at Lillstreet… First Slice Cafe!

HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to CHRISTINE!!!

The big winner of our LILLSTREET THROWDOWN class. Christine never failed to impress with her colorful creativity, her refined throwing & finishing skills and her great enthusiasm. She embraced every challenge along the way. Well done Christine!!! You definitely deserved the big trophy!

Also congrats to Tracy who came in second, and Dana who came in third. They all did a wonderful job – continuing to impress me every time they brought their finished pieces to the next critique & judging!

You are all AMAZING!!!

Because every good competition needs a good trophy… I also made a golden & glittery ceramic trophy for the big winner of Season Three of our own LILLSTREET THROWDOWN!!! Of course it needed a few stamps as well…

All that was left for the LILLSTREET THROWDOWN were the prizes!!!
I made colorful ribbons for everyone… first, second, third… and a few extra special ones for my extra special students!

As the LILLSTREET THROWDOWN came to an end last night, my class surprised me with a sweet Thank You card & gift. And for the record… the gift was indeed SWEET… from Big Fat Cookie in Chicago!!! I must admit, this group was a pleasure to teach… always so eager to play along with my crazy pottery games & challenges! They truly rocked it out this session… Thank You to each and every one of them!

For my THROWDOWN “Decorating With An Oreo” Challenge… there wasn’t a time deadline. So I decided to challenge them back. I had until one of them could successfully “Face The Cookie” to complete my bowl decoration. Yes, you know the game… put a cookie on your forehead, and then wriggle, scrunch & squirm until you can get the cookie into your mouth with no hands! I had plenty of time, and a few good laughs, until Dana finally got the cookie off her face and into her mouth!!! Fun for all.