We’re just a week away from ART IN THE GARDEN… and it looks like
“My Talented Friends” metalsmith Amy Taylor & ceramic artist Cory McCrory
are working together on something special. Can’t wait to see the Big Reveal next weekend!

ART IN THE GARDEN : Saturday, September 12th & Sunday, September 13th.

The mastermind and gracious host for our Grassroots Art Fair is my friend Amy Taylor. I’ve known Amy for several years and have quite the collection of her pieces that I wear on a regular basis. You may have met her already on the art fair circuit… or as a Guest Artist at one of my December Holiday Home Shows. Her work is simple & clean, well-designed.. and often with a sense of whimsy! She has a tendency to work with some unique materials which I LOVE!!! I have two necklaces that are made out of vintage bowling balls. I have another one that is made out of the layers of old paint scraped off the floor at a car manufacturing plant. Crazy cool. Okay, sure… she also makes these beautiful, refined and elegant pieces as well. She’s got it all covered. Something beautiful for everyone!!!

According to Amy…
“My jewelry: is made of 14k and 18k gold and sterling silver. It is completely constructed (no cast elements) with an emphasis on unique hinge work, gemstone color juxtapostions, as well as found objects such as beach glass and rock. My influences are primarily architecture and nature, and my work is clean and simply executed.”

For more information or to see more of Amy’s work, click here for her website.

Click here for updates, photos and to follow “Art In The Garden” on Facebook.

So we’re just under three weeks away… and I’m frantically getting ready for my next art fair. It’s a smaller & more intimate show with great art by some of My Talented Friends. It’s our second year in this quaint garden setting. We had a great show last year, so we’re hoping to make it even better this year! Just a few tents. Talented friends. Great art. None of the hassles of those big shows!

Mark your calendars for the second weekend of September.
Saturday, September 12th & Sunday, September 13th, 2015 : 10:00am-5:00pm

Then stop by the garden to see the artists, chat with my friends and see some great art.
All in a beautiful backyard setting… not a congested city park!

Click here for updates, photos and to follow “Art In The Garden” on Facebook.

Today was a fun day down at the 57th Street Art Fair. I think it’s always fun to visit some of “My Talented Friends” at their art fairs on weekends when I’m free. Great art to see, and a fun time to show your support. We all know how long those art fair days can be… and a few minutes of “fun friend diversion” can make all the difference. So today I pedaled my bike down to Hyde Park for the fair. The tailwind getting there was fantastic… the return ride home wasn’t quite so much fun. A better workout though.

Sarah Chapman made her return to Chicago in style with her beautiful jewelry designs… and a fancy new award ribbon for her collection. Now based in Minneapolis, my friend Sarah has quite the following of loyal customers here in Chicago all seeking out her beautiful jewelry. Some of “us” have quite the collection of her work… and by “us” I mean ME.

Roberta Polfus was there with her beautiful “mini” carved vases, vessels and pods. All with such wonderful textures and glaze effects… and some really sweet flowers from her garden!

Metalsmith Amy Taylor specialized in sterling silver jewelry that incorporates hinges!!! Beautiful metal work and stunning stones come together for some pretty wonderful jewelry.

Delores Fortuna comes in from Galena for the show – along with her beautiful porcelain pottery.

And Nancy Gardner with her whimsically painted pieces with such a rich & wonderful color palette.

Today was a wonderful day. So much fun seeing all of my friends… and hanging out with Sarah & Jules. Nice weather too… but the prediction for tomorrow is not so good. The art fair organizers actually offered up an option to the artists to stay late on Saturday, and then pack-up early to avoid the storms. Unheard of. We’ll see what tomorrow brings… and how many of them decide to stick it out and how many decide to go home tonight?! Glad I went down there today…

Good to see that everyone in the family gets to use some Fire When Ready Pottery!!!
Even Lazlo, the cute little one-eyed kitty who lives with my friend & metalsmith Amy Taylor.

A huge “Holiday Thank You” to everyone who stopped by today for “MUD & METAL.”
It was so much fun for Amy and I to see everyone, share stories and help check a few gifts off your holiday shopping lists. We had a great time… and we hope you did too! Thanks for playing. And thanks for shopping handmade, shopping local and for supporting local artisans. We both appreciate your generosity and continued loyalty.

And you weren’t the only ones doing some shopping today.
Guess who has two new “presents” for himself?… ME!!!

Here are my two new pieces from Amy Taylor. First, I knew I had to have one of her new “adorbs.” So happy. So funny. So much like looking in a mirror! And one more necklace pendant that kept shining and calling my name. It’s an actual red reflector! So much fun!!! I love Amy’s style and sense of whimsy!!!

Sure to bring a smile to your face… look at these little cuties that Amy Taylor has been making just in time to debut at “Mud & Metal” this Saturday at my place!!! Come early… I’m sure these “Adorbs” are going to go fast!!!

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the beautiful work that my friend Amy Taylor makes. Wonderful designs, stunning stones and classy style.

She’s known for putting hinges in her pieces so they all have a great wiggle & swivel to them. No promise that these actually pieces will be at my place Saturday… but there will be a LOT more just like ’em to whet your whistle!!!

Still trying to check some names off your holiday gift list?
Well this Saturday might be the perfect chance!!!

Stop by my place between 10:00am-6:00pm for some great handmade gifts. Plenty of pottery in every room of my condo AND wonderful jewelry by my metalsmith friend Amy Taylor. And heck, while you’re at it… why not get a gift or two for yourself too?!!!

Two weeks from today… a second Holiday Home Show at my place.
Mud & Metal : A Collaborative Holiday Show.

Make your list, check it twice, then mark your calendar for December 13th.
The perfect chance to finish off your holiday shopping… handmade pottery
AND wonderful jewelry by my friend Amy Taylor!!!