Welcome to October: Autumn Updates from my Chicago Studio
A more accurate title might be “Welcome to Mid-October,” but I’m excited to share the latest from my life—both in and outside of the ceramics studio—nonetheless.
September flew by, with nearly every weekend packed to the brim with family, friends, or travel. I attended three different weddings, each a unique and beautiful celebration of love. I also welcomed family from out of town to Chicago and had fun playing tourist while sharing my new city with them. Another weekend was spent back in my home state of Wisconsin, where I reconnected with friends, visited family, and enjoyed an extended weekend of relaxation before diving into holiday prep. I’m not sure I can remember a month more full of laughter and love.
October, on the other hand, is being spent mostly in the studio, getting ready for the holiday season. I’m in full swing crafting handmade planters, vases, mugs, and more for my shop partners across the country. I’m currently fulfilling large-scale orders that will be available in stores across Illinois, Wisconsin, California, New York, Washington, and beyond.
These new ceramic collections will ship between late October and early December—perfect for holiday hosting, handmade gifts, or thoughtful home decor. You can find a full list of shop partners on my website [here].
For those local to Chicago, you’ll be able to shop for handmade ceramics in person with me this holiday season, with a few dates already on the calendar for October and November.
On Sunday, October 19, from 12–4 PM, and Saturday, November 29, from 11 AM–4 PM, I’ll be hosting my monthly Open Studio event. Once a month, you’re invited to the studio to shop handmade pottery, tour the space, and meet the maker—no RSVP needed! The studio is located at 4541 N. Ravenswood Avenue in the beautiful Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago.
I’m also thrilled to announce that I’ll be a vendor at the Local Edition Market on Saturday, November 23 from 10am-3pm at the Walden in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood—you can grab free tickets online [here].
If you’re wondering what I’m most excited to create this holiday season, here’s a hint: something new from my favorite collaborator, Garrett Becker Violins. I’ve also added two new bowl styles to my tableware offerings—trinket dishes and Viv bowls—pieces that are in daily rotation in my home and that I hope will be a welcome addition to yours. I use the trinket dishes in the kitchen for mise en place and around the house for change or jewelry. The Viv Bowls are an all-time favorite and my go-to for grain bowls or salads. You can shop the new handmade tableware[here].
While the studio is my main focus right now, I’m also doing my best to enjoy my favorite fall traditions. I’ve already rewatched one of my favorite animated series, Over the Garden Wall; eaten homemade pumpkin pie made from pumpkins my parents grew; and picked out a variety of decorative gourds for my dining table.
Autumn, for me, is all about the flavors—ginger, cardamom, molasses, and pumpkin. These spicy, warming notes are what I crave while everyone else is reaching for Starburst, Reese’s Cups, or, in my partner’s case, candy corn.
This time of year, there’s always a mug of hot tea next to me or a slice of pumpkin bread on a plate. In a perfect world, I’d be enjoying them by a cozy fire with a good book—but next to a warm kiln in my studio is a wonderful second.
Thank you for sharing the start of the season with me. Want to be the first to hear about ceramic restocks, studio events, or limited-edition releases? Sign up for my monthly ceramics newsletter [here].