I did it, y’all! My friend, who is a beautiful, brilliant, kind woman, asked me to make her a chip and dip. I said yes because my toxic trait is “I can make anything” 😅 Well, I had never thrown one before, and she specifically wanted the divisions so she can put taco toppings in each section. I struggled! First, my bats were terrible (they were a type of board that I thought would be great to use, but instead never released the clay!) I failed there twice before deciding the bats were the problem. Then I threw another one, but the places where I attached the separations kept cracking, the bowl was too leather hard for the attachments, I guessed. So then I made another one, but with shrinkage, it ended up far too small—she wanted something BIG! And then, I made one that I thought was perfect, but the middle section was far too thin on the bottom and it cracked. Cracked in half at the glaze fire! So here, my grand finale, is the last chip and dip with sections that I will ever make 😅🤣 My friend is a big fan of bright and bold colors, often seen wearing a tie dye or ice dye garment that her amazing mother hand-makes for her. I know this was a great learning opportunity. However, I only persevered because I love this person! This was the most clay I’ve ever thrown, it is around 11 pounds of reclaim. I did: Honey Flux all over x3 Then x3 splotches and waves of: Spectrum Cactus, Floating Turquoise, Tiger’s Eye, Bougainvillea, and Amaco Smoky Merlot. Then some splotches of Honey Flux x2 in random locations on top. What do you think?! Did I hit the “tie dye look” target??!!

Things are moving slowly. We are still waiting on permits and bids from contractors. Rebuilding is such a slow process. I have been very busy. Back to work at the beginning of the month, and I signed up to be in a God Spell at the local theater. (This was before the fire.) The play starts on the 13th. Next week I am going to my parents to help them celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.

It is with a completely broken heart that I share the news that our brother, Matthew lost his 4-year battle, and we said our final goodbye to him last night 😢💔 We are still processing this immense loss, and our family truly appreciates all the love, support, and thoughts being sent our way. Please know that while I see and appreciate all your messages, I may not have the energy to reply right now, but every message will be seen and deeply felt 💝 Much love, Sarah 😢

In Friday I took part in my first raku firing. It was so much fun.

@Shane Kio and @Diana Kio congrats on Carolyn's graduation! What a great milestone!