Summer Done

So the summer was very full of shows. It went well. We sold lots of pottery! Thank you for your support if you came and made purchases. I was so glad to see you! Thanks to my family for following me around all summer, riding in our hot van, and being 'daddy's best supporters' (:

Using Your Favorite Things - Everyday!

Pottery -- we use it everyday! Do you? A while ago, my wife and I, talked about using our favorite things, rather than keeping them for special occasions. Since I spend so much time making pottery, it only seems to make the most sense that we use it everyday! It is one of my favorite things.

Here you see square plate and bowl with a dinner creation from our garden. Yeah for summer!

KIDS DAY, CLASSES and more

Studio6thB, the community studio, that houses my pottery, Dutch Lake Pottery, is hosting several events in the month of February. Come on over!

KIDS DAY -- Saturday, Feb. 6th 10-12 or 1-3
A variety of projects will be available for making and taking (after firing), as well as clay games for fun! Cost is 10 dollars per child, or 25 dollars for a family. Children ages 3-12 years old welcome. This includes take home of one project, as well as snacks/drinks, and FUN! Other projects may be taken home for 5 dollars a piece. Signup with Jeff at jeff@dutchlakepottery.com Space is limited, so signup TODAY!

VALENTINE CLAY DATE -- Friday, Feb. 12 7:30 to 9:00
This event is to create an unusual date setting to have fun creating a pottery piece together. Three projects will be prepared so you do not need any previous experience, just desire to have fun together. Cost is 25 dollars per couple. Bring your favorite beverage; Snacks and dessert provided. Signup with Jeff at jeff@dutchlakepottery.com Space is limited, so signup now.

ADULT POTTERY CLASS -- Mondays, starting Feb 8th through March 15 7:00 to 9:00
In this 6 week class we will make functional pieces, serving platters, and handbuilt dinnerware, using textures and forms to create pieces, from beginner to advanced welcome. I will show you techniques and tricks learned over the years as a production potter. Classes taught by me, Jeff Rottman. Cost is 90 dollars. This includes supplies and firing. Space is limited so contact Jeff at jeff@dutchlakepottery.com to signup.

Twenty Dirty Hands Tour

Paul Eshelman, a long standing potter, from Elizabeth, Illinois, invited Dutch Lake Pottery to come to his studio last weekend for the Twenty Dirty Hands Tour in Galena and Elizabeth. It was a pleasure to join him and other friend potter, Joe, in showing our wares on Main Street ! My little family came along and we enjoyed our trip to a new place and with the Eshelman family. You can find his pottery at http://www.eshelmanpottery.com/ and tour information at www.twentydirtyhands.com

See you there next year ??

An Award

Last weekend at the Reed's Lake Clothesline Art Festival in Grand Rapids, I was happily surprised to win the 3rd place Best of Show Award! Thanks to the Grand Valley Artists for their wonderful votes.

Summer Shows Under Way

Well you may wonder why you never see me in person anymore ~ I will be moving about the country this summer at shows 11 shows in a row! Hope you come visit me there. This weekend I am in Chicago at the Evanston Show. I had high hopes of rolling out my new line of work with sushi sets and place settings. However, the kiln is still a'roaring as we speak. Look soon for some new images and items for sale. Until then, happy art buying!

a grand dinner

My studio - Sixth Street Bridge Clay Studio - hosted 'a grand dinner' a dinnerware event last weekend. Participating artists included, myself and Dutch Lake Pottery, Jacob Koster, and Mari Star Golub. Each artist created a table with their own pottery and accompanying decor. The event was a success and hopefully started a new tradition! See you next year for a much 'grand'-er celebration.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Spring is coming!

Our family made a trip to the Frederick Meijer Gardens already this spring to see the butterflies in bloom! Outside the trees are attempting to bud and the grass is looking a tad more green than a few weeks ago. If only the spring weather would stay and stop teasing us all!

Spring has come for Dutch Lake Pottery!! -- I just completed the first 'sign of spring' show at the West Michigan Potter's Guild sale here in Grand Rapids this past weekend. Thanks to all the loyal customers who visit me there. It gave me the itch for all the upcoming shows.

Look soon for a spring and summer schedule of my travels!

Make a Smilebox slideshow Greetings to you from our family to yours this holiday season. We pray you have had a wonderful year and that the new year will be a continued blessing from our Lord! With love, Jeff, Gretchen, Elem and Maris Rottman

Fall Shows

Fall Show Schedule

Beneath the Wreath November 7-9
West Michigan Potters Guild November 14-15

New Baby in Town!

So I haven't shared much about my family in the past - but wanted to share with you in the birth of our daughter - Maris Kate Rottman. She was born on September 7th and now makes our family a family of 4 ! She is now already 8 weeks old and very cute.

I am cranking out the pots these days! The summer has been a very full schedule with shows each weekend, as well trying to stay afloat with inventory. But I am so thankful for my new studio space. It has allowed me to be much more efficient and organized.

2008 Spring and Summer Schedule

The Spring and Summer shows have begun ..... starting tomorrow, Saturday, May 10th, I will be in Birmingham, Michigan at the Birmingham Art Festival. The rest of my plans are listed below:

June 7 - 8 57th Street Art Fair, Chicago, IL
June 14 - 15 Wells Street Art Fair, Chicago, IL
June 21 - 22 Clay and Glass Art Show, Royal Oak, MI
June 27 - 29 Crosby Gardens Festival of the Arts, Toledo, OH
July 11 -12 Cain Park Art Fair, Cleveland, OH
July 16 - 19 Ann Arbor Art Fairs, Ann Arbor, MI
July 26 - 27 Northshore Festival of the Arts, Chicago, IL
August 2 - 3 Loring Park Art Festival, Minneapolis, MN
August 8 - 9 Gold Coast Art Fair, Chicago, IL

Sleeping blog - new information on the way!

So I have been sleeping a bit in the blog department. Things have gotten a bit busy in the 'making pottery' world. I have been accepted into numerous shows for the summer - schedule to be posted soon! -- as well as have begun using my own studio space. I can't wait to share some photos with you of the new space. Come back soon and take a look.

Update on the recent days of DLP

So my days and weeks are filled with applying to shows for the spring and summer, as well as organizing the business paperwork and advertising. I have also been spending numerous hours making pots - to stock up for the upcoming events. I am working to fulfill the orders placed at the Living and Giving show in Chicago that I attended mid January. And....yep, waiting for YOU to place an order or stop by to pick up some great pots!

Upcoming Events

Here's a bit of information on upcoming events where you can purchase my work:

West Michigan Potter's Guild Annual Fall Show
Friday, November 9
12:00 noon - 9:00 PM
Saturday, November 10
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Show held at the Cultural Center of St. Nicholas Church
located at2250 East Paris SE, Grand Rapids
http://www.westmichiganpottersguild.com/

UICA Holiday Artist's Market
Friday, November 30
4:00 - 5:00 PM -UICA Members’ Preview Reception
5:00 - 9:00 PM - Holiday Party and Sale with Cash Bar
Saturday, December 1
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM - Sale with Cash Bar
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Children’s Workshop
Show held at the Urban Institute of Contemporary Art
located at 41 Sheldon Blvd SE, Grand Rapids
http://www.uica.org/

Some of my favorites

Beneath the Wreath

I will be selling my pottery this weekend at Beneath the Wreath, a fundraising event for the Junior League of Grand Rapids. This will be my 3rd year at the show. I look forward to seeing past customers and vendor friends. It runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Come and take a look - get inspired for the holiday season. The information on this show can be found at the following link -- http://www.juniorleaguegr.com/fr_2.asp

Wish you were here

So, you are wondering about my experience at Ox-Bow right? Well, two of my works from the week residency are now on display at the Holland Area Arts Council in an exhibt entitled "Wish you were here!" It is an exhibit of work from many different artists who spent residency time at Ox-Bow. The Arts Council is located at 150 East 8th Street in Holland. The show runs from November 1 till December 1. We attended the opening reception and enjoyed our time seeing all the different works created in the past summer and year.

Another show - done!

I just returned last night from Novi, Michigan where I completed yet another show....The Sugarloaf Art Fair at the Rock Financial Showplace. The weather was beautiful this weekend. That was a nice surprise, but I think it kept people away from the show, as it was inside! The link for this show is as follows -- http://www.sugarloafcrafts.com/

I am back in GR now, planning and working towards the November and December shows on my agenda. Christmas time is coming!