If you’re a visitor to this site but do not know us personally, you may be confused as to why there is a link to Donate:

Early this spring, our house was destroyed in a gas explosion. No one was home at the time, save our cat, Felix, who emerged from the rubble in one piece. We were, fortunately, away on a long overdue vacation which, unfortunately, was cut short so we could return home and assess.

Interestingly, if you search for our place in Google Maps the satellite image you will see shows the property post-explosion. The destruction was complete.

We lost a lot in the explosion, including our pottery throughout the years, family items, even the windows on our nearby minivan. But as difficult as this has been, we have been determined to see the positive. Our pottery studios and kiln survived. The late House was an old farm house to which we added more than a few of our own touches over the years. Much beloved, it was also clunky collection of “temporary” fixes and stopgap measures, meant to keep it in one piece long enough to build something new. We had nothing “new” in the works at the time. Fate, or something like it, has forced our hand.

In addition to building that house we had always planned, we’ve taken this opportunity to let our daughter, Sadie, build a new gallery/guest house on the site of the old house. It is something we have wanted to add for many years, and are thrilled she has been able to take on this task.

The house itself is being built in a race against time. Wisconsin winters can be harsh.

The idea to accept donations through Paypal is a response to requests from friends and family, people who are eager to help out but aren’t sure what they can do. We are not doing any formal fundraising. You can visit the secure Paypal site here.

You may also be interested in the “Exploded House Series” of pots we’ve made in reaction to this incident. If you familiar with our work you will quickly notice that they are quite different. They have been a fun experiment.

We are choosing to view this incident as an opportunity for new things, and are relieved that no one has been hurt. Ever onward…