17 January 2010

Birthday Contest!

Born in '55, today I turn 55 myself! I don't need any presents, believe me, as just being healthy and back in the studio is all a man could wish for. And, of course, the whole world has been taking care of me and bringing me treats for months now. I'm not sure I can handle much more kindness...!

In honor of J.R.R. Tolkein and the hobbits he wrote about(*), I am announcing a new contest/giveaway. The mugs here are the prize. The one on the left with the 'googly eyes' was fired in my kiln and the heavily salted one on the right was made in England last summer at Toff and Georgie's. I'll send it to you anywhere in the world if you win. The winner's name will be drawn on the 31st of January. The only catch is: I'm not telling you the rules until then! Good Luck!

(*) Hobbits give presents on their birthday rather than receive them. I've always liked that idea.

38 comments:

Margaret Brampton said...

Beautiful mugs! Cann't imagine how this is going to work but I'll keep an eye on your posts.

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hobbits also have hairy feet, but that's neither here nor there. I'd love to win either of those mugs--they are gorgeous. That would be unfair, however, since I am within reach of Dan Finnegan Potteryland almost every day!

Tracey Broome said...

hmmmm...... quite a mystery! Ironically, we finally saw the third in the Lord of the Rings trilogy this week, such a long movie, but what a spellbinding story! Look forward to seeing what you have up your sleeves Frodo!

Michi said...

Happy Birthday! Lovely mugs. I can't miss my chance to get in on the contest and so that means my days of "lurking" must end. Appreciate your blog and am glad you're better.

cookingwithgas said...

Happy Birthday!
You are such a young man!
I hope you have many more birthdays.
I think I am hobbit related, short, a little wide, with wide hobbit feet and I love mushrooms.
And I love mysteries....

-Rob, Simple Circle Studios said...

Alles gut zum Geburtstag! Interesting concept, what with the secret rules and all, sounds fun. On a completely unrelated note, you have quite an astounding beard, sir! Would that I had one as grand some day...

cindy shake said...

Happy Birthday to you!

Ron said...

Happy Birthday Mr. Finnegan! Wondeful mugs!

klineola said...

Hi Dan, Χρόνια πολλά, φίλε μου! Ελπίζω είχατε μια υπέροχη μέρα και σας εύχομαι πολλά περισσότερα να έρθουν. Δεν μπορώ να περιμένω να ακούσω περισσότερα σχετικά με το διαγωνισμό. Δεν μπορώ ποτέ να έχουν αρκετό κούπες DF στο ντουλάπι. Να είστε καλά.

Anna M. Branner said...

Happy Birthday Dan! Hope you had a great day. I disagree with Elizabeth, to heck with unfair, Im in! :)

FetishGhost said...

I'm with you... any year that I'm still kick'n is another fantastic year to hand out the party favors.
Happy BirthDay!

Kyle Carpenter said...

Both cups are beautiful. Happy Birthday!

Anonymous said...

is the answer,...34? yes! i win..nice mugs, i am in..

Hollis Engley said...

Lovely mugs, Daniel. And happy birthday from us and the cats. Many, many more. And I will, of course, enter the so-called contest.

Unknown said...

Hey Dan, Happy Birthday -- I too am a 1955 baby -- but younger than you by almost a year!! I see Michael Kline sent you a Tengwar repy -- I think I have a translator around somewhere if you want to figure out what he said -- See you soon, I hope, Susan

Hannah said...

Happy Birthday to you Dan slightly taller than the average hobbit Finnegan, hope you had a very enjoyable day.
Contests without rules? I like it, I think. At a rough guess my answer would include grated lemons and elephant riding goliath beetles but if I'm wrong and that's an insult then please accept my grovelling appologies.
H
x

klineola said...

@imayit: I wish I could have pulled it off, but went with the greek instead. It had the look anyway. Tengwar(Elvish) is a beautiful alphabet and anybody who's interested can learn more here.

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday to you. And Happy Birthday to me. I turn 42 on the 21st.

Incognito said...

I have always been more comfortable giving than receiving, though I'm getting a bit better at it. Birthdays can be tricky that way, but I find if I really listen, the person whose birthday it is usually tells me somehow of their wish(es). Those are my favorite "a-ha" moments. When I don't have those moments, then my cure is just to buy a Dan Finnegan mug for the person and they are blissfully happy. (Just ask my oldest son.) Happy Day to you, Dan; and many, many enlightened more.

P.S. I've been making my own mugs lately and aspire to have made something as textural and beautiful as yours someday.

Incognito said...

P.S.S. I feel healthiest when I am in the studio.

doug Fitch said...

Very best wishes Dan, belated birthday greetings

Linda G said...

Happy Birthday Dan! I'm not too sure about a contest with unknown rules - but anything for a Dan Finnegan mug!

Andra Faye said...

Happy belated birthday, Dan!! Who wouldn't love to win one of your beautiful mugs??? xoxox

Unknown said...

Bewitched by your mugs! Enchanted by the Hobbits & intrigued by the contest or rather the secret rules!

Mary Jane said...

Hi Dan, Happy belated birthday!!
So happy to hear you are doing well. You've been in my prayers. Still not sure how all this Blog stuff works.
I'm in the Certificate Program in Digital Photography at RISD, so I'm keeping busy. Bob and I also take care of our grandson, Sam during the week while Nie is working. He is a SWEETIE!!!
I'll be 66 on January 31, and a mug would be a terrific present (hint, hint) I'd love to be attending the Empty Bowl that day but it's a long drive. Miss you and LibertyTown. Maybe I'll get down this Spring.

Pat Finnegan said...

The one on the left is for coffee, and the one on the right is for tea!?!

Sl8ofHand said...

What? A contest with secret rules? How diabolical! I'm in!

kloppski said...

Ah, just thinking of "The Hobbit" takes me back to the pure contentment of getting immersed in that story. Happy Birthday, Dan, and many more to come.

brandon phillips said...

well, happy birthday finnegan.

klineola said...

Was Elvis(h) a hobbit?

Anonymous said...

happy birthday dan... here's to good health (imagine two beers clinking)

Linda Starr said...

Happy Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday to you.
You are as a hobbit
to give a gift on your birthday
thank you to you.

Your mugs are both beautiful, good luck to all the entrants, even me, te he.

janet said...

Happy Birthday Dan - I'd gladly drink from those very handsome mugs - either two fisted or with a friend. Brilliant to gift out two - a sort of gift within a gift. No hairy feet here - but short and tookish.

Aaron Sober said...

No purchase necessary to qualify for the grand prize?
This is better than megabucks!

Riverby Books said...

Hi, Dan,

Which mug is better suited for Ent-draughts?

Best,
Eric

Anonymous said...

Belated Happy Birthday to you! Pretty nifty that you were born in '55 and are now 55yrs young! 'Tis a special year! I'm marking a milestone birthday this month as well...the Big 4-0. Glad all your wishes have come true...that you are well and back in the studio!

Hannah said...

110!

sarah perry said...

I'm not too late, am I???
sorry dan, but you might have to be sending a/those mug/s to france, now....

here's my hobbit haiku....

behind the round door,
pipe-weed smoke thick in the air,
seventh meal is served

love, and happy birthday,
sarah