Gary Jackson: Fire When Ready Pottery
A Chicago potter’s somewhat slanted view of clay & play
Categories: bike, sunrise

Headed south this morning I was flying.
So quiet. So fast. Feeling strong.

When I stopped, the lake was choppy and the waves were crashing.
So much fun!

It wasn’t until I turned around to pedal home that I realized how incredibly windy
it was this morning. Let’s just say, the ride home I didn’t feel so strong..
or pedaling so fast!!!

Categories: mugs, production

Another batch… these ones are made with B-Clay for the soda kiln!

Categories: art fair

And I think I may have found a new way to get my pots to the fair?!

Luckily, my pots aren’t “quite” that large… and I don’t have a motor-scooter?!
So I guess I’ll need to stick with the van!!!

Categories: flowers, nature, seasons

It may still be chilly outside… but it’s looking like Spring inside my condo with another orchid blooming in my dining room window. I’m not sure what’s going on?!

I’ve NEVER had an orchid re-bloom before…
and now this year, two of them are re-blooming right now?! What’s up with that?…
and more importantly, how do I make sure I do it again?!

Categories: bike, sunrise

With a chill in the air, it was nice to not have the wind this morning.
Just a clear sky and quiet ripples on the lake. Beautiful… yet still chilly.

Categories: holiday, nature

Make a difference. Plant something green today…. like a TREE!!!

Categories: art fair, artists

We’re just one month away from the “official” kick-off of my Summer Art Fair schedule.
Mark your calendars now.

I still have a lot to make, glaze, fire and prep for these hectic times.
But I’m really looking forward to getting back out there to see everyone again, show off some new pottery… and to make a few new customers & friends along the way!

Schaumburg Prairie Fine Arts Festival
Saturday, May 23rd, 2015 – 10:00am-6:00pm
Sunday, May 24th, 2015 – 10:00am-5:00pm
Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center
201 Schaumburg Court in Schaumburg, Illinois

Hinsdale Fine Arts Festival
Saturday, June 13th, 2015 – 10:00am-6:00pm
Sunday, June 14th, 2015 – 10:00am-5:00pm
Burlington Park on Chicago Avenue between Washington & Garfield Streets
in Hinsdale, Illinois

Evanston Lakeshore Fine Arts Festival
Saturday, August 1st, 2015 – 11:00am-6:00pm
Sunday, August 2nd, 2015 – 11:00am-6:00pm
Along Lake Michigan’s shores at Dawes Park on Sheridan Road at Clark Street
in Evanston, Illinois

Art In The Garden : A Grassroots Art Fair
Saturday, September 12, 2015 – 10:00am-5:00pm
Sunday, September 13th, 2015 – 10:00am-5:00pm
1205 Hutchings Avenue, Glenview, IL 60025
One block west of Waukegan Road, between Lake Street and Glenview Road.
It’s a special weekend to play with some of My Talented Friends!!!
We’re at the home of metalsmith Amy Taylor, with our other artist friends…
including paper clay artist Cory McCrory, glass bead jeweler Donna Sauers,
and stained glass by Alison Fox.

Okay, at this point it’s pretty much Fall… but here’s a few more shows…

Art In The Barn
Saturday, September 26th, 2014 – 10:00am-5:00pm
Sunday, September 27th, 2014 – 10:00am-5:00pm
Located on the grounds (and in the barns) of Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
on Route 22 in Barrington, Illinois – Lower Barn E4 & E6

Then a couple to get you through the holidays with some wonderful handmade gifts!

“My Home For The Holidays” Home Show
Saturday, November 21st, 2015 – 10:00am-6:00pm
Sunday, November 22nd, 2015 – 10:00am-6:00pm
Contact me for invitations & complete address information…

My Second Holiday Home Show
Another Home Show opportunity for those who need some last-minute gifts!
Saturday, December 12th, 2015 – 10:00am-6:00pm
Contact me via e-mail for invitations & complete address information…

Categories: Chicago, theater

Tonight we went to see “The Book of Mormon” downtown.
The 2011 Tony Award winning Best Musical is back in town for a limited time.
And since I somehow missed it the first time it came through Chicago, there was no way I would miss it this time around!

It was a great show. So funny. So witty. So offensive to many?!
When a show is written by the same guys who write “South Park”… you kinda know what you’re in for. It’s so funny… and always an “equal opportunity offender.” No topic, group or stereotype is off limits. And with the main focus on the Mormon religion, there’s a LOT of ground to cover!!!

Click here for a YouTube video of the show’s opening number (and my favorite)
“Hello”
as performed at the 2012 Tony Awards.

And if you want more…
Here’s another video – “I Believe” performed by Andrew Rannells at the 2011 Tonys.
“I believe… that plan involves me getting my own planet.”

Categories: holiday, nature

Make a difference. Take care of something green today. Like the Earth.

Reuse instead of buying new every time.
Repurpose turns old junk into new, functional objects.
Repair instead of replacing.
Return Only buy from companies with take-back programs.
Refill instead of buying disposable bottles and paper cups.
Refuse to buy overpackaged, disposable, single-use junk.

Categories: process

Trimming done.
Handles… not so much.
And it’s already time to go teach class! Giddy-up!