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

Hard to believe that it has already been two years today since my Mom passed away. And you know I don’t believe in all that “mumbo-jumbo hoodoo-voodoo” stuff. But… when a “sign” shows up and slaps you in the face… sometimes you take notice!

I was on my back porch this afternoon talking to my neighbors and Melanie asked how my Dad was doing these days. At that very moment, a hummingbird appeared flitting around my geraniums. It was the first hummingbird we’ve seen… and at the VERY moment Mel asked about my Dad?! Really???… c’mon Like my Mom was there telling us that everything was good… and that my Dad is doing great.

If that was a “sign”… I’ll take it!

Categories: food, friends, platters, stamped

At first glace this looks like an AMAZING chocolate cake with a ton of yummy frosting! Look a little closer and you’ll see that it’s sitting on a stamped & glazed platter by yours truly. Looks like Rosene might need a bigger platter? Thanks for sharing the photo of your cake… now if only she could share some of that cake too!!!

Categories: artists, bowls, food, friends

Looks like Rhonda has brought in some fresh basil from the garden… washed it off in a handmade berry bowl and getting ready to make something YUMMY!!!

Thanks for sharing your “freshly-cleaned produce” Rhonda!

Categories: mugs, stamped, summer camp

Yesterday my afternoon Summer Campers did some handbuilding… and I challenged them to make slab mugs! Cullen made this adorable set of mugs for his family… Mom, Dad & Grandma!

But the cutest part?… he also made one for his twin brother Caden. And kept it “secret” the whole time so Caden has no idea that this is being made… pretty much right under his nose!

Categories: bike, sunrise

A dark & cloudy start. Big clouds moving through… some with lightning way off in the distance.

As the morning moved on, so did the clouds as the sky began to clear and the sun finally made its way out… even if just for a brief moment or two.

Categories: platters, stamped, stamps, textures

Just did a bit of stamping on another plate before heading downstairs to teach class again tonight! One single stamp used over & over again to get the repetitive pattern all the way around the rim.

Categories: garden

Pretty little berries changing colors on the vine.
Dangling gracefully on the trellis.

Categories: bike, sunrise

A hazy start for another quiet morning ride. Biking along the lake with a foggy haze off in the distance… I’m sure there’s a sun in there somewhere?!

Hey… there it is… finally!!!

Categories: kiln firing, lillstreet

Well, we’re one arch closer to getting the Lillstreet soda kiln back up & running. Still need a few more bricks to fill in some of those holes!!! Doug Jeppesen & Neil Estrick have been working hard to get it done for us! Can’t wait to get it firing again! It’s getting there… brick by brick!!!

Categories: animals, bike, sunrise

Another day, another sunrise… another “later than normal.” A quiet morning with a few big clouds, followed by some great shimmering reflections. A wonderful morning biking along the lakefront.

And yes, just in case you’re wondering, that is indeed a dog on a paddleboard being pulled by a swimmer in the morning sunrise.