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

Last night in my pottery class we started with a “sweet treat”… and it was spot-on!
Let’s just say that these Cinnamon Bun OREOs did not last long!!!
Thanks for the treats Andrew!!!

Categories: clay, summer camp

Kickin’ off another day of Summer Camp… more wheelthrowing camp with 8-10 years olds this week! So glad that my early-arrivers decided to “volunteer” to cut up the clay for everyone else!!!

Categories: flowers, garden

For those who have “followed“ for years… you’ll know about my never-ending quest grow my favorite Black-Eyed Susan’s in my garden. Everyone claims that they are the easiest flower to grow & they take over quickly. However… I’ve tried several times in different places… new plants, seeds, divisions from friends, over & over again… but to avail. Until now… so excited that these cuties are now blooming in my garden… and they survived the winter & came back this year!!! Not to gloat… but perhaps the “curse” has been broken???

Categories: art fair, My Talented Friends

You gotta love having talented friends… and art fair booth neighbors this weekend!!! Like Rhonda from “The Buttons Stop Here” who created a very special bracelet for me made of vintage “trade uniform” buttons… all starting with the state prison button which I LOVE!!! Plus the artistry & detail of the other buttons is amazing as well… all over a hundred years old!!!

Stop by the GLENVIEW SUMMER ART FAIR today from 11:00am-5:00pm…
come see us both… we’re side-by-side!!!

Categories: art fair, flowers, pottery

Huge thanks to everyone who came out today for Day One of the GLENVIEW SUMMER ART FAIR. It was a sunny, hot, cloudy, steamy, breezy, sprinkley & hot asphalty kind of day… not ideal. So extra special thanks to those who “survived” it with us!

And a reminder… tomorrow is Day Two from 11:00am-5:00pm… and the weather forecast is looking better!Just hoping the wildfire smoke cloud doesn’t come back!!! Fingers crossed…

Categories: art fair

All set- up & re-stocked for Day Two of the GLENVIEW SUMMER ART FAIR. The weather is already better than yesterday… (I’m not a sweaty mess)… and we already have some “early shoppers.” So c’mon by… we’re here until 5:00pm at the Attea School in Glenview!

Categories: art fair

Just another reminder… this weekend is the GLENVIEW SUMMER ART FAIR. And it seems like the wildfire smoke has moved on just in time… so we’re happy to be breathing cleanly again. Just in time for this show. Remember that we’re at a different location this year. Hope you can make it… and bring a friend!!!

Categories: handbuilding, summer camp

Lots of fun handbuilt mugs for my summer campers to paint with colored slips today …
in addition to their wheelthrown pots! Including my favorite Chicago-themed mug…
well done Emma!

Categories: lillstreet, summer camp

ou know it’s gonna be a good day at summer camp…
when your first camper asks (even before saying hello)… “Can I clean the sponges again today?”

Of course the answer is always “YES!”
Now if I could just get some of the adult students to do the same.
Thanks for volunteering Ellie!!!

Categories: flowers, soda-fired, vases

With the crazy Canadian wildfire smoke casting a weird “colored”-grayness over the City today… I figured it might help to shake it up with a “pop” of fun floral colors! A collection roses & mums in one of my stamped & soda-fired square vases!

Doesn’t hurt any to have some fun rusty metal right there too…