Gary Jackson: Fire When Ready Pottery
A Chicago potter’s somewhat slanted view of clay & play
Categories: art fair, artists, friends, My Talented Friends

In addition to her jewelry collection, this year at The One-Of-A-Kind Show this year, Sarah is also showing off some of her new sculptural work. A “constellation” of beautiful wall pieces. Each one a beautiful in it’s own right… but we all know that a grouping of three, five or ALL of them would be much better!!!

The two larger pieces have a wonderful blue color to them. Some sort of chemical “etching” process to force the brilliant blue patina. And then the “accent piece” is actually a separate pendant that comes with a chain necklace so you can wear it too! The whole idea is brilliant!!! Not only is the wall piece beautiful, and the pendant gorgeous, but the “stand” that hods the pendant is beautifully incorporated into the overall design as well. She’s a smart one!

The others have stones & gems “stitched” into them. Beautiful textures, colors, patterns and patinas. What’s not to love with such wonderful layers of fun?!

So there they are… wonderful, sculptural wall pieces by Sarah Chapman. Each one a beauty… even cooler as a grouped constellation!

And just for the record… the stunning necklace that she was “modeling” yesterday in this photo sold and went to a very good home. But there are plenty of others stunners waiting for you today at One-Of-A-Kind.

Categories: art fair, artists, friends, My Talented Friends

C’mon down to The One-Of-A-Kind Show at the Merchandise Mart.
I’ll be here all day helping my friend Sarah Chapman in Booth #2118.

She makes incredible jewelry. Perfect holiday gifts for everyone on your list…
including me!!!      hint, hint…

Categories: art fair, mugs

It’s 7:00pm Central time… and we’ve LIVE!!!
My “Happy December Online Sale” is now posted, open and selling fast.

Click here to check my Facebook page for the full details.
Just claim your mug by being the first one to leave a Comment
in the Facebook Photo Album “12.1.14 Happy December Online Sale.”

Good luck.. and Giddy-up!!!

Categories: art fair, mugs

We’re just a couple hours away from the start of my Happy December Online Sale.

Check out my Facebook page to grab your favorite mug starting at 7:00pm Central time.
You can see the mugs here on the blog, but the REAL online sale is going to happen on Facebook. Click here to go directly to my Fire When Ready Pottery Facebook page… and then click the LIKE button.

Here’s a last minute “reminder” PREVIEW of the twenty mugs…

Categories: art fair, mugs

We’re just 24 hours away from the kick-off of my
Happy December Online Sale.
Monday, December 1st at 7:00pm Central time.

Twenty mugs going quick – first-come, first served.
Don’t miss out.

The sale goes LIVE on my Facebook page at 7:00pm Central time tomorrow.
Click here to go to my Facebook page … and then click LIKE.

Set a timer… set a reminder… it’s coming soon.
As is December!!!

Categories: art fair, family, totem pole

Last weekend at my Holiday Home Show, my cousin’s wife Anna brought their three kids all the way down from Minneapolis for a weekend visit, and a trip to my place! My cousin Kim came along with the Minnesota Foursome for some quality family time. Anna has been “threatening” to come for many years… and finally made it in to the city while her husband (my cousin Michael) was out-of-town for business. Thanks Anna for sharing your photos!

Bundled up outside my place like good Minnesotans… Christopher, Mitchell & Caroline.

Upstairs with cousin Kim…

They also loved my back porch and playing in my back courtyard area.
Not quite so pretty once all of the plants die-back for the Winter, huh?!

Which includes a “tilting” totem pole that needs to be straightened in the Spring…
and my Capt. America PEZ Dispenser sculpture that will be looking for a new home soon.

Categories: art fair, mugs

So here’s the “shopping list” of pieces that I’m going to offer up
for my “Happy December Online Sale.”

DO NOT use this list to try and purchase any of these mugs.
At 7:00pm Central time tomorrow, I will post the same pieces on my Facebook page.
Click here for the Fire When Ready Pottery Facebook page… and click LIKE.

We’re doing a first come, first served, old-school style “sale.” Keeping it simple.
The first person to “claim” the piece by leaving a Facebook Comment on the photo gets it.
NOT a Comment on the entire photo album, but each individual piece.
NOT by a Comment on this blog post.

So use these photos as a “sneak peek”… to create your “Wish List”…
and then watch for the official launch of the Sale on my Facebook Page
at 7:00pm Central time tomorrow night – Monday, December 1st!!!

MUG A – cone 10 soda-fired stoneware.

MUG B – cone 10 soda-fired stoneware.

MUG C – cone 10 soda-fired stoneware.

MUG D – cone 10 soda-fired B-Clay stoneware.

MUG E – cone 10 soda-fired B-Clay stoneware.

MUG F – cone 10 soda-fired stoneware.

MUG G – cone 10 glazed reduction B-Clay stoneware.

MUG H – cone 10 soda-fired porcelain.

MUG I – cone 10 soda-fired porcelain.

MUG J – cone 10 soda-fired porcelain.

MUG K – cone 10 soda-fired B-Clay stoneware.

MUG L – cone 10 soda-fired stoneware.

MUG M – cone 10 soda-fired B-Clay stoneware.

MUG N – cone 10 soda-fired stoneware.

MUG O – cone 10 soda-fired stoneware.

MUG P – cone 10 soda-fired porcelain.

MUG Q – cone 10 soda-fired stoneware.

MUG R – cone 10 soda-fired B-Clay stoneware.

MUG S – cone 10 soda-fired stoneware.

MUG T – cone 10 soda-fired stoneware.

Categories: art fair, mugs

And for those of you who can’t quite make it to my Holiday Home Shows… you may still have a chance to scoop up a Fire When Ready Pottery handmade mug in time for the holidays! December 1st is right around the corner… more details to come!!!

Categories: art fair, artists, My Talented Friends

Two weeks from today… a second Holiday Home Show at my place.
Mud & Metal : A Collaborative Holiday Show.

Make your list, check it twice, then mark your calendar for December 13th.
The perfect chance to finish off your holiday shopping… handmade pottery
AND wonderful jewelry by my friend Amy Taylor!!!

Categories: art fair, mugs, pottery, tiles

Special Thanks to everyone who made it to my condo this weekend for my Holiday Home Show. I had a wonderful weekend with lots of friends, family, customers, students & more stopping by. It’s my biggest show of the year with pots in every room. And every room is decked out with holiday decorations as well. Like my fireplace mantle… with my collection of handblown glass pieces.

Inside there were pots in every room. My dining room was filled with pots stacked up on the table. The shelves lined the walls and blocked the windows… pretty much making my condo a “store” for the next few weeks!

Around the place there were LOTS of pots to look at. Here’s a quick example of some of the work you missed out on if you didn’t stop by! Teapots, over 100 mugs, wall pocket vases, bottles, vases and so much more!

‘Tis the season… and to celebrate the season, of course I had a LOT of Christmas ornaments. First off, my wheelthrown ornaments with wire ring hangers were scattered in every room.

I also had collections of other ornaments. Plenty to choose from!!!

My living room wall had a selection of ceramic masks, ClayQuilt tile boards and my round, textured wall pillows. I love how they can be grouped in random “constellations” on the wall.

I also have a LOT of tiles. Not only did I have several ClayQuilt tile boards, but customers could also see the wall I tiled in my place. Just under three thousand tiles on the wall… and a few more ornaments hanging in the doorway!

ClayQuilts come in different color palettes. Always fun to see what hues & shades come out of the kiln, and then assembling them to create a unified “picture” with each Quilt.

In addition to tiled ClayQuilts, I also have tiled mirrors.

But one of the biggest “draws” for my regular customers is my annual “Tired Of Shlepping Sale” where I have my seconds, class demos and many pieces that I’m just tired of shlepping around from fair to fair. It makes my back porch a huge destination for the bargain hunters!!!

I also like to show off some of my other artworks & collections around my place. Even though they may not be for sale, it’s fun for people to see where I live, what my place looks like and what inspires me. I think an artists home says so much about them. I love seeing where they live and what they choose to surround themselves with. So this weekend may have been “insightful” for some first timers to my place! Including this textured button tapestry I made for myself a few years back.

As well as many of my collections all over the place. Sure, I could hide them all away… but why?! Instead they just add to the ambiance of my place. Including my collection of sgraffito beauties by Matt Metz.

But there always collections of MY pieces too… like this stack of stamped bowls & plates. All waiting in the kitchen for some snacks. Brownies were baked this morning, and cookies were cooling. These plates were waiting for the onslaught of customers!

And who doesn’t LOVE a huge bowl full of M&M’s???

At the end of their shopping adventure, customers were greeted with a fond farewell from my Santa bear… and another HUGE Thank You to everyone who stopped by. Whether you did your holiday gift shopping, bought a few goodies for yourself, or just sat on the sofa and snacked on cookies… it was great to have you stop by for a visit. You all made my weekend!!!

So?…. did I make you feel bad that you missed the Holiday Home Show this weekend?!

Well, there may be a “good chance” that there will be another opportunity…
maybe?… quite possibly?… a good chance of Saturday, December 13th.
Allegedly… hypothetically… and there may even be a Guest Artist too! I’m just sayin’…

More details to come… but go ahead and mark your calendar now!!!