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

And not only was Cory a great host for the pottery tour weekend… but I also came home with two of her plates that I bought to add to my Cory McCrory Collection!!! And, the artists all got a loaf of homemade sourdough bread as a lovely parting gift… and I “might” have come home with three… allegedly…

Categories: art fair, artists

SPECIAL THANKS to everyone who came out to Sandwich this past weekend for the NORTHERN ILLINOIS POTTERY TOUR! We had a great time at Stop #6… selling pots, chatting with pottery fans & hanging out with some of my talented pottery friends… Cory, Kenyon, Lindsey, Natalie, Deana & Tanvvi! Always fun to share my pottery passion with like-minded pottery peeps!

And huge THANKS to Cory McCrory who was the best host ever! She hosted & welcomed everyone to her home-studio for the Tour. Even her family pitched in to make the event smooth for everyone. So special thanks to John, Aiden & Rory too!!!

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

A fun day to celebrate one of our potter friends at the Sandwich location of the NORTHERN ILLINOIS POTTERY TOUR. Sure, his birthday may have been yesterday… but feel free to stop by tomorrow & sing “Happy Birthday” to him!!!

Categories: art fair, artists, My Talented Friends

Just days away!!! The NORTHERN ILLINOIS POTTERY TOUR is this weekend. I’ll be at the Sandwich location out in the far west suburbs. I would start there & work your way back towards the Chicago to get the full “tour” experience. There are seven ceramic artists at our location… functional, whimsical, decorative, sculptural, traditional, textural & so much more. A little of everything!!! Mark your calendar, set the GPS, pack some snacks… and have fun roadtrippin’ around The Tour this weekend!

Categories: art fair, artists, pottery

Just a quick reminder that this weekend is the NORTHERN ILLINOIS POTTERY TOUR. I am returning this year as a Guest Artist at my friend Cory McCrory’s home-studio in Sandwich, Illinois. We’ve got a great group of artists in Sandwich… so I think it makes sense to start the day with us, and then work your way back at the other studio stops along The Tour. Hit all of the locations to see a LOT of pottery next weekend. Hope to see you there!

Categories: artists, food, My Talented Friends

Big CONGRATULATIONS to my friend & pottery student Martin Sorge who announced today that he’s officially writing & publishing his first cookbook! If you recall, he was also the WINNER of “The Great American Baking Show” last year… which of course we celebrated in our pottery class with a lot of yummy baked treats! Congrats again Martin… we can’t wait to see your cookbook!!!

Oh yeah… and thanks for showing off that fancy stamped cake plate! It was the “prize” I made for Martin… before we found out he had won the real “trophy” cake plate!!!

Be sure to follow Martin on Instagram… @martinsorge

Categories: art fair, artists, pottery

Lookey-lookey!!! The new postcards & posters have arrived! I just got my stash of marketing materials for the NORTHERN ILLINOIS POTTERY TOUR. So excited to be returning to the Tour as a guest potter at my friend Cory’ McCrory’s studio in Sandwich, Illinois. Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 8th & Sunday, June 9th and plan for a full day or two of pottery fun! Drive the Tour from studio to studio… visiting artist and seeing a LOT of great pottery!!

For more Tour information… check out the website here!

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

Looks like it’s Cookie Time at “4×4 : FOUR MAKERS.” Sweet treats to make us all very smiley! Thanks to our friend Nicole for bringing us some yummy goodies from Tag’s Bakery in Evanston.

Categories: art fair, artists, My Talented Friends

And the fourth of our “4×4 : FOUR MAKERS”… a very talented metal sculptor Darlys Ewoldt. These are all hollow constructions of sheet metal all colored with beautiful patinas. They’re amazing… and yet I have absolutely no idea how she makes them?!!!

Categories: art fair, artists, My Talented Friends

And look at this!!! Another Talented Friend… this time Robin Kittleson, a glass fusing artist that makes amazing pieces. All starting with her hand-pulled canes of colored glass! Snipped to small nuggets, arranged & fused into graceful forms. Be sure to stop by “4×4 : FOUR MAKERS” today or tomorrow to see her work.