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

Towards the end of this week’s Lillstreet Throwdown class, the students received their MASTER CHALLENGE. A long-term project for them to work on throughout the session. The goal is for all of them to bring their finished masterpieces to our final class for critique & judging. And you know I love a good theme.. . so each of them had the chance to choose which Fairy Tale they would base their final pieces on. But what are they making?… it was a surprise to them, so I think maybe I’ll keep it a surprise for you too!!! More to come… once upon a time…

Categories: challenge, classes, mugs

This week in my LILLSTREET THROWDOWN class, the students brought back their “finished” mug… from their first “perfect” prototype cylinder from the first challenge. Always fun to see where they have taken their vision with some trimming, refining & handles!. But then they were tasked with another challenge of throwing a saucer to go along with that mug… similar in design, finish & function. After just 45 minutes, they brought both pieces back to the table for critique & judging. Another fun challenge!

Categories: classes, food

Last night in class we continued our OREO addiction with the newest flavor!
Double-stuffed & loaded with crumbled OREOs!!!
Thanks for bringing cookies to class Allison! burp.

Categories: classes, mugs, wheelthrowing

Last night in my pottery class, my Beginners tackled trimming, pulling & attaching handles… thus finishing their first mugs. And it’s only Week Two!!

Categories: challenge, classes, wheelthrowing

Last night was the kick-off of my LILLSTREET THROWDOWN class!! With a great new group of potters ready to take on my silly games, races, projects & challenges!

Last night they started off throwing one “perfectly” mug shaped cylinder in their own style. Only to be followed up by a challenge to throw more cylinders that MATCHED… but not theirs, they had to match everyone else’s!!! Matching pots are tough enough, let alone matching someone else’s shape & style!!! Lots of pots, lots of fun!!! And we’re just getting started…

Categories: classes, platters

As this is the last week of the Fall session of classes at Lillstreet, my Intermediate Wheel class did a fun “trading-exchanging-stealing game” with platters!!! You bring a platter, then play the game & go home with someone else’s masterpiece!!! So much with such beautiful platters!!!

I came home with the beautiful slate-blue platter with a subtle water-etched motif made by Kristen. While Christine & Abena went home with each others!!!

Categories: classes, food

I’ve always said that I have the best students! But when these two boxes of yumminess showed up in class last night… let me just say, “Nick is my favorite student ever!” My own custom OREO’s … how cool, how thoughtful!!!

Okay, so maybe favorite EVER is a stretch?! So let’s just say favorite student this session?… favorite this week?… well at least favorite last night!!! Either way… NICK, YOU ROCKED IT!!! Thank you, thank you!!!

Categories: classes, holiday

Doin’ some last minute prepping’ & packin’…
making some fun trick-or-treat goodie bags for my beginner pottery students tonight!
Lots of candy, toys, goodies, some extra tools, sponges & more!!!

Fun for all… unless you don’t like spiders?!!!

Categories: classes, food

Tonight in my pottery class, we kinda celebrated NATIONAL PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE DAY. Well, it wasn’t actually “cheesecake” but… Christine made these amazing gingersnap cookies with a yummy pumpkin fluff “frosting!” Tasted pretty close to cheesecake… so I’ll call it a day! Thanks Christine!!!!

Categories: classes, production

This past week in one of my pottery classes
we had a “demo-on-demand” request… and so it begins…