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

So close… but no wins for us!!! Last night was the final game of BINGO at IKEA for the year. I went with my niece Taylor with plenty of daubers in-hand. We had a great time despite not winning a round… but, we did each get a fun IKEA bucket hat made from recycled IKEA big blue shopping bags. Only after chatting & trading with IKEA Amanda! Happy holidays at IKEA!!!

Categories: holiday

Magical holiday illumination in Anna’s Christmas Tree Farm! She has quite a collection of my ceramic trees down in Florida… with three more headed her way from my POP-UP HOLIDAY SALE! Thanks for sharing Anna… love the custom sign too!!!

Categories: art fair, holiday, pottery

I’ve always said that I have the best customers, groupies & friends! With a huge THANK YOU to everyone who stopped by this weekend for a little holiday shopping! You guys kicked-off my holiday season with a grand showing of encouragement, support & friendship! You guys rock!!! Thanks again… and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Categories: holiday, ornaments

Some holiday festive fun fresh out of the kiln.
New textured star ornaments with colors on one side & metallic shine on the other!

Categories: holiday, kiln firing, process, production

Well look at me… ahead of schedule?!
It’s only Wednesday and my last kiln is already glazed & loaded…
and I don’t even need these trees until Saturday
for my SECOND HOLIDAY HOME SHOW! Crazy, right!

Replenishing my Christmas Trees with a bunch of new ones with holes & no bottoms… so you can light ‘em up with tea lights, votive candles or LED lights. Just in time to make the season more festive!!!

Categories: art fair, holiday, pottery

Well, here it comes!!! Thanksgiving is over and now the holiday shopping truly begins! So start making your holiday gift lists & mark your calendar for my SECOND HOLIDAY HOME SHOW on Saturday, December 14th & Sunday, December 15th from 10:00am-6:00pm. A perfect chance to finish all of your shopping in one stop! Everyone loves handmade gifts for the holidays!!!

Categories: family, holiday

Welcome to December!
Time to start the advent calendar that my Grandma Kitty made many years ago.
And so it begins…

Categories: food, friends, holiday

So yesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving with my family… and I made the pumpkin pies. It was the first time I have ever “blind baked” the crust first so it would be nice & flaky… no soggy bottoms. Thanks to my friend, former student & baking show winner Martin Sorge, he “coached” me through the process… crust, crimp, chill, poke, line with foil, fill with dry beans, bake, fill & bake again! And it WORKED!!! Yummy pies with nice crispy bottoms! Thanks Martin!!!

Categories: holiday, platters, stamped

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving Day.
Hope you surround yourself with family, friends, food & everything that makes you smile.
Be thankful. Be grateful. Be happy.

Categories: holiday, production

Early morning studio session of poking holes, carving textures & making stars!!!