Gary Jackson: Fire When Ready Pottery
A Chicago potter’s somewhat slanted view of clay & play
Categories: mugs, soda-fired, stamped

So now that we’ve come to the end of the process, I’m excited to show some of the results. Nice colors, flashings & soda build-up. The randomness is great… similar enough, but each one of them is unique & one-of-a-kind! I’m sure the Groom is going to love these commissioned mugs for his bridal party & friends!

Categories: glaze, kiln firing, mugs, soda-fired, stamped

One of the coolest part of soda-firing is the randomness that happens during the firing. So anyone who is soda-firing needs to be aware of this before they expect “matched perfection”… ‘cuz that’s not gonna happen!

Here’s a great example…
As each of these mugs have the exact same glaze on the interior. All from the same bucket of glaze!!!

But notice the color variation that happened during the firing… based on shelf location, firing, atmosphere, reduction, oxidation & tons of possibilities!!! A wide range of unexpected colors…. all from one bucket of glaze!!!

Categories: mugs, process, production, soda-fired, stamped

So the commission geometric mugs made it through the soda-firing. I’m very excited about the results from Catherine’s kiln firing. She got some wonderful results, good flashings, nice soda-build-up & none of that crusty grayness. I’m confident the Groom is going to LOVE his commission gift mugs! Perfect for another MUGSHOT MONDAY!

Categories: bowls, ETSY Shop, food, mugs, stamped

Looks like another ETSY purchase made its way to its forever home! A sweet stamped & yellow glazed bowl that looks like it’s already making its way to salad heaven! Plus a stamped & soda-fired mug that looks like it has already made a bunch of friends… and a “stacked” place of honor in an already booming Mug Collection!!!

Thanks for sharing Anita…
and it looks like you might need some more shelving?!!!

Don’t forget that my ETSY shop is always open if you need to add something to YOUR collection!!!… https://www.etsy.com/shop/FireWhenReadyPottery

Categories: glaze, mugs, process, production

So now I’ve wiped off the top layer of tenmoku glaze so you can see the geometric shapes even better. I’ve also added the liner glaze to all of them. The request was for the colors to mimic the colors of the wedding… which is based off of a “fig.” Yes, the fruit. So we decided that the liner glaze would be a purpleish-plum color. Fingers crossed that they look good after the soda-firing!

Categories: glaze, mugs, process, production

Starting the mug glazing process… putting some tenmoku glaze into the stamped details. When they dry, I’m going to wipe the high surfaces so that the glaze stays inlaid in the indentations.

Categories: food, mugs, soda-fired, stamped

Looks like my pal Allison is kicking off her morning in style! With a yummy & healthy breakfast with a pretty sweet stamped & soda-fired mug… so nicely coordinated with the blueberries!!! Thanks for sharing your morning with us Allison!

Categories: kiln firing, mugs, process, production

Finally loading the bisque kiln… putting in a LOT of mugs on the bottom layers!!! You know they’re my favorite thing to make, so this has been the perfect project to keep me busy for awhile!

Categories: mugs, process, production, stamped

So here’s a sneak peek at some of the commission mugs with geometric shaped stamps! Looks like I need to do a little more cleaning up on them as I start to set them out to dry… but then they should make it into a bisque kiln in the next couple days!!!

Categories: mugs, process, production

At this point they’re all assembled, detailed & ready to start drying slowly. Headed off to the bisque kiln soon… moving along nicely with this commission project!