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

This week at our LILLSTREET THROWDOWN class, my students brought back their set of four matching cylinders… now turned into matching mugs! Well kinda. Their week-long challenge was to convert their matching cylinders to matching mugs in terms of construction. And then to decorate them to be a good “matching” set where the cups don’t actually match, but have a great continuity of design that ties them all together. And oh, but wait there’s more… they also had to utilize at least four out of the five patterns… * spirals * stripes * polka dots * plaids * paisley.  With an added contingency that all four cups could NOT be identical in design. Just how I like it…. vaguely specific! And open to a lot of interpretation… as longs as they made their decoration “creative, thoughtful, deliberate & beautiful.”

So here we go… quite a few exciting & creative  entries into this week’s THROWDOWN challenge!

Taylor’s tall mugs with carved details…

Melanie’s “petticoat-inspired” colorful mugs with perfectly matching round handles.

Helen’s short stoneware mugs with carved accents…

Dana’s tall cylinders… whoops, no handles?… with beautifully carved patterns.

Jen’s cuties with carved “diagonal” details…

Molly’s colorful animal-inspired mugs… where each animal is based on one of the patterns!

Stacey went for a more “business” look with patterned ties on each cup!

Jacob went for detailed texture on his set which is destined for the soda kiln…
during the Soda-Firing Workshop I’ll be teaching next month at Lillstreet Art Center.

Coming in at second place, these beautifully layered patterned cups by Tracy.
Carved patterns with layers of underglaze patterns.

And our BIG WINNER this week… Christine with these amazing “cartoon” cups.
AMAZING CREATIVITY!!!… and great craftsmanship. Each cup tells its own story utilizing the designated patterns, as well as some of the actual verbiage from the challenge itself!

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Categories: mugs, soda-fired, stamped

Stamped & soda-fired for Mugshot Monday.

Categories: mugs, soda-fired, stamped, weather

Kicking back enjoying a quiet, white, snowy day for another Mugshot Monday!
Looks like I might need to make some hot chocolate while my new Roomba
is making its maiden voyage around my place! Just a little Christmas Gift to myself…
as I had completely worked my previous Roomba to death!!!

Categories: friends, holiday, mugs, soda-fired, stamped

HAPPY MUGSHOT MONDAY… with Instagram greetings from friends in Colorado who were apparently snuggling down on a cold Winter’s night with a mug of something frothy & yummy! Thanks for sharing Kristin & Camden!

Categories: food, holiday, mugs

‘Twas the night before Christmas…
and all through the house, not a creature was stirring…
except this “yahoo” who is still frantically wrapping presents!

Like this mug duo with a hint of a “chocolate mint” theme!
Guess this is what happens when “someone” plays a bit too much leading up to Christmas?!

Categories: friends, holiday, mugs, soda-fired, stamped

Happy Mugshot Monday… with what looks like an early Christmas gift for Beckie’s Mom!!!
I’m sure her coffee will taste much better now, right?!!!

 

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Categories: art fair, mugs

The ST. NICK’S DAY ONLINE MUG SALE is almost over!
There are only two mugs left to be claimed!!! Thanks to everyone who has already found their mug… but if you still want to claim one of these two, scroll back about three Facebook posts on my page, find these mugs #3 & #18, and then leave a comment of “MINE” on the mug you want. First come, first served! Only two left in this online sale!!!

Mug #18

Categories: art fair, mugs

Just THREE HOURS until the official kick-off of my ST. NICK’S DAY ONLINE MUG SALE!!! Be sure to come back to my Facebook page to see the “official” Photo Album at 8:00pm tonight. The first person to leave a Comment on each photo that says “Mine” will get a great mug! First come, first served… and when they’re gone they’re gone!!!

Categories: mugs, porcelain, soda-fired, stamped

Subtle soda flashings on porcelain with a blush of turquoise glaze on Mug #20
coming up for sale tonight at 8:00pm central here on my pottery Facebook page!
Just over three hours until the sale goes LIVE!!!

Categories: glaze, mugs, soda-fired, stamped

A super-smooth greenish-blue glaze with subtle variations from the soda-firing on Mug #19
coming up for sale tonight at 8:00pm central only on my Facebook page!