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

One step further in the “life” of my hybrid mug production. So tonight I dipped the textured slab portion of the mugs in a thin flashing slip that will change colors when these get soda-fired. The bottom part… the wheelthrown bottoms will remain raw clay for a nice contrast after soda-firing!

Categories: mugs, soda-fired, stamped

When cleaning out a shelving unit to take down Christmas decorations, and switch to her next “theme”… Rosene found these two mugs that she had been coveting… but resisted & didn’t buy for herself.

Instead, they “may have” just been left behind one day “hidden” in the shelves for her to find. It took a couple months… but she finally found these two surprise gifts hidden amongst some Christmas decorations!!!

Categories: friends, mugs, soda-fired

From Karen in Maryland… “I forgot to send this on Christmas Eve. We were at Stephanie and Andre’s… and Travis got a cup of coffee. I heard Travis say ‘Is this a Gary original?”

Now I don’t know any of these people… Stephanie, Andre or even Travis… but you gotta appreciate that Travis knows what he’s talking about!!! Apparently word has been spreading… HA!!! Thanks for sharing this funny story Karen… perfect for another MUGSHOT MONDAY!!!

Categories: mugs, soda-fired, stamped

When bad things happen to good mugs… looks like Bill’s favorite mug went for a tumble. It was apparently his favorite mug… so he’s already looking for a good replacement. Gravity can be a terrible thing!

Categories: bowls, holiday, soda-fired, stamped, surface decoration

Wishing you all a wonderful 2024.
Thank you for making my 2023 so much fun & so successful.
I’m looking forward to another year full of adventures, art fairs & pottery…
and most likely a sunrise here & there along the way!

Stay safe, stay healthy, stay fun!!!

Categories: books, bowls, soda-fired, stamped

Imagine my surprise a few weeks back when I got a Facebook Message from Patty… a pottery friend & fellow Lillstreet teacher… who was visiting her daughter in Brooklyn and stopped by a small bookstore. She was excited to find that the bookstore featured a LOT of pottery books. Patty found this one that she thought would be good to show some new techniques to her beginner classes.

Flipping through… she found THIS photo that looked a bit familiar to her! So funny for her to find a book “out in nature” that features one of my pieces on page 61… under the category of “Impressing” as it is a British publication. Special THANKS to Patty for bringing another copy home for me too!!!

And yes, I was aware of it…
but it was published several years ago, so I had kinda forgotten about it?!
So it was a great “photo-refresher” from Patty!!!

Categories: family, food, pottery, soda-fired, stamped

On a dark & rainy night, this homemade french onion soup looks AMAZING… baked in handmade pottery with ooey-gooey cheese melting all over the place. Thanks to my cousin Kim for sharing her homemade gooey-goodness with us!

Categories: holiday, pottery, soda-fired, stamped, textures, vases

Not a 100% sure what I’m “celebrating” today…
But I’ll be “boxing up” the remains of my Holiday Home Shows today! I’ve been “living in a store” in my condo for two months now. I can’t wait to start putting it all away to reclaim my space.

And again, with a HUGE “Thank You” to everyone who stopped by and made it a little easier for me to pack up now with a LOT less pottery on the shelves!!!

Categories: ornaments, soda-fired

Plenty of soda-fired star ornaments this weekend…
whether to decorate your tree, work as a gift tag, or just to bring a smile to someone’s face!

Categories: soda-fired, textures, tiles

While setting up for this weekend’s SECOND HOLIDAY HOME SHOW, I’ve got some new things to put out!! Not only do I have two kilns currently firing & cooling… but I’m restocking the shelves so there’s plenty of holiday gift ideas for everyone!!!