Gary Jackson: Fire When Ready Pottery
A Chicago potter’s somewhat slanted view of clay & play
Categories: special events, summer camp

Just finished my First Aid & CPR Training course while in my studio… getting ready for the start of Summer Camp in a couple weeks! These crazy times mean ZOOM Training with no demo access to “Resusi-Annie”?! We just listened & learned while our trainer did the demos for us. I’m glad that I was just renewing my certification, and not getting it for the first time. It felt a little weird NOT doing the demos along with the trainer. But now I’m good for another two years!!!

Categories: creativity, soda-fired, special events

Finishing off the month… just in time… with my May entry in the 2021 CHAIN CHALLENGE. A collection of handmade & soda-fired beads with copper wire work to string them all together!

#2021chainchallenge
#handmadechain
#chainlinks2021

Categories: holiday, special events

Celebrated MEMORIAL DAY with a bike ride up to Fort Sheridan National Cemetery. Such a striking reminder of those who gave everything for their country so we could live free. The rows & rows of matching headstones are always so somber at a national cemetery for the fallen military members.

Categories: Chicago, special events

After fifteen months of being stuck at home… it felt so good to finally get away for the weekend! Sure, it may have been work-related… but it felt great to fly again now that I’m fully vaccinated. It felt almost “normal” even though I was still masked & taking extra safety precautions along the way. Oh, how I’ve missed flying!!!

Categories: art fair, artists, pottery, special events

Well lookie here… there’s a lot of great potters getting together to put on a brand new NORTHERN ILLINOIS POTTERY TOUR! Many of them I already know as “My Talented Friends”… the others I can’t wait to add to that list! So many potters, so many pots, so much talent all in one Pottery Tour. Going virtual this year June 18-20th… but looking forward to a full on-location Pottery Tour in 2022. More details to come… and check us out at www.northernilpotterytour.com

Categories: computer, special events

So is THIS the glamorous part of being self-employed?! Just finished teaching class… now hoping to make the deadline! Like a whole month’s extension wasn’t quite enough time??? Sheesh!

Categories: nature, special events

Apparently, people found two “alleged” explosive devices at Openlands… both of which “allegedly” might be left over from World War II – originally coming from Fort Sheridan which is right there.

The lakeshore preserve is shut down while they investigate… but still a “sight to see” as we pedaled through to catch a beautiful view of the lake a bit further north.

Categories: special events

DONE… thank you Pfizer & Walgreens for my second shot this afternoon. Do your part… roll-up your sleeve to help curb this pandemic. Protect yourself and those around you so we can all get back to “normal” some time soon.

Categories: special events

I’m now half of the way there… and feelin’ safer already!

Categories: creativity, special events, television

Even the portraits were made out of LEGOs!!! So much work. So much creativity… so many flashback memories of FRIENDS. I kinda think I need to go back and re-watch every episode from the beginning again!!!

So who is YOUR favorite FRIEND… and why?!

Let the binge begin… “Could that BE any more fun???”