Gary Jackson: Fire When Ready Pottery
A Chicago potter’s somewhat slanted view of clay & play
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: art fair, platters, pottery, stamped
Categories: flower pots, flowers, soda-fired, stamped

My Thanksgiving Cactus was pretty much right on schedule… maybe a week late! But it’s doing great now. I’m sure it is all about the handmade pottery flowerpot that it’s living in! Well, at least that’s my story.. and I’m sticking to it…

Categories: production, stamped

Less than two weeks until the second HOLIDAY HOME SHOW… and I’m just trying to replenish some of the basics! Another batch of spoon rests… done, drying & ready for the first firing!

Categories: art fair, holiday, lidded jars, soda-fired, stamped

Just in case you haven’t heard the rumor by now… this weekend is my HOLIDAY HOME SHOW!!! With pottery in every room of my condo all decorated for Christmas… wit festive food & drink in the kitchen. Plus, the “Tired Of Shlepping Sale” is on the back porch with tons of discounted & clearance priced pottery. It’s the perfect chance to start your holiday shopping! So make your list… check it twice… then stop by this weekend Saturday & Sunday from 10:00am-6:00pm!

And bring a friend… or five!!!

Categories: flowers, soda-fired, stamped, vases

Down the street there’s a beautiful hydrangea bush with these big, beautiful flower clusters. Luckily, I cut off a couple stems before the big Halloween snowfall… and now they’ve dried perfectly & maintained their green color. A perfect addition to my green stamped & soda-fired vase!

Categories: classes, food, platters, pottery, stamped

Tonight was the last class for my Beginning Wheelthrowing class… celebrating again with a potluck & a “trading-stealing-exchanging” game. Category for the trade was a “not-so-basic bowl”. While the theme for our potluck was “Dips And The Vehicle To Get Them In Your Mouth .”

I decided to up-my-game, and yet stay brand loyal… with Hot Cocoa OREO’s and a fluffy Hot Cocoa Dip!!! A double whammy of yummy goodness!!!

Categories: bowls, process, production, stamped

Stamping & trimming. Another set of bowls in the works… this time a bit wider & shallower than normal. Just hoping to get these done & glazed in time for my Holiday Home Show!