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

So the cylinders that were thrown yesterday were ready today to start stamping. They were under plastic overnight so now they are at a good stage that I like to call “wet-leatherhard.” Not quite stiff enough to trim yet, not quite wet enough to be squishy or sticky… but instead firm enough to hold its shape, and yet wet enough to press in good impressions with my handmade stamps.

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So for now they’re all back under plastic wraps… drying up a bit more until they are leatherhard and ready for trimming. And then… the ever-popular task of adding handles to all of them!!!

Categories: mugs, patterns, process, production, stamped, stamps

Lots of stamping… lots of patterns… lots of textures! Always fun using my own handmade clay stamps to create the surfaces on my mugs. All pressed in one by one… by one… by one…

Categories: bowls, color, food, friends, stamped

Looks like Sarah has been tossing a yummy salad in her stamped bowl. Beautiful & healthy all at the same time!

Categories: art fair, mugs, soda-fired, stamped

A couple handfuls of mugs & more while replenishing shelves this morning. Just getting ready for Day Two of the HINSDALE FINE ARTS FESTIVAL. We’re almost ready to open… it’s cooler than yesterday with a nice breeze!!! So c’mon over to enjoy Burlington Park and all of the great art. I’m in Booth 69 until 5:00pm!

Categories: food, platters, stamped

Looks like Julie is enjoying her new green stamped platter & staying healthy too! Sure, mine would have a cheesecake or something on it… but these look good too! HA!!! Thanks for sharing Julie!

Categories: process, stamped, tools, vases

After stamping the stacked vase, I had to do a little trimming on the bottom. Thankfully I have my Giffin Grip which helped support the vase upside-down while I was trimming!

Categories: process, stamped, vases

After the two-part stacked vase demo, I took the tall vase up to my studio and did a bit of stamping. Always good with a little “creative camouflage” to help cover up the seam in the middle!

Categories: stamped, vases

Simple floral arrangements… ikebana vases turn a few stems into a statement.
Handmade ceramic discs perfectly frame your flowers!

Categories: food, pottery, soda-fired, stamped

Plus, you’ve gotta love when your friend & pottery “follower” stops by to say “Hi”… and brings along a sweet treat or two!!! You’re the BEST Melissa!!! Thanks again… burp!

Categories: production, soda-fired, stamped

I’ll also be bringing some new lidded casserole dishes to the art fair this weekend. But I’ve got to share… so for those who can’t make it to Schaumburg this weekend, I’ll also have some at the Hinsdale Fine Arts Festival next weekend!!! But there’s a limited quantity… I only have four for Schaumburg & four for Hinsdale!