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

So I finished up another batch of stamped mugs tonight… adding the handles in “a bit of a rush” so I could skip out early for some evening ice cream fun with friends!!! Feels good to have the mugs done & under plastic overnight… feels even better to have had my fill of Lickity Split frozen custard!!!

Categories: process, production, stamped

Sure, smooth was nice…
but now they look a LOT BETTER after a bit of stamping!!!

Categories: bowls, classes, process, stamped, surface decoration

After my sprigged demo bowl, my students started with the sprigs to decorate their plain demo bowls. So much fun to watch my SURFACE DECORATION students excited to try new things on the plain bowls I surprised them with… as stamping & sprigs can be quite addictive… I should know – HA!

Categories: bowls, classes, process, production, stamped, stamps, surface decoration

So last night after stamping, my SURFACE DECORATIONS class switched to using sprig molds for their textured decorations. We just pressed clay into the molds, popped them out and then “scored & slipped” them into place! I don’t do a lot of sprig work, so it was kind of fun to watch my demo bowl evolve one layer at a time… a row of sprigs…some stamps… maybe a scalloped edge… some more stamps… and maybe some holes… wait, what?!

I always have trouble knowing when to stop… as MORE IS MORE.
But I do think it’s done – after a bit more cleaning up!

Categories: classes, stamped, stamps, surface decoration, textures

After my quick stamping demo, my SURFACE DECORATION students set-off to start stamping their own pieces & the bowls I gave them. So much fun to see them getting their groove on… and adding grooves & textures into the clay! So much fun for all of us… as MORE IS MORE!

Categories: bowls, stamped, stamps, textures

Last night in my SURFACE DECORATION class, we tackled stamping textured patterns into clay… go figure! I did my first demo bowl explaining the process along the way… and then let them set-off on their own stamping adventure on the plain bowls I provided for them… along with a few of my handmade stamps!

Categories: production, stamped

This afternoon’s project… some quick trimming & detailing with colored flashing slips before class starts! I’ve got “a few” spoon rests to finish up… and limited time. Giddy-up!!!

Categories: stamped, stamps

Some simple stamping on some simple spoon rests on a simply rainy Saturday!

Categories: food, friends, mugs, stamped

FLASHBACK FRIDAY… with this little cutie!
Ryann was adorable in her little pink glasses eating out of her favorite mug! She no longer has the glasses… but hopefully still loves the mug now that she’s eight years older… and she’s still adorable!

Categories: flowers, soda-fired, stamped, vases

Celebrating Spring with some more pretty flowers… just a few branches of ornamental pear blossoms in a stamped & soda-fired ikebana vase. A simple centerpiece with just a few stems. No need for the full bouquet with a stylish ikebana vase!