Gary Jackson: Fire When Ready Pottery
A Chicago potter’s somewhat slanted view of clay & play
Categories: bowls, food, glaze, stamped

Doing a little cooking today and it seems I’m getting a little low on my garlic?! Only a few cloves to go before this stamped bowl is empty. Looks like I might be doing some grocery shopping tomorrow, as my breath might be a little stinky tonight… but in the best way possible!

Categories: bowls, stamped, textures

Don’t you love when the sun shines in your window and it hits just right?.. making the coolest shadows & patterns. I just wish that sun would have stayed around a bit longer… welcome back to a Wintery day & a Wintery GRAY!!!

Categories: color, holiday, movie, movies, mugs, stamped

So I tried a new “LIME” glaze in this kiln… and it kinda strikes a childhood holiday memory this time of year?!!!

You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch… I can’t decideyea or nay???

Categories: color, platters, stamped

Bright & shiny new… and SHINY BLUE!!!
A cobalt blue stamped platter fresh outta the kiln!

If anyone in the Chicagoland area still needs a beautiful blue holiday gift, let me know. I’m sure we can figure out a time for you to swing by to pick it up!!!

Shoot me an email for more information – first come, first served!
gary@firewhenreadypottery.com

Categories: food, friends, platters, stamped

Looks like there are some new yummies coming out of the oven! More Christmas cookies on a pretty stamped yellow plate. And if the cookies didn’t look yummy enough… SURPRISE!!!… there’s apparently a peppermint patty candy hidden inside! Thanks for the “sweet” photo Jody!

Categories: food, friends, platters, stamped

Never too soon to break into some Christmas Cookies, right?!
While decorating for Christmas it’s always good to have some sweet snacks to get you in the mood… again… and again!!! Doesn’t hurt when they’re displayed on a nice holiday green platter either! Thanks for baking & sharing Rosene!

Categories: friends, mugs, pottery, soda-fired, stamped

Momma Molloy sharing some of her mug collection to help celebrate MUGSHOT MONDAY! I love seeing my pottery being used in people’s homes… making their morning a bit more special.

Categories: art fair, bowls, friends, platters, stamped

This summer I reunited with a couple of my best friends from High School! They surprised me by showing up at ART IN THE GARDEN in August… completely unexpected! I haven’t seen them for YEARS!!! It was such a sweet surprise to see Anna & Jenn and their families right there in my art fair booth… SURPRISE!!! Especially their adorable Mom who has know me since our High School days!

So it’s extra special to see Mom’s display of my pottery pieces on her table (along with a Cory McCrory plate!)… but it’s the baby photos of Anna & Jenn that kill me!!! Could that BE any cuter… let’s just say they’re both several decades older now… but still just as cute!!!

Categories: inspiration, pottery, soda-fired, special events, stamped

A touching epilogue from Melissa
who won the Silent Auction yesterday…

“I’m so glad you’re happy and that your auction was a success! My mom passed away three years ago and I’ve been looking for the perfect place to memorialize her for myself and for my two sisters. Your work showed up in my Instagram feed under the hashtag “cardinal” and here we are. Right place, right time.”

Amazing what a simple hashtag can do. Obviously things were meant to work out the way they did yesterday. Such a fitting tribute – a full circle moment for this entire “Cardinal Commission” project. It has been quite fulfilling & touching at so many moments along the way. Thank you to everyone who has been along on this journey with me.

Categories: art fair, bowls, holiday, platters, pottery, stamped

‘Tis the season for red & green… as we head into Day Two of my limited-access & socially-distant HOLIDAY HOME SHOW! Wear your mask and buy some pottery for everyone on your holiday shopping list… and maybe a thing or two for yourself as well?! You deserve it… it’s been a rough year!