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

You know how I love making my own stamps…
and this time I “might have” gone with a little bit of a theme?!
‘Tis the season…

Categories: platters, stamped, stamps, surface decoration

After “warming up” with stamping a dinner plate, it was time to tackle a larger platter. A blank canvas… then a couple stamps using my own handmade stamp. Sure I coulda stopped after on ring around the perimeter… but what fun would that be???

Categories: bowls, stamped, stamps, surface decoration

Just doing a little stamping tonight on a couple demo bowls from last night’s pottery class. We discussed making “larger” bowls… and then we did!!! Sure, I could select them plain… HA!!!

Categories: stamps, summer camp

Yesterday at the end of summer camp, a couple of the kids finished early… and asked if they could make some stamps like the ones I made that I let them borrow. Of course I said YES!!!

Categories: stamped, stamps, vases

Little tiny pots need little tiny stamps, right???
I mean, just because they’re smaller doesn’t mean they should go unadorned!!!

That would just be wrong…

Categories: platters, stamped, stamps, surface decoration

Just finished my first week of Summer Camp…
and just decorating another platter in my studio after the kids have left!

Categories: platters, stamped, stamps, surface decoration

Another plate. Another stamp.
Just added a textured rim around this dinner plate!

Categories: classes, stamps, tools

In one of my classes, a student asked if they could borrow my stamps… and I said “no”… but I’ll show you how to make some of your own! I happened to have some of my MKM Pottery Tools with me in class, so we rolled some slabs, textured them with the handrollers… and then cut out sections of the pattern. We attached little nugget handles on the back, and then bisque-fired them. They now work as stamps… and they all had a great time in class “making their own stamps!!!

Categories: platters, stamped, stamps, textures

After the “surprise” rain this afternoon… it was back into the studio to do a little more platter stamping. Changing a plain wheelthrown platter into a decoratively textured platter. All with just one handmade clay stamp pressed in over & over & over again!

Categories: flowers, soda-fired, stamps, vases

Celebrating another #FloralFriday with some pretty flowers in one of my stamped & soda-fired oval vase. One of the benefits of an oval vase it is keeps the flowers tight, and spreads them wide so you can see more of them. Enjoy… hope they brighten your day!