One last thing before they dry… I added a layer of colored flashing slip to my batch of hybrid mugs. At some point, these mugs will be soda-fired so they should change to shades of oranges & yellows during the atmospheric firing.




Gary Jackson: Fire When Ready Pottery
A Chicago potter’s somewhat slanted view of clay & play |
One last thing before they dry… I added a layer of colored flashing slip to my batch of hybrid mugs. At some point, these mugs will be soda-fired so they should change to shades of oranges & yellows during the atmospheric firing.





By the end of class last night, my THROWDOWNERs had completed all of their polka dot platters… ready for discussion critique & judging. We even had my friend & fellow teacher Nicole stop by for her choices!





Scroll through to see them all.
And in the Comments section please let me know which one was your overall favorite platter.
Remember the category was “polka dots!”













You know how I love a good holiday… so last night in my LILLSTREET THROWDOWN class we celebrated NATIONAL POLKA DOT DAY!!! As part two of their challenge was to decorate their platters with polka dots!!! They had 45 minutes to finish their masterpieces! And I loved all of the creativity & different takes on polka dots. Some went big, some went small… some more colorful & some more minimal… and one that made me think of Pringles!!!
















They’re coming along nicely… a fresh batch of hybrid mugs in the works!
Next up… trimming, then handles!




Accents painted & done! These mugs will be bisqued & then soda-fired. So they will not get any glaze on the exterior except for a little tenmoku in each stamped impression. The raw clay & colored flashing slips will transform in the kiln due to the firing process creating a nice “glazed” shine & flashing effects. Each one totally different based on where the flames hit it during the soda firing.




Just painting some details with colored flashing slips today. These areas will change colors in an upcoming soda firing kiln. These two should have accents of orange when this slip reacts to the soda atmosphere. Fingers crossed…


And for now they’re all going back under plastic so they can dry slightly to leatherhard clay. Then it’s trimming & adding of handles… and soon enough, these will become mugs!!!

Been stamping some mug cylinders this morning. Adding some textures & patterns to the sides. Pressing in each stamp one by one… by one… by one…












Just another stamped platter ready for this weekend’s pottery sale…
perfect in a bright holiday green!!! Just looking for some Christmas cookies on top!!!



Another class demo piece “finally” getting glazed. Carved decorations around the flange rim on this dinner plate. Going into the kiln… and coming out just in time for this weekend’s SECOND HOLIDAY HOME SHOW! Hope it turns out okay?!


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Gary Jackson: Fire When Ready Pottery
Lillstreet Studios ∙ 4401 North Ravenswood, Chicago, Illinois 60640 ∙ 773-307-8664 gary@firewhenreadypottery.com |