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

New oval vases with double handles drying in the studio. Each with a textured panel on both sides between the handles… thanks to some textured handrollers from MKM Pottery Tools. Loving the contrast of the smooth rounded ends & handles juxtaposed with the textured panels. Even better… the double handles will help hold your flowers up for a low-profile floral arrangement!

Categories: patterns, stamped, surface decoration, textures, tools

Time to get my groove on… starting with another groovy & crisp pattern from an MKM Pottery Tools handroller. Starting with a textured slab… with a plan in mind for a new oval vase project! Coming soon… deadlines are approaching!!!

Categories: process, tools

It’s a BIG day for trimming in the studio today. Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE trimming?… especially with great trimming tools from DiamondCore Tools & my Giffin Grip! The perfect trimming combo!!!

Categories: glaze, mugs, textures, tools

Doing some glazing tonight for my soda kiln firing this weekend. Like these “hybrid mugs” that have been dipped in a flashing slip & now have a layer of tenmoku glaze rubbed in to highlight the textures. You know how I love making mugs… and I love these textures made with MKM Pottery Tools. The perfect combination!

Categories: textures, tools

One of my former students went up to Waukesha, Wisconsin this weekend for the FIRED ARTS EXPO. A bunch of pottery, tools & fun for we mud-lovers… wish I would have remembered about it?! Shoot. Anyway, it was fun to see that Ellen stopped by the MKM POTTERY TOOLS booth to buy some new texture tools… and apparently the discussion turned to ME!!! When worlds collide… former students & pottery loving tool-makers! So glad Ellen got some cool tools… and an MKM postcard featuring ME!!!

Categories: process, summer camp, surface decoration, textures, tools

After a quick summer camp demo, Colette took on a fun carving texture challenge… using one of my favorite DiamondCore Tools! Even the older kids appreciate using nicer tools for finer line carvings. And Colette rocked it!!!

Categories: mugs, textures, tools

Quick THANKS to the folks at MKM Pottery Tools for the shout-out on their social media platforms! Fun to be featured for the “hybrid mugs” I’ve been making… using their textured handrollers for the patterns! Be sure to check them out. And what a great reminder… I’ve got to make MORE of these “hybrid mugs”!!!

Categories: bowls, sgraffito, surface decoration, tools

Just doing a little more detailing on one of last week’s class demo bowls. We started with an ombre’ slip gradation from black to white slip in class. Then I did a little stamping along the rim. Followed by some carving through the slip using one of my favorite DiamondCore Tools for crisp, clean lines.

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: process, production, tools

The perfect pottery production combo… two of my favorite studio tools in action together! Sharp trimming tools from DiamondCore Tools working along side the Giffin Grip. Smooth ribbons of clay coming right off while anchored down on the wheel & easily centered!