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

So last night in my Beginning Wheel class, some of my students tackled trimming, pulling handles & assembling their very first mugs!!! Not bad for their second class… I think we’re off to a good start!!!

Categories: mugs, process, production

Another batch of cylinders working their way towards becoming mugs! Too wet to stamp now… but I feel some “shamrock stamps” might just be headed their way!!!

Categories: clay, process

Finally got around to wedging up my pile of reclaimed clay! It sat on my large plaster bat for awhile as the extra moisture evaporated & the clay was finally stiff enough to wedge. So a little “elbow-grease” and now several bags of FREE CLAY!!! My favorite kind of clay!!!

Categories: bowls, food, friends, stamped

Looks like there’s some healthy greens down in Bartonville! Keeping the New Year healthy with steamed veggies… perfect in a handmade stamped bowl!

Categories: family, friends, mugs

Celebrating another Mugshot Monday… with a purple mug & these sweet words from my long-time friend Kelly…

“This is how you and I hold hands… sometimes over a warm cup of hot tea, this morning coffee.” so sweet Kelly!!!

Categories: mugs, process, production
Categories: food, mugs

Looks like Diane is enjoying some Sunday sweets… cake & frosting… two of my favorite things! Paired with some coffee… not my thing… in one of my shamrock mugs from last year… definitely one of my favorite things!!!

Mental note to self… gotta make more shamrock mugs for THIS year!!!

Categories: food, platters, stamped

Getting back in the routine… back in the studio, back to teaching, and back to “trying” to eat a little bit healthier. So unfortunately, I’ve had to replace the cheesecakes with avocados this week!!! HA!!!

Categories: friends

Looks like Dr. Dennis was out hiking & walking his dog Ricky all around Illinois Beach State Park yesterday… and ran across this little fortune cookie! Good to see that there are still a few New Year goodies out there just waiting to be found!

Categories: food

There’s always room for JELL-O!!! Sure, a handmade oval casserole is great for baking a cheesy casserole, scalloped potatoes, or even a loaf of bread… but if you know me… it’s more about JELL-O!!! And if you’ve ever been in my kitchen… you know why!