Gary Jackson: Fire When Ready Pottery
A Chicago potter’s somewhat slanted view of clay & play
Categories: holiday, The Ghouls Collection

The Ghouls are popping up everywhere! Another set making their spooky debut at Tracy’s place! She’s got a pretty-sweet collection… and I’m loving them on the grassy-raffia base!

And did you miss out on collecting The Ghouls???
There “just might be” another chance to grab a couple of them this coming Wednesday evening on my pottery Facebook page! More details coming soon…

Categories: architecture, craftsmanship

While the HAMILTON stage is pretty amazing, what with the set, lighting & rotating stage… but the theater itself is pretty SPECTACULAR too!!! I’m always amazed by the architectural grandeur of the classic Chicago theater palaces. Last night we were in the Nederlander Theater which gets me every time!!! Crazy cool architecture & craftsmanship like they just don’t make any more!

Categories: creativity, friends, music

After dinner last night… THIS HAPPENED!!!

And yes, it was so exciting to finally be “in the room where it happened.” Such an amazing show!!! So well-crafted, such amazing wordplay, incredible choreography & talented performances!!! Such an amazing way to continue celebrating BIRTHDAY WEEK with my co-birthday buddy Nancy!!!

Categories: food, holiday

Last night we continued BIRTHDAY WEEK with a yummy dinner at Macello on the Near West Side of Chicago. So much fun celebrating & eating with my friend Nancy… who has the same birthday as me!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!!!

Categories: food, holiday

Special THANKS… burp… to Jeni’s Ice Creams for offering free ice cream for your birthday celebration!!! You get a free TRIO of flavors!!! So Wednesday night I did… burp… a couple times! As no one ever said you’re limited to stopping at just ONE Jeni’s location!!!… burp!

Categories: food, holiday

So the past couple days have been great… and we’re not done yet! It’s officially BIRTHDAY WEEK!!! Thanks so much to everyone for their great birthday wishes. You sure know how to make a guy smile!!! Love you all. Thanks again… and let’s keep the party going!!!

Categories: holiday, terra cotta, The Ghouls Collection

It’s a spooky Friday the 13th night… and it looks like there are more ghouls coming out to play! Yep, another line-up of my Halloween characters hanging out on a bookshelf! Not quite the “full” Ghouls Collection… but quite a few nonetheless! They’re all made as a Limited Edition. And when the new “yearly” character is gone, they’re gone for good. But… there “might just be” a little bit of a “Ghouls & Pumpkins Sale” only on my pottery Facebook page next week of those characters still in my inventory!!! More details coming… Pirates & Devils & Scarecrows, oh my.

Categories: flowers

With the rain & cooler weather, one of my dahlia plants is going crazy!!! Suddenly tons of blooms… all different colors on the same bush! Although many of the flowers are too big for the stems to support them with the rain & wind. Just trying to enjoy them as much as I can… as we all know the cold overnight-frosts can’t be too far away!!!!

Categories: surface decoration, textures, tools

A bit more carving with my favorite DiamondCore Tools … creating a fun texture covering the entire exterior of the bowl. For a hot-minute I considered carving the interior the same way… but didn’t… thought it might be too much to clean later?! But now I’m cautiously reconsidering…

Categories: inspiration

Words to live by… every day… especially when a van pulls up next to you and THIS is staring back at you through your car window!!!