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

“Whatever mess you make, YOU will be cleaning it up.”

And they do willingly… even cleaning the floor if they spill water or slip. My campers learn the very first day that cleaning up after themselves is all part of the process. Now if we could just get a few more of the adult students to do the same?!

Categories: challenge, summer camp, wheelthrowing

As if Wheelthrowing Summer Camp weren’t fun enough… I challenged my pre-teen campers to do a little blindfolded throwing!!! And they LOVED it!!! After just two-and-a-half days of learning to throw on a pottery wheel, I think they did an AMAZING JOB… and the giggles were absolutely contagious!!!

Categories: bike, sunrise

Just a little warm & steamy this morning… and I don’t think I’ve stopped sweating yet, even after my shower?! But it was well worth it with a beautiful sunrise to start another sweaty day!

Categories: bike, sunrise

Not a lot of clouds, but a good amount of hazy colors.
Shimmering reflections on perfectly still water. A very serene morning on my bike.

Categories: food, pottery, stamped

You know I love a yummy national holiday… like today being NATIONAL CHEESECAKE DAY! So I just had to “celebrate” tonight after teaching my pottery class! Thank you Eli’s!!!

Categories: flowers

Another favorite flower… purple echinacea very similar to my other favorite black-eyed susan! Always fun when they bloom & the butterflies find them in time to spread the lovin’!

Categories: mugs, summer camp

HAPPY MUGSHOT MONDAY… celebrating with this sweet little Summer Camper mug!!! Sure, a little rough around the edges, but it shows promise… and they were only 9-years old!!!

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: flowers, garden, weather
Categories: bike, sunrise

Layers of clouds. Layers of colors. Layers of places for the sun to hide behind. Another beautiful morning for a bike ride along the lakefront.