Gary Jackson: Fire When Ready Pottery
A Chicago potter’s somewhat slanted view of clay & play
Categories: art fair, artists, pottery

Counting the days until THE NORTHERN ILLINOIS POTTERY TOUR… and Kenyon Hansen will also be one of the Guest Potters at Cory McCrory’s studio in Sandwich, Illinois. Kenyon’s pots are pretty darn amazing… and already part of my own personal collection! Well-crafted, clean lines, amazing glazes & great style. I know I can’t wait to see more of his current work, and quite possibly add more to my collection… and you should too!

More details at www.northernilpotterytour.com

Categories: art fair, artists, pottery

We’re just a few days away from THE NORTHERN ILLINOIS POTTERY TOUR… and Linda Lee Kiepke will also be one of the Guest Potters at Cory McCrory’s studio in Sandwich, Illinois. Linda’s illustrations grace the sides of her pots… gestural & sweet. Swing by the Sandwich stop of the tour to see Linda’s work.

More details at www.northernilpotterytour.com

Categories: art fair, artists, pottery

THE NORTHERN ILLINOIS POTTERY TOUR is next weekend… and Nancy Gardner will also be one of the Guest Potters at Cory McCrory’s studio in Sandwich, Illinois. Nancy’s pieces are handbuilt with colorful imagery painted on them… colorful, layered & organic with somewhat of a retro vibe! You’ll definitely want to add one to your collection!

More details at www.northernilpotterytour.com

Categories: art fair, artists, My Talented Friends, pottery

Next weekend is the NORTHERN ILLINOIS POTTERY TOUR… and I will be one of the Guest Potters at my friend Cory McCrory’s studio in Sandwich, Illinois. I’ve been enamored by her whimsical pieces ever since we met MANY years ago at an art fair. Her textures, patterns, colors & whimsy! Make sure you mark your calendar & set your GPS for Sandwich… make it your first stop of the Pottery Tour!

More details at www.northernilpotterytour.com

Categories: food, pottery

Best thing for fresh rhubarb?… a homemade RHUBARB PIE!!! I spent a little too much time at the studio this afternoon… so I didn’t have time for a fancy pie crust tonight. So this is just a “functional” homemade rhubarb pie… hoping that the handmade pie dish & pie plates makes up for the “plain” old pie?!

Categories: art fair, artists, textures

Start your “tour” at the Sandwich stop for the NORTHERN ILLINOIS POTTERY TOUR… just one month away!!! We’ll have plenty of pottery & fun for everyone… including a wide range of textures & patterns!!! Which we’re celebrating today for another TEXTURE TUESDAY!!!

Saturday, June 11th & Sunday, June 12th

Categories: art fair, flower pots, flowers, pottery

It’s finally Spring… and it’s finally time for pretty plants!!! This Friday & Saturday is our second annual PLANTS & POTTERY POP-UP SALE down in Bartonville, Illinois… near Peoria! Hundreds of homegrown plants for your garden, patios & home… and plenty of pottery for everyone! Be sure to share with your friends!

2314 Skyway Road, Bartonville, IL 61607
Friday, May 13th & Saturday, May 14th – 9:00am-4:00pm

Categories: art fair, artists, pottery

This weekend was the St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour! So great to go up for the tour – finally back in-person after two years of “virtualness” due to the pandemic. So much wonderful pottery everywhere, as well as time to chat with the potters. Time to touch the pottery, bask in the creativity, and to take some inspiration & ideas back home… as well as a “few” purchases along the way! We had amazing weather with beautiful blue skies and wonderful Spring temps in the 70’s!!! Huge THANKS to all of the studio hosts, the organizers and all of the potters who participate in this wonderful event… it’s a HUGE undertaking and they make it look so smooth & seamless! Kudos to you all!!!

Categories: pottery, television

No spoilers here… except that I just finished THE GREAT POTTERY THROW DOWN on HBO Max!!! Binged… and done!!!

I just wish there were more episodes… or a U.S. version I could compete & play on?! So many great projects. So many challenges. So much fun!!!

Categories: glaze, pottery, process, production

Time to get some glaze going… luckily, I’m getting ready for a soda kiln firing, so it’s more about liner glazes, inlays & accents… and not fully glazing things. So it “might” go a little quicker?… but everything needs to be wadded too, so maybe not so much?!