November 2020
Issue #002
Hello Potters
***REMINDER – GENERAL MEETING – Saturday 7th November
9:00am at the club’s shed***
It’s November, how unbelievable, where did the year go? Only 7 weeks to Christmas - time to get those ceramic gifts into the kiln quick smart. There have been lots of things going on, as you will read further in the newsletter. The workshops are happening, the studio has been approved as a ‘covid-19 safe workplace’ and the kilns are firing back to back. So get those pots glazed and finished before it is too late.
Welcome to the first newsletter produced from our new website. To have a look around the website, click this link to take you to the new website.
You will probably see a few familiar faces plus a gallery full of work that has been produced over the past 5 years. We want to see more of our talented members’ work, so upload your pics to our instagram or facebook page or send them by email so that they can be included in the website.
The website is yours to use. If you have any information, workshops, interesting exhibitions, general news, stories or useful tips, just send them in here to be included. The more you use it the more useful it will be – so bookmark the site and come back often to see what’s new.
Ed Trost - newsletter editor
www.shorncliffepotteryclubinc.com.au
Hi everyone, and welcome to our November newsletter! I hope you’ve all had a good month working on your Christmas gifts and getting them ready for firing!
Committee vacancies - Secretary and Treasurer - nominate now!
As advised in our first newsletter, last month, we made a request to our members seeking someone to fill the vacant role of Secretary. We are now also seeking someone to fill the role of Treasurer.
The committee would be extremely grateful to have these roles filled as soon as possible, so this will be an agenda item at our upcoming first General Meeting for SPC Inc club members, see further details about that below.
We will take nominations for these roles prior to the meeting, particularly for anyone who would like to nominate but can’t make it on Saturday, so please let us know by email to: shorncliffepotteryclubinc@hotmail.com which role you are interested in. We will also welcome nominations on the day. Please don’t be shy!
If you have any questions about the roles and what they entail please send us an email, or come down to the shed and have a chat to one of the committee members.
Can all members please consider this, we need help from two of our members to fill these roles to help the club run smoothly.
What we’ve achieved over the last month:
The Club’s shed, committee members and tutor have had another very busy month:
the kilns were running hot with lots of pieces being fired - bisque, earthenware and midfire.
the shed was opened not only for our Thursday and Saturday sessions for our members to work, but also on an ad-hoc basis for members to drop off and pick up firings. With more volunteer Session Supervisors we could open more often… please let us know by email if you’d be interested in becoming a Session Supervisor!
we held a one-day Sgraffito workshop, a 3-week Wheel Work course and a Slip Making workshop.
First General Meeting
Our first General Meeting for SPC Inc Members will be held on Saturday 7th November, starting at 9am at the Club's shed.
This will be a chance for members to meet the committee, vote in a new Secretary and Treasurer, be updated about the Club, its activities and how we're going moving forward. We will also open the floor to questions from members.
If anyone has an item or issue they would like added to the agenda for discussion please let us know by return email.
Due to social distancing requirements, we need to have an idea of how many people will be attending the meeting, so please RSVP by email or the facebook event, to indicate your attendance.
Cheers and happy reading!
Tamara Vitale
President, SPC Inc
Christmas is just around the corner
Time to get those Christmas ornaments and gifts in the kiln.
Only 7 weeks to Christmas day.
Don’t panic!
Thursday and Saturday mornings 9.00am—1.00pm
Thursday evenings 6.00pm—9.00pm
SESSION FEE — $7.00 per visit, payable to the club either by EFT to the club’s bank account or via the Square system using your debit/credit card. (We are hoping to achieve a cashless club which will make managing the finances easier for the Treasurer)
Please let us know via email if you are intending to come so we can maintain Covid-19 regulations on numbers in the shed.
Firing and clay purchases
We have put through a few bisque, Earthenware and midfire loads in the last few weeks and the shelves are getting full. We are open Thursday morning, Thursday evening and Saturday morning for drop off and pick up. Also keep an eye on the Facebook page for extra times when we are in to work kilns and you can come to pick up or drop off then.
Our Number 2 Kiln is getting tired but is still getting through stoneware at the moment, we’ll keep you updated.
Clay purchases for members at the club, please fill out the clay purchase book and include the clay type, your membership number and the date of your bank transfer. For any special clay orders please email the Club with clay type and we will check on availability and get back to you.
Gus Saunders, committee member
Pottery Club Library
Are you in need of inspiration for a new clay project or just some more pottery facts?
There is a free library for members that has many publications available for you to borrow. It's a bookshelf near the kitchen at the shed, next to the sink, and you will have passed it on your way to make a cup of tea.
All you need to do to borrow a book or journal, is to make your selection and fill out your details in the loan notebook. You will find the notebook tucked in the shelf at about shoulder level, and it is distinctive with its red, yellow and blue stripes.
The running of the library is based on an honesty system, and you can determine how much time you need to read the item.
Grab a book when you are next at the shed, and be inspired to start a new masterpiece in clay!
Clare Houston, committee member
Membership note
Our name may be the same, but processes for joining and being a member of the Shorncliffe Pottery Club Incorporated (SPC Inc) have changed. Now that our club is incorporated we are a separate and independent entity. This new independence means that the SPC Inc has control over the club’s income and expenditure. The club has its own bank account and membership is now also independent of PCYC.
The club needs your membership and support to first of all function and then to continue to grow. All members are required to fill in a membership form and complete the terms and conditions part of the form.
Becoming a member
There are several ways in which you can join the club.
Membership can be completed using pen and paper. You can do this by collecting and filling in a paper copy of the membership form located at the club. Be sure to also read the terms and conditions and tick the membership form to indicate that you will abide by these.
The form can be left at the club for collection, scanned and emailed to the membership secretary, or posted by snail mail.
The email address for the membership secretary is: shorncliffepotteryclubincmembership@hotmail.com
The postal address for membership forms is: PO Box 85, Petrie Q 4502.
If you are still having difficulty, you can email the membership secretary to email or post to you a membership form for you to complete. Another option is to use the link on the club’s webpage where an online contact form can be completed. It is located at this address https://www.shorncliffepotteryclubinc.com.au/about
Complete the form and hit the submit button. The membership secretary will receive your email request and send a membership form to you.
When your membership has been processed you will receive an email from the membership secretary confirming your membership. The email will also contain a member number for you. Please use this number when making transactions at the club for clay, workshops/courses, and workshop access. We will have a list of member names and their membership number at the club should you forget.
Payment
Membership payment can be made at the club using our Square ‘tap and go’. A debit or credit card can be used for this transaction.
Payment can also be made by bank transfer. Our bank details are:
BSB: 064 124
Account: 1051 8225
Reference: ‘your name’ SPCI Mship
This information is also on the membership form.
Stay informed
Know what is happening at the club and its activities by joining our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/shorncliffepotteryclubinc/ or following us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ShorncliffePotteryClubInc/.
Or sign up on our website for the monthly newsletter: https://www.shorncliffepotteryclubinc.com.au/newsletters
or you can use the form below.
Ann Gillespie, membership secretary
Don’t forget!
You need to be a member of our new club to access our facilities and join in the workshops and courses.
HANDBUILDING — November 7, 14, 21. Saturdays 1.00—4.30pm
This course is suited to all levels from beginners to those with some experience. We love that our members are enthusiastic about learning all aspects of clay work. If you are interested, please contact us on our email: shorncliffepotteryclubinc@hotmail.com
Bookings are essential.
We’d like to feature your work in the Newsletter so be sure to get your phones out and take some photos of your current project or a work in progress. It’s inspiring for all of the members :-)
Send to Ed at: shorncliffepotteryclubinc@hotmail.com
Handmade pinecone ornaments
I plan to have a ‘bush theme’ going on with my tree this year and I was inspired to make some new ornaments with things I had on hand. They are very easy to make and look great. Use household string to make the hanging ties.
courtesy Lindsey Dacey
Mosaic Club Exhibition and Garden Party
This November Gallery 4017 showcases the highly creative and unique works of the members of our Mosaic Club. Guided by the deft hand of facilitator Anne Gadsby, the group has grown over the years and each Saturday morning is alive with enthusiasm. So drop by and support the mosaic artists. Reasonably priced for such labour-intensive and passionate artwork.
The Mosaic Club Exhibition opens on Saturday 7th November at 2.00pm. The exhibition runs till 28th November. All are welcome.
Australian Ceramics Open Studios 2020
Saturday, 21 November to Sunday, 22 November 2020 from 10:00am - 4:00pm
Are you feeling the need for more clay inspiration?
Do you need an excuse for a day trip out and about?
Or are you in the mood for some ceramics-based networking?
Open Studios are scheduled for the weekend of 21st and 22nd November. The event is organized by the Australian Ceramics Association. www.australianceramics.com
If you go to the website you can search pottery studios by area and distance. There are 26 open studios listed within 200km of Brisbane, with some within Brisbane, and more places on the Gold and Sunshine coasts, and more further afield in Northern NSW.
This is a great way for potters to support each other after what has been a difficult year for most people. And it is also a great way to pick up new tips and ideas of how you might improve your own workspace.
More information can be found on their website and also on their Facebook page.
click here to locate an open studio near you
Brisbane Visual Arts Community
Christmas Pop-Up Shop
Gold Coast Potters Association
173 Ashmore Road, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia 4217
Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 9 AM – 2 PM
Use wire racks to dry clay slabs and tiles
Slabs and tiles are especially prone to warping and cracking because they usually have only one long surface exposed to the air, causing the slab to dry unevenly.
One method to enable a slab or tile to dry evenly is to place it on a wire rack after it has been formed.
Doing it this way helps decrease the possibility of the clay being folded or severely bent which causes internal stress that can lead to warping.
Maybe you have a tip you’d like to share.
Send to Ed at: shorncliffepotteryclubinc@hotmail.com
Slab on wire rack for drying
Roll out a slab onto a piece of fabric.
Lift it, in a sling-like fashion, and move it onto a wire rack to dry.
courtesy Beth Peterson
5 glazing tips and tricks
Committee members 2020:
President: Tamara Vitale
Vice President: Ken Bull
Secretary: position currently vacant
Acting Treasurer: Ken Bull
Committee members: Gus Saunders, Linda Rosenthal, Clare Houston & Ann Gillespie
Newsletter editor: Ed Trost
Contact: shorncliffepotteryclubinc@hotmail.com
