July 2021
ISSUE #010
Hello Potters
It’s July – where did the first half of the year go? At least there are still lots of exhibitions to attend and it is even closer to Expressions in October. Tamara has some big news regarding Expressions so don’t forget to read her report. We are still looking for support in the running of the club and Expressions, information is below in the Club News section, so if you can help in any way, please let us know. Plus there are some useful pottery tips that may make your creative pottery life much easier.
We really want to see our talented members’ work, so upload your pics to our instagram or facebook page, or email them for inclusion on our social media sites.
Ed Trost - newsletter editor
club email: shorncliffepotteryclubinc@hotmail.com
Hi Everyone and welcome to our July edition!
Well first up, I’m very excited to share TWO upcoming events:
Einbunpin Festival ~ Sunday 25 July:
The Einbunpin Festival, held in the middle of Sandgate, is happening next month and we will have a stall there to sell members wares and provide throwing demonstrations… so wonderful members please let us know ASAP via email (to Shorncliffepotteryclubinc@hotmail.com) if you:
have items that you would like to sell,
would like to volunteer to do a shift at the stall (morning shift: (8am) set up to lunch time; afternoon shift: lunch time to pull down (4pm). We’d like 2 or 3 people per shift - so no one will be there alone.)
would like to provide a demonstration on wheel throwing (recycled clay will be provided for you).
and
Expressions Exhibition ~ Friday 22 - Sunday 24 October at the Callan Centre, St Patrick’s College:
Yes! Our Club exhibition is locked in to go ahead this year! We have a venue and the planning is about to start. So put the dates in your diaries and get started on your entries… if you haven’t already!
We are also seeking volunteers to help us make this a successful event - many hands will help with such a big event! If you would like to help on the Expressions organising sub-committee or can offer help in other ways - i.e. assisting with moving plinths, setup or pack down - whatever your contribution can be will be greatly appreciated. Please express’ion your interest via email to Shorncliffepotteryclubinc@hotmail.com.
Now for a health and safety announcement…
The second thing I wanted to talk about this month is health and safety when working with clay (and glazes) when it is in its dry state, and to bring your attention to a condition called silicosis. It is not a sexy topic and I don’t want to alarm anyone but it is a topic that should be discussed when you first start working with clay, and it is good to be reminded about it even if you have been potting for a long time.
When I started on my clay journey the main rule that was drummed into me was to always clean up with water - with a sponge or mop, never with a brush or broom, but I didn’t really understand why this is so important? “Because the dust can be hazardous for your health.” This can be a hard question to answer succinctly, however, I recently came across this 12 minute YouTube video by Earth Nation Ceramics and I think it explains it perfectly. He gives you more information in this video than what I can give you here in writing - discussing what silicosis is, clay dust and cleaning up (…and the benefits of using an air filter if your studio is in a small enclosed space).
This video has reminded me of the importance of health and safety practices, and I hope it has a positive impact on you too.
Well that is enough from me for now,
Cheers and happy reading!
Tamara Vitale – President, SPC Inc.
Tuesday + Thursday + Saturday Mornings
9:00am—1:00pm
Thursday Evenings
6:00pm—9:00pm
SESSION FEE — $7.00 per visit, payable either in person using your debit or credit card or by EFT to the club’s bank account.
Account name: Shorncliffe Pottery Club Inc.
Bank details: BSB 064124
Account number: 10518225
Please let us know via email if you are intending to come to the club so we can maintain Covid-19 regulations on numbers within the studio.
From the Kiln Corner
As usual the kiln fires burn pretty consistently. Midfire just came out and Stoneware has been started.
Keep those creative ideas flowing as we need creations for Zillmere Library for the month of August, as they have a small glass cabinet for us to show off the pottery. And of course Expressions is coming in October.
Gus was finally able to get clay and there is a variety of clay in the back room waiting to be put to use. Clare’s sheet on qualities of various clays and best usage for different clays will be hung in the back room by the clay as well as being posted in this newsletter.
There are a few pieces that have been waiting to get picked up on the bottom shelf in the back room. Please check if they are yours as they will be disposed of if not picked up by end of July. I have been putting unclaimed pieces in box in backroom and they can be used to practice glazing or glazed and donated to club for raffles etc.
Catherine and Gabriel are constantly working to keep you supplied with glazes. The Buttermilk especially has a habit of disappearing rapidly. They deserve a big thanks for keeping the glazes made up and tested.
That is it from the kiln and the glaze crew.
Greg, Linda, Catharine and Gabriel
Do you know anyone that shows an interest in your pottery?
If you do, why not invite them to come and try pottery for themselves. The first session is free and you know that once you have made something with clay… you’re hooked!
If you haven’t already – don’t forget to join the club!
Remember you need to be a member of our club to use the facilities and have first access to join the workshops.
shorncliffepotteryclubincmembership@hotmail.com
Being Respectful, Feeling Safe
The club’s Code of Conduct was written to guide the safety and respect of members. Developing friendships, being co-operative, sharing ideas and skills as well as being respectful to each other in words and actions is something in which the club takes great pride. When members are working in the SPC Inc. studio or interacting with other members via electronic means, everyone has a right to feel safe and not harrassed.
The Code of Conduct can be found in your membership documentation or you can request a copy from the Membership Officer here or you can read it here.
Help Please
Since incorporation Shorncliffe Pottery Club has been running with a core committee of seven. Within this committee the members have multiple roles. These roles are ongoing and necessary for the smooth running of the club for its members. There are other initiatives and opportunities available to the club, but we would like some more assistance to make these happen.
In the day to day running of the club, Gus and Linda are doing a great job managing the kilns and firing, keeping the club clean and the storeroom well arranged. They make sure that everything that members need when they arrive at the club is there for them. To enable the club to be open on more days and to give our two hard workers some time for other things some assistance in the day to day operations of the club would be greatly appreciated.
Tamara our president is currently also doing the role of treasurer. There are many things that Tamara does on behalf of the club especially in making phone calls and making contact with members of our community for assistance and this has been very noticeable in organising the Expressions Exhibition, liaising with SASArt for the Easter Art Show, and in making contact with the Brisbane City Council to secure a lease for the premises.
We are urgently seeking a member to take on the role of treasurer on a more permanent basis. The accounting system we have is very, very simple – no specialised software is involved.
There are many opportunities for clubs to access Grants, such as the Gaming Fund. These funds allow clubs to purchase much needed equipment and to expand and renovate their facilities. The committee has identified items which would make things easier for the members and Grant funding could cover these items.
Thanks goes to Caecelia Skipsey who has volunteered to help write the Grant proposals. Her experience in successfully preparing Grant applications for the Girl Scouts will be greatly appreciated. If you hear of any Grants please email the committee to let them know to pass onto Caecelia.
It has been a yearly and much anticipated event for the Shorncliffe Pottery Club Inc. and SASArt to hold the Expressions Exhibition. However, it was after the Easter Exhibition that the committee members realised that for Expressions to be successful many more volunteer helpers would be necessary. To be able to continue to hold exhibitions, the committee seeks the assistance of some members to form a sub-committee to manage the Expressions Exhibition and exhibitions into the future.
For members, if you find that you can help in any way please contact us on the club email. shorncliffepotteryclubinc@hotmail.com
Zillmere Library Display
Zillmere Library at the corner of Zillmere Road and Jennings Street in Zillmere has offered us a small cabinet, about 1 metre square, to display pots or sculptures in for the month of August. We are looking for members to bring in pots or sculptures to go into the cabinet. It is only a small area so may not be suitable for larger pieces. Bring your piece in by July 27 and let Linda know via email that you are doing so: shorncliffepotteryclubinc@hotmail.com Don’t forget to put your name and clay type on the bottom of your piece.
Club Clay Options and Details
These are the current clay bodies that we have in our store. If you have another clay that you prefer speak to Gus or Linda to see if they can get it in for you.
click on image to enlarge
Club Glazing Process
from Gabriel Knauth
The glazes we have available at the club are designed to be dipped, poured or sprayed. Dipping is the easiest way to ensure an even application, and pouring, with a little practice, is the next. Spraying and brushing takes more practice, time and attention. I love to spray clear glaze over my decorated pots to ensure a thin application. This method is great for large vessels and also doesn’t contaminate the bucket of clear glaze with oxides or underglazes.
Glazing Tips and Techniques
Select an appropriate glaze for your clay body. Earthenware glazes are suitable for earthenware clays. Midfire glazes are suitable for midfire clays. Stoneware glazes are suitable for stoneware clays.
Remove all dust before Glazing by wiping over with a barely wet sponge.
Glazes must be well mixed. I use one of the toilet brushes stored with the glazes as it mixes the glazes easily and doesn’t introduce many air bubbles.
Glazes should be applied to the thickness of a credit card/small paper clip. To check the thickness of a glaze, scrape off a small amount using a needle tool. Once checked, the scratch can be filled in by smoothing out the surrounding glaze with a dry finger.
Glaze all the interiors of your pots first by pouring the glaze in, then rolling it around for complete coverage. For thinner pieces it may be necessary to glaze the insides 24 hours before the outside, to give you a drier form to work with.
When dipping glazes, select a dipping container that is taller and wider than your piece to ensure full coverage. A wide shallow bucket is ideal and will allow you to dip or pour glaze over larger vessels. When glazing, fully submerge the form for three seconds to create an even layer of glaze.
Don’t brush glaze from the big glaze bucket. Pour a small amount into a small container, then briskly stir it occasionally to ensure that it stays properly mixed. Keep a large, damp sponge nearby to keep the brush handle clean. Stray drips often start with a handle full of glaze.
Spraying is the second quickest way to glaze a piece, but there are safety precautions that must be taken when spraying. You must wear a P2 dusk mask to ensure that you are not inhaling glaze particles and you also must use the dedicated spray booth outside. Spraying a glaze on instead of dipping, pouring, or brushing can be extremely fast and easily creates a very even coating.
When removing unwanted glaze, scrape off as much of it as you can with a small metal scraper to keep a sharp line. A damp sponge removes the remaining glaze with a few strokes, keeping water usage to a minimum.
If a drip flows onto a previously glazed surface, stop, set the pot down and wait. Resist the urge to wipe the drip with a sponge. Let the drip dry, then carefully scrape it off with a metal rib. Use a small compact brush to wipe away glaze in areas you can’t reach with a sponge.
When cleaning off your bottoms, push your pot across a flat, damp sponge. The sponge removes some of the glaze from the contact areas, indicating where you need to wipe off the remaining glaze.
Before putting the glaze bucket away, scrape down any glaze from the sides of the bucket, including any dry glaze caked on the sides.
Any excess brushed glaze and/or contaminated glazes can be placed in one of the two “Mystery Glaze” buckets in the back room (stoneware and mid fire). Periodically, we will test these “Mystery Glazes” and make the limited edition colours available with the other glazes.
Shorncliffe Pottery Club Inc. has signed up with Containers for Change - a simple recycling system for cans and bottles. So if you would like to help the club and donate the money you receive from recycling your cans and bottles, now you can.
It’s easy to do. Take your cans and bottles to a Containers for Change site and use our unique Scheme ID number to have the money go directly to the Shorncliffe Pottery Club Inc. bank account.
The club’s Scheme ID number is: C10465553
Save the Scheme ID to your phone by downloading the Containers for Change app
If the Scheme ID isn't working (argh technology!) and you get cash instead from the recycling machine, just pop the money in the tea jar in the club’s kitchen.
There is a Containers for Change recycle site directly across from the Club entrance. But they are all over the city as well – just check out their website here for one closest to you.
EASY as 1 2 3
Each month in the newsletter we will update the amount generated from the recycling of your cans and bottles. So don’t throw out those cans and bottles – recycle them for the benefit of the club and watch the dollars grow.
$39.70
thank you!
There will be further workshops as the year progresses and the committee is exploring other presenters who may be available to extend the members’ skills. Please let the committee know if there are any pottery related skills you would like to learn about. Watch this space to see further workshop offers in the second half of this year.
Club Tuition for Members
by Members
Tuition could be in wheel throwing, handbuilding and glaze making. The rate is $35 per session for up to three hours, but could be less dependent upon session length. From this, the club will take 20% commission. All payments must go through the club.
The club entry fee of $7 will apply for the learner member, but the tutor will be admitted as a volunteer for that session.
If this is something that you would like as a tutor or a learner please contact the committee using the club email : shorncliffepotteryclubinc@hotmail.com
Samford Art Trail Review
On a glorious Sunday in June we went to Samford and Surrounds Arts Trail and Open Studios 2021. It was fun and interesting and stimulates one to consider new ways of creating. I highly recommend it. We visited 23 studios and viewed SPCI member Ann Gillespie's pots (see above) and had a great chat about glass with Karoline Cummings who makes glass beads and silver clay jewellery. You can view Ann's creations on the website Muddydragonfly.com
Soup n Soul Exhibition + Art Market
10 July 2021 – 9am to 3pm
The artists and potters are creating work for the upcoming Soup n Soul Day. Soup in creative bowls and art works on display and for sale. There will be food, music and a coffee van. Also live demonstrations and artists on hand to talk about all the exciting pieces for sale. See our facebook page for more details at Sunshine Coast Art Group Studios www.facebook.com/SCAGBUDERIM
Einbunpin Festival
SPCI have a stall again this year at the Einbunpin Festival so if you would like to exhibit some of your pottery let the SPCI committee know via email. We also need volunteers to man the stall and to demonstrate how to use the pottery wheel. It is always a fun day so let the SPCI committee know via email of your intention to help.
Silicosis, The Dusty Killer
Silicosis is a serious issue for potters and safety guidelines are something that all potters should be aware of in the studio. This video above from Earth Nation Ceramics describes the issues and procedures to mitigate the risks, although towards the end he does start to review an air filter supplied to him by a sponsor. Further information about Silicosis and good studio practise is in this next video below, from a NZ potter.
Wear a Mask
This video from NZ Herald Local Focus explains the importance of wearing a mask when sanding pottery, generating ceramic dust or making glazes.
If you have any of the following symptoms below, after being in contact with clay dust or glaze powder, please consult your local doctor.
To all our valued members who are having a birthday this month, we hope you have an exciting day and are spoilt rotten by your loved ones:
Sian McKenzie, Marsha Dektereva-Plant
If we have missed anybody, our sincere apologies – drop us an email so that we can include you next time!
For more info or entry forms contact enquiries@artrageous.org.au
2021 Siliceous Award Entries Open
The $7,000 award will be given to the artist who best presents a work of ceramic excellence in any format. There is also a $1,000 people's choice award generously sponsored by Queensland Electrical Solutions. The 2021 Award is open to ceramicists across Australia and the winning entry will be acquired by Ceramic Arts Queensland for its permanent collection.
Entries close 3 September so - start creating that masterpiece!
Opening Night: Friday 22 October at The Butter Factory Arts Centre Cooroy
Download the entry form, and submit to info@ceramicartsqld.org.au
Texturing Tool for Hand Building
Texturing clay edges prior to joining can be a time-consuming job but not with this little invention. Buy a small rubber furniture castor from your local hardware shop (make sure it is rubber and not plastic) and insert wire staples, evenly around the wheel so it creates a tread. When rolled over wet clay it produces a series of parallel grooves. The staples usually enter the rubber leaving a small gap between it and the surface of the wheel, which is an ideal depth for the texturing. If the staple goes in too far use a screwdriver to pry it out a little. Straight line texturing works better than cross-hatching as the grooves mesh into each other like cogs and knit together more firmly.
Thanks to Linda Rosenthal for this tip courtesy of Dianne Peach
Button texture stamps
Here’s a clever idea to decorate your work. Make a collection of texture stamps from buttons glued onto the ends of corks. That way they can be stamped repeatedly as the cork makes them easy to handle. Just use a glue gun to glue the button on one end (or both). You may have to drink a few bottles of wine for the corks (not all at once - Editor) but this is the sacrifice you sometimes have to make for art.
image courtesy marthastewart.com
Glaze Painting Technique
Here’s an insane way to apply glaze. Try not to hold your breath as you watch Mayuki Kato add the glaze. She uses the surface friction of the pencil outlines to contain the liquid glaze until it dries. A level and steady hand is a prerequisite, as is a very large calligraphy brush.
Thanks to www.ThisIsColossal.com for this mind blowing video
President: Tamara Vitale
Vice President: Ken Bull
Secretary: Caroline Schleimer
Acting Treasurer: Tamara Vitale
Committee Members: Gus Saunders, Linda Rosenthal,
Clare Houston & Ann Gillespie
Newsletter Editor: Ed Trost
Email: shorncliffepotteryclubinc@hotmail.com
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