June 2022
ISSUE #021
Hello Potters
Well what a plethora of festivals and art trails coming up, so don’t forget to visit them for great artistic bargains and inspiration for the soul.
First up, is the Samford and Surrounds Art Trail held throughout June – it is definitely not to be missed. Loads of creative people and studios to see, including our own Ann G.
Einbunpin Festival is on at the end of next month, so if you want to participate – get your skates on. We also need people to volunteer to run the stall. If you have some time put your hand up to help – it will be greatly appreciated.
It’s also not too far away to the 4017 Bayside Open Studios and Expressions 2022 exhibition, so get creative. Time will fly past quickly.
There are also some more useful pottery tips further down that may make your creative pottery life much easier – so read on.
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.
Ed Trost - newsletter editor
club email: shorncliffepotteryclubinc@hotmail.com
Hi Everyone and welcome to our June 2022 edition.
With the winter chill starting to make itself known don’t be surprised to find the roller doors down when you come to the shed during any one of our 18 open sessions this month, particularly if it is windy, and on top of all our open sessions we also have:
the full day Helen Davies decorative techniques on clay workshop on Sunday 5 June. There are only a couple of places left for the workshop, so have a read of the details further below and let us know ASAP by email if you’re keen to join in: shorncliffepotteryclubincmembership@hotmail.com, and
a member’s general meeting. Members keep an eye on your inbox and at the shed for a meeting notice to lock in the date and time.
I hope you enjoy the short reports and handy hints in this month’s newsletter.
Cheers and happy potting!
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 at the time by debit or credit card at the shed.
From the Kiln Corner
By the time this goes to print we will have fired the kilns up for the 34th load for the year. Busy, busy.
We have had a few issues with kilns but hopefully this is resolved. Gus has lowered the temperature in kiln 2 as it was over firing.
In general the kilns are going well. We have had two issues with glaze going onto shelf but no major catastrophes. We still have to check the bottoms and wipe off if we have any concerns and often use sacrificial plates to protect shelves. Remember to really clean off bottom of your pieces and don’t put glaze on too thickly as it can run or crawl. This is especially problematic when dipping. Waxing bottoms also helps.
One request is to place firing pieces on the shelves not on the weighing table, as people are using the scales and also it is used when loading and unloading the kilns, so there is potential for things to get knocked around. If in doubt about where to place pots due to limited space talk to the volunteer supervisor.
Also can everyone to be conscious regarding cleaning tools, bats, banding wheels, water containers, tables etc. Please clean before putting away, and if you see things that aren’t cleaned take the initiative to clean them. Wet things often look ok, but once dried are not so clean looking. Taking a dry towel to wipe over them is helpful. With tables, a heavy film of water allowed to sit for a minute and then sponged or brushed and sponged is more likely to clean the clay off. I use a brush when clay is heavy on the table - then sponge. Don’t forget the side of the wheels and floor, chairs and kettle too.
A member (she wants to remain nameless) has taken to cleaning and organising tools near the front door. A big thank you as this saves Gus and I from having to do it. Phew. Thank you so, so much.
If anyone else would like to take on a regular task let me know.
Keep on playing with clay.
Gus, 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!
Gift Certificates Now Available
The SPCI Gift Certificate is now available for purchase from the Membership Officer. If you would like to purchase this wonderful gift contact Ann G. here at: shorncliffepotteryclubincmembership@hotmail.com
Club Clay Options and Details
These are the current clay bodies that we generally 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.
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 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 document or you can request a copy from the Membership Officer here or you can read it here.
Grant Money Put To Good Use
You may have read in an earlier newsletter that the club was successful in receiving a volunteer’s grant from the Lilley Volunteer Grant Scheme.
As a result of the grant, when you attend a session at the club, you will be greeted by a new Square (as pictured) that will assist you in paying for your attendance and firing. All going well you will be able to conduct all monetary transactions using this new system and alleviate a lot of work for our wonderful volunteer supervisors.
A big Thank You goes to Anika Wells MP for Lilley, for making this possible.
Shorncliffe Pottery Club Inc. has signed up with Containers for Change - a simple recycling system for cans and bottles. It’s easy to do. Take your recyclables to a Containers for Change site and use our unique Scheme ID number for the money from the recycling to go directly into the Shorncliffe Pottery Club Inc. bank account.
Club’s Scheme ID Number: C10465553
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 kitchenette.
$143.90
thank you!
Workshop Update
The six week wheel workshop #2 lead by Clare H. is running along well from all accounts. We can’t wait to see all of the new skills these potters have developed.
Decorative Techniques on Clay Workshop
Coming up on Sunday 5th June we have the workshop ‘Decorative techniques on clay’ with Helen Davey. Helen is inspiring and will show some really interesting techniques. There will be some hands-on for this workshop. This is a full day workshop and will suit both hand builders and wheel throwers alike.
About Helen
Potter, Ceramic Artist, Artist and Pottery Teacher
Clay intrigues me in its entirety – its qualities and the processes by which it can be formed and fired to a near-permanent state. The act of creating something out of virtually nothing is mysteriously enthralling and this medium constantly offers unseen potential. These qualities about clay art have taken me on a 37 year journey.
My passion motivates me to continue pursuing new and innovative ideas for my own work, enjoying a creative environment at my home based studio, gallery and meditative space in my garden, in Brisbane, Australia.
Decorative techniques are enthralling, consuming and never ending given the nature of ceramics and all the wonderful materials available to us. This intrigues me the most and I continue to be absorbed by decorative techniques and the “what if” factor.
See more about Helen: www.creativeclay.com.au
About the workshop
Discovering the ultimate personality of your ceramic surface
This workshop will comprise of discussion, demonstration and hands on segments. The workshop will allow you to create decorative techniques using glazes which will be unique to you.
We will explore creating your own individual palette of colours using glazes at your disposal and formulating a unique glaze grid for future use, reference and pleasure.
The main themes of the day will be using an infinite number of resist techniques, glaze on glaze, application and use of oxides to enhance your work and palette.
The details
Date: Sunday 5th June
Cost: Members price $170.00 payable in advance.
Non-members $190.00 (or become a member for the discounted price of $26 for the balance of our financial year – October). There will be no cancellations for this workshop, unless a replacement participant can be found.
Time: 9.00am to 4.00pm, with a lunch break.
This workshop is a mix of demonstration and hands on.
There are a couple of places still available.
Some samples of Helen’s work
Club Tuition for Members
by Members
Tuition could be in wheel throwing, handbuilding or glaze making. The rate is $35 per session for up to 3 hours, but could be less dependent upon session length. From this, the club will take 20% commission. All payments must go via 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
Archaeologists discover fragments of terracotta statues in Alexandria. (Image: Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities)
Ancient Roman Pottery Workshop Discovered in Egypt
By Callum McKelvie
Archaeologists in Egypt have discovered an ancient Roman pottery workshop — with the remains of rounded vessels, coins, figurines and even a 'ritual room' — dating to the beginning of the Roman period in Tabba Matouh, west Alexandria. The site dates back to early Roman Egypt, which began in 30 B.C. following future Roman emperor Octavian's defeat of Anthony and Cleopatra. Following the Roman conquest, Egypt became a highly prosperous Roman province that supplied the rest of the Roman Empire with a variety of craft-based products, including pottery.
Ancient workers primarily used the site for crafting amphorae — two-handled vessels with a neck narrower than the main body that were used for the storage and transportation of goods such as oil and grain. Archaeologists also discovered a number of buildings at the site, including a workshop containing a group of kilns. Two of these were carved into the rock and one remains in excellent condition.
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:
Megan Bakewell, Ken Bull, Rebecca Dobson, Adriane Gower, Marissa Lindquist, Donna Mahon, Kath Marmo, Margaret Pettit, Stephanie Roth, Gus Saunders, Karen Sharpe, Sheryl Vaccaro, Susanne Vincent.
If we have missed anybody, our sincere apologies – drop us an email so that we can include you next time!
Samford and Surrounds
Arts Trail
4 – 26 June 2022
The Samford and Surrounds Arts Trail is finally here, and what a line up! Be sure to check out the guide and the socials pages to keep up to date.
If you have any questions please email the Trails Coordinator Mel Strauss at trails@creativesamford.com or visit the website www.creativesamford.com
SAS’s Grace Cross has a new exhibition at Baaia Restaurant 94 Flinders Parade, Sandgate throughout June. If you have attended any of the recent Expressions exhibitions you will recognise Grace’s iconic work. So expect a unique visual experience and enjoy everything that Grace and the Baaia menu have to offer.
4017 Bayside Open Studios
15 – 16 & 22 – 23 October 2022
Following is an initial Expression of Interest form for members who would like to be included in the 4017 Bayside Open Studios. Shorncliffe Pottery Club Inc will again be open to the public with demonstrations and items for sale, for both weekends, if you wish to participate through the club. So keep that in mind as we will be calling for volunteers to demonstrate and manage the studio closer to the date.
So if you have a home studio, or commercial venture that you would like to be included, copy the form into your email program, fill it out and email it to Grace.
4017 Bayside Open Studios
Artist Participation
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Artist Name_____________________________________ Mobile______________________
Post Code you currently reside in___________
Artist Media__________________________________________
Studio Name__________________________________________
(If known)
Studio Address ________________________________________
(If known)
What Artists will you be sharing space with_______________________________________
(If known)
___________________________________________________________________________
Studio Type Artists are asked to select from the following for our planning purposes:
Check all that apply to your circumstances. 4017 BOS will be actively looking for pop up studio spaces for artists without a home studio to work in.
___My own studio space
___Shared studio space with other members. Who_________________________
___Venue other than a studio. I.e.: Public space or community hub, etc.
___No studio - interested in sharing a community space with others (artists are encouraged to set up their own working space in the shared space to emulate their own environment as closely as possible.) ___I am willing to share my space with another artist as mutually agreed upon.
Please email this Expressions of Interest Form to Grace Cross, so we can start planning our event.
grace@naracoopagallery.com.au or mail to 60 Phillips St Bracken Ridge 4017
or SMS Grace with your form 0412 147 456
‘Collected Wisdom’ Handy Hints
Groovy Baby indeed. We are fortunate to have received a very groovy book titled “Collected Wisdom – 50 years of handy hints” from the Ceramic Study Group, Australia supplied to us by Clare H. from her recent trip to Gulgong. It is a collection of tips and techniques gathered and published in their newsletters since the 1960’s. Each month we will delve into this vast archive of information regarding all things ceramics and bring to you snippets of their collected wisdom.
JUNE 1974 newsletter – Mending Cracks
Leatherhard: If the clay is still leather hard, a crack can often be mended by gentle pressure from a modelling tool. If the ware is dry, make a slurry from dry clay (same clay as the pot) and vinegar and press it well into the crack and then smooth off.
Bisqueware: A fine hair crack can often be filled by filling it by rubbing it with another piece of bisqueware made from the same clay, pushing the fine grog thus produced well into the crack with finger. If the crack is wide fill it with a paste made from fine grog and a little bit of glaze which you are going to use on the pot.
Reglazing: Sometimes it is difficult to get a second coat of glaze to adhere to an unsatisfactory glazed pot. Lokrete or Bondcrete (a cement sealing compound sold in hardware stores) mixed 50/50 with water, painted over the pot and allowed to dry, gives a very satisfactory "key" which makes reglazing much easier. This process is made quicker still if the pot is first warmed in the oven or on top of a kiln. The glue burns out in the firing and makes no difference to the glaze.
Courtesy COLLECTED WISDOM | 50 years of handy hints from the Ceramic Study Group, Australia
Stack and Slam Wedging
If you have any trouble with your wrists or hands you will probably find wedging clay difficult. Stack and slam wedging is the answer and makes wedging a possibility. Plus, it’s actually quite enjoyable! Click the green arrow above to watch the video.
Stack and slam wire wedging involves stacking one block of clay upon another and slicing through both blocks. The sliced blocks are then sandwiched together and slammed on the table a few times to compact them. These are then sliced down the middle again, and the process is repeated.
Wedging clay is unlikely to become any potter’s favourite part of the day. However, the stack and slam wire wedging method is speedy and efficient. And once, you get into a flow, it can feel quite satisfying. All that slamming is a good way to get your frustrations out and it’s cheaper than therapy!
(Editor: It is also a great way of combining clays to make agateware. Remember though, it is important to use clays that fire at a similar temperature and have similar shrinkage rates.)
Courtesy www.thepotterywheel.com
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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