November 2024
NOVEMBER 2024 | ISSUE #050
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Hello Potters
Welcome to the 50th issue of the newsletter.
It has come a long way since we incorporated and the new format was introduced in October 2020.
Thank you, one and all for your contributions over the years, without your
support we would never have gotten so far.
From the President
I would like to extend a massive thank you to our three committee members who have recently resigned, Vice President Rose Kelly, Treasurer David Grugeon and Secretary Amy Stevens. Your efforts over this year have been vital in not only keeping the club running smoothly but also in the continuous improvement which is so important to a club’s future.
A Critical General meeting has been called for the 16th November to elect a Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and general member. If you wish to be nominated please talk to Suzanne or email the club here.
We will also discuss our future at the PCYC as we no longer have a lease and vote on changes for the upcoming 2025 memberships. We really need as many members as possible to attend and have their say so please sign up via HelloClub
The 2024 Creative Trail was a massive success with a huge increase in visitors and sales, the club alone sold over $600 in magnets etc. These are a massive undertaking to organise so a huge shout out to Brenda and her team at SASart for making this happen. The new brochure format was hugely successful.
The club looked fabulous thanks to the cleaning bee and artistic display skills of our members including Sandy Roveda, Melina Wales and Catherine Bennett.
Thank you also to Catherine Bennett, Barb Fletcher, Rebecca Mason, Jenny Kingdom, Chrystal Timms, Diane OBrien, Ann Gillespie, Rose Kelly, Kevin Wilson and Steve McConnell for tending the studio.
Rebecca Mason, Melina Wales and Amy Stevens for running workshops.
And everyone who provided pieces to sell and sent their friends and relatives along to check out the club.
Membership renewals will commence on the 1st December so please make sure you have access to your account in Helloclub. If you need a hand please just email the club and we will assist.
New memberships will open on 1 February 2025 so don’t delay your renewal.
You may be aware that October was Safe Work Month throughout Australia. Just like every work place we have a number of rules at the club which are about keeping our members safe so please make sure you follow them. PPE (personal protective equipment) is also available at the club for relevant tasks eg cleaning and painting. For sanding we expect members to provide and wear their own masks. Don’t underestimate the risks and if unsure please talk to your Supervisor.
Happy potting
Suzanne
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 harassed.
The Code of Conduct can be found in your membership documentation or you can request a copy from the Membership Officer here or read it here.
Critical General Members Meeting
Please join us at the club to discuss some critical member issues including:
Electing a Treasurer, Vice President and General Member
Our future at the PCYC as they refuse to give us a current lease
which could leave us without a home2025 memberships including prices and volunteering
When
Saturday 16 November 11:00 – 12:00
Where
Shorncliffe Pottery Club Inc
Hello fellow clay lover!
If you're reading this, you're likely interested in learning more about the important safety aspects of working with clay. Perhaps you've realized there are some unsafe habits you've adopted. Well, you're in the right place, and I'm glad we've connected!
The purpose of this pottery studio poster, is to highlight some key safety aspects when working with clay.
I've noticed many videos on TikTok and lnstagram where individuals, who have gained substantial followings and have only recently started working with clay since Covid or just after, are offering all sorts of clay advice to their audiences. Unfortunately, much of this advice is incorrect. This explains why I see numerous videos of people following these suggestions.
As a Visual Arts teacher and potter with over 30 years of experience, I believe this information will serve as a valuable resource to educate and share the safety aspects of working with clay and the dangers of silicosis.
Understanding Silicosis
Silicosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust, which is present in all ceramic clays and glazes. If you're working in your home - kitchen, living room, or any other room in your house, you'll be creating clay dust and exposing everyone who uses these spaces to this dangerous dust. This is extremely unsafe, and you must reconsider your options. I understand you might be thinking, "But so-and-so does it. .. " To be frank, these individuals clearly have no understanding of the risks involved. Using a bedroom or garage, for example, allows the dust to seep under doors. It's important to note that the dust is fine and will settle into carpets, rugs, clothing, and the floor. The worst thing you can do is vacuum or sweep!
Tips for Staying Safe
Here are some tips to ensure your safety:
Always be vigilant and keep a wet cloth with you as you work. Regularly rinse and wash your hands, work area, & tools if they become dry with clay. Dust can accumulate on unclean tools, boards, pottery wheels, sponges, clothing, hair, and the floor.
Mop your floors regularly - Never vacuum or sweep dried pieces of clay, as it stirs up the dust, unless you have an industrial vacuum with a special filter designed to catch dust. In Australia, builders use these.
Avoid working with clay in your house or in areas with carpet or rugs.
Refrain from eating or drinking while working with clay, as it is unhygienic. Many places advertising clay and sip experiences are unaware of the risks associated with clay dust. They are not thinking of your safety!
Dried glazes also create dust, so use a high-quality dust mask designed for silica. Keep your glaze lids and bottles clean and free of build-up, as even opening glaze tubs with caked-up, dried glaze will create dust.
Store all your clean pottery tools, clay, and materials in a plastic tub to contain the dust and keep it out of reach of young children.
Treat your workspace or studio like any other workplace. Consider safety concerns such as the potential for injury. Wear enclosed shoes, tie your hair up when using your pottery wheel, and avoid wearing studio shoes inside your house.
At home clay kits - If you have used a clay kit and they did not provide any safety information, please write to them and call them out! They are part of this problem. Request that they update their clay kits with this safety information for future users.
I have a blog post on my website www.coastalstudioceramics.com.au/blog with other silica dust related resources and articles for you to read. Please read and share this information with your clay community.
I hope this information is helpful to you, and I encourage you to share it with anyone else who has a passion for working with clay. Please send me an email coastalstudioceramics@gmail.com and let me know if you personally found this information helpful.
Warmest regards,
Jasmine
www.coastalstudioceramics.com.au
Resources for you to watch and read:
What is Silica Dust? - Video by Lung Foundation Australia
ABC News article - lung health warning
Purchase a Silica Dust Mask - I use this mask in my pottery studio
It’s A Wrap
The Inaugural SPC Showcase at Et al Gallery in Sandgate was a huge success. Many fine pieces of pottery were sold, I think even surprising some of their creators. A BIG Thank You to the numerous volunteers who gave up their time and effort to man the desk at the showcase, it couldn’t have happened without you. A special HUGE Thank You to Melanie who was there every day organising all sorts of items and also to Alison for hosting the event at Et al Gallery. Here is a collection of photos from the event, sit back and enjoy the creative skills.
click an image to view larger
Cleaning Bee Wrap
Thank you for the good rollout of volunteers for the Cleaning Bee. We cleaned and prepped for the forthcoming Creative Trails Sandgate and the studio ended up sparkling in the sunlight. Well done to you and to the organisers for giving up your valuable time.
The Great Pottery Throw Down’s
New Season is Coming
The Great Pottery Throwdown news: A massive thank you to Rose who is leaving the show after four series as our kiln technician. Rose has fired everything from gluggle jugs to toilets for our brilliant potters and done her utmost to protect their pieces from the kiln gods. We wish you and your brilliant bow ties the very best for the future.
On a positive note. We're thrilled to welcome Princess back to The Great Pottery Throw Down as our new kiln technician. Princess joined us as a potter last series and has bags of experience as a studio technician and a very special way with clay. Keep an eye out for the new Series 8 heading your way.
Sculpting a Dog Bust in Clay
Workshop tutor: Lynn Wooldridge
This workshop was thoroughly enjoyed by all participants as you can see from the photos. A lot of headway was made by the potters towards creating a dog bust and a lot of lessons learnt in how to go about it for future creations. We look forward to seeing these wonderful creations come through the firing and glazing processes soon.
Thank you to Lynn for conducting such an enjoyable workshop.
More than Beginners
Wheel Workshop
Want to learn to throw with larger amounts of clay?
Then check out the wheel workshop on Sunday 17 November
Sign up using the link to HelloClub below:
When
Sunday 17 November 09:30 – 15:30
Where
Shorncliffe Pottery Club Inc
Nerikomi Demonstration with Narumi Ii
Ceramic Arts Queensland are pleased to announce Narumi Ii will be giving a demonstration workshop on Nerikomi techniques:
24 November 2024. from 9:00 to 12:00
BVAC WELLER'S HILL ART HUB
140 Weller Road, Tarragindi
$30.00
Numbers are strictly limited. Please only book if you are able to attend. If your circumstances change after booking please let us know so that the place can be given to someone else. No refunds will be given.
About Narumi Ii
Narumi Ii is a ceramic maker based in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. She was won numerous prizes for her nerikomi ceramic work and was featured in the book Nerikomi: The Art of Coloured Clay by Thomas Hoadley. For further information about Narumi’s work visit her website.
Sandgate Creative Trail
We proudly opened our doors to show the wonder of pottery to loads of interested people.
During the weekends of the 19th/20th and 26th/27th October the studio was open for studio tours which included our exhibition space featuring members works for sale. We also offered four workshops, covering wheel work and hand building which were enjoyed by the many visitors to the studio. Thank you to the workshop tutors and to the many volunteers who
assisted on the days.
Another appreciative pottery fan.
The first weekend of the Open Studio was such a success with selling our wonderful pottery that we had to quickly restock, so that visitors during the second weekend had pottery to purchase.
We have popped all of the published tips, hacks and techniques onto the ‘Tips’ page on our club website so that you can refer to them easily.
Sealing Your Pot
There are a few ways to seal your pot so that it holds water depending upon what clay you have used and what temperature you fire it to. If it is only earthenware fired, then you will either need to cover it in a clear or solid glaze on either the interior or the exterior. Or if you don’t want to glaze it then you will need to either wax the interior or visit a hardware store and purchase a sealant. These come in brush on or spray - a good one is Chrommelin Sealer.
If you have mid-fired or stoneware fired you won’t have to seal unless the clay you used is above 2% porosity, or it is simply for aesthetic purposes. To test your clay for porosity [or absorption rate as it is known] follow the simple process in the YouTube video below.
courtesy blue nose studio
Our Committee
President: Suzanne Bell
Vice President: Rose Kelly
Treasurer: David Grugeon
Secretary: Amy Stevens
Committee Members:
Barbara Fletcher, Clare Houston, Melina Wales
Newsletter Editor: Ed Trost
edtrost1961@gmail.com
email: shorncliffepotteryclubinc@gmail.com
follow us on
website + instagram + facebook
…Until next month…
HAPPY POTTING!
