Piccies and stories from recent events

The day began with the ceremonial adorning of our judge, Janet Smith, who was lavished with a diamanté tiara and necklace. This set the tone for a day of laughs, crazy clay creations and fabulous food. Challenges were accepted by all the members attending and all final decisions were made by Janet, who was overheard saying, “I have never had so much power”. With that she handed out meritorious medals, superbly made by Larissa, to the winners.

Untimed challenges

The tiniest teapot or in the case of the winner, miniscule teapot was won by Tim, followed by Yasmin’s beautifully shaped pot and Libby’s Alladin creation. All teapots not only needed a body, lid, spout and handle but were tested for pourability. In the transformation challenge, no clay was left behind as contestants transformed a pre-thrown leather-hard cylinder and bowl, into unrecognisable things. Alex our youngest contestant won with his narrative about mischievous cats, followed by Caroline and Tim. Clay bouquets included more than just flowers, but skulls and seahorses too; Libby first, Helen second and Sue third. The tallest free-standing creation (Craig) was won by Yasmin at 47cms, then a tie for second place, at 44cms by Alison and Margret with Caroline’s at 37cms. Some ideas created for the scariest thing challenge included, pointed knife-like teeth (David third), a skull with worms and a dislocated eyeball (Aaron first). But what scared me as a functional potter, was the mug with the razor-sharp lip and corresponding handle (Teresa second).

Timed challenges

Teamwork was important in this set of challenges. One person throwing the inside of the pot with their partner throwing the outside to produce a pot by two people that showed synchronicity between the two throwers. Libby and Caroline combined their talents to win.  Helen and Hudson pulled together as a whanau to win the longest pulled handle event. Our judge, Janet, couldn’t resist and got amongst this one herself pulling a beautiful lengthy handle. Chaos ruled as each member of a team of 7, took 2 minutes to build a clay piece of any kind by hand building and/or throwing the components to add to the team’s creation. Team 2 won with Tim, Alicia, Chantal, Jen, Amy, Caitlin and Aaron. Choccies all round for the team challenges. 

Blindfolded challenges

Blindfold on and feel the clay as it moves between your fingers. Clay being a sensual medium responds as you manipulate it. The winning manipulators for the hand building challenge were Margaret first with her tuatara, second, Aaron’s mask and Jen’s mug with curled handle came third. David produced the closest to the example for the blind throwing challenge, Chantel was second with two matching bowls and Lydia third.

Appreciation

A huge thank you to the following people: Janet as judge, Josephine the organiser, Libby and Larissa for the meritorious medals, Caroline as MC, Teresa as recorder whose notes have been invaluable in writing this review, Tim results recorder, Lydia and Amy as timers, David photographer and Tess as marshal/review-writer. To all our members who attended, thank you for congenial participation and good sportspersonship, not to mention the great kai.

See you at the next one!