Kia ora clay fam!
It’s been a chill week here and we don’t have too many notices for you this week. We’re looking forward to the Phoenix Firing on the weekend though – Suzy and the team will be loading on Saturday and firing on Sunday. If you’re interested in wood firing in the future, this is a good chance to mosey by the kiln and see what’s involved in this type of event 😊
Meet the Crew Monday… on a Thursday
This week we’re introducing one of our treasured PWC volunteers Teresa Gibbison.
Teresa’s “lovely friend Jane” introduced her to pottery in her home studio during a stay with her in Kerikeri during Easter in 2019. She’s forever grateful to Jane for being her “clay enabler.” Of the many hobbies she’s had over the years she finds pottery the most enjoyable and the one she’s stuck to the longest.
At the time she loved the feeling of moulding the clay and the connection to nature. She also loves the mindfulness of centering and throwing pieces on the wheel not to mention the release of any work stress during a good slam wedging session!
Mugs and bowls on the wheel are her favourite things to make as well as pulling handles to fit different mugs. She also enjoys customising yarn bowls. Saturday PWC regulars will know sgraffito hearts keep her busy while on duty so her hands are relatively clean for the till. Currently Teresa is experimenting with a black stoneware clay body and will soon be trying out various colour combinations with her Abbots Glaze collection. “The stoneware was a big change from the porcelain I've been throwing with for some time, nothing like an exfoliation session for the hands on the wheel.”
Teresa joined WSP in 2019, participating in a few classes and putting her organisation skills to use as a committee member in 2022 & 2023. She still helps out with our Throwdown events and Open Days when needed.
Unsurprisingly Teresa says “the best thing about spending time at WSP is of course the people and the wonderful sharing of knowledge and ideas that happens every time you're in the studio. I've made some great friends over the years and enjoy volunteering for Saturday PWC sessions to connect and to give our full-time working members a chance to create at a time that works for them. It's also fantastic to see members of the public rock up to give clay a go and the thrill on their faces with a finished piece they've made.”
Outside of pottery Teresa works full time. She and her husband have a lifestyle block with sheep, lambs, chickens and cattle. Any free time she manages to find is spent relaxing and spending time with family and her mischievous kitten Luci (Lunitic) Lucifer.
When you see Teresa give her a big smile and a thanks for giving up her Saturday mornings for us and everything else she does. Bravo!
Kiln For Sale
Peter Black has a Shimpo DUB 7 electric kiln for sale:
The elements have all been replaced recently but the top 2 don’t work well and I can’t get the kiln to fire to glaze. It does, however reach 1000 degrees C and so would be fine for bisque ware. It would probably need to be checked over by a sparky to make sure it’s OK. I have had no issues with it reaching Cone 6 before. Perhaps with some TLC, someone could get it to work properly. Kiln furniture is not included, but the controller is negotiable.
If you’re interested, please get in touch with Peter directly via email: peterblack0909@gmail.com
Reminders
Term 4B Classes
Our last two class offerings for 2024 are starting soon – take a look and sign-up below.
Intro to Pottery
4-weeks, Fridays, 6pm – 9pm, starting 15th November
More info here.
Wheel-Throwing Taster Class
4-weeks, Sundays, 10am – 1pm, starting 24th November
More info here.
End of Year deadlines
These are our closing, firing and kiln booking deadlines for the end of the year, please keep these in mind as you plan your making.
17 November – Last day for private kiln bookings
2 December – Last day for pre-holiday bisque firing drop offs
You will still be welcome to leave work for bisque firing after this date, and we will do our level best to process it, but we can’t guarantee that it will make it through before we close for the holidays.
9 December – Last day for pre-holiday glaze firing drop offs
As above, you are still welcome to leave work for glaze firing after this date but we can’t guarantee that it will make it through before we close for the holidays.
10 December – Last Tuesday evening Play with Clay
17 December, 5.30pm – Christmas Party!
19 December – Last open studio for the year
20 December – End of year Working Bee and closing day
The studio won’t be in a state for any potting to take place, but you are still able to pop in and pick up your pieces. In fact, this will be your last chance to do so before we re-open on the 13th of January.
Studio Schedule
Here’s how the studio is looking next week but, as always, remember to check the online calendar before you come in.
Friday 8th of November
9.30am – 4pm, Members’ Open Studio
6pm – 9pm, Class, Intro to Pottery
Saturday 9th November
10am – 1pm, Play with Clay – Thanks Tim and Amy!
All day, Phoenix kiln loading day
Sunday 10th November
10am – 1pm, Class, Wheel Throwing
All day, Phoenix kiln firing day
Monday 11th November
9.30am – 12.30pm, Class, Wheel Throwing
1pm – 4pm, Members’ Open Studio
6pm – 9pm, Class, Hand Building
Tuesday 12th of November
9.30am – 4pm, Members’ Open Studio
6pm – 9pm, Play with Clay – thanks Margaret and Alicia!
Wednesday 13th of November
9.30am – 12.30pm, Play with Clay – Thanks Larissa, Mark and Yasmin!
1pm – 4pm, Members’ Open Studio
4 – 5.30pm, Kids’ Play with Clay
6pm – 9pm, Class, Wheel Throwing
Thursday 14th of November
9.30am – 12.30pm, Class, Sculpture Skills
1pm – 4pm, Members’ Open Studio
6pm – 9pm, Class, Wheel Throwing
Friday 15th November
9.30am – 4pm, Members’ Open Studio
6pm – 9pm, Class, Intro to Pottery
Saturday 16th of November
10am – 1pm, Play with Clay – Thanks Teresa and team!
All day – Phoenix unloading day
Sunday 17th of November
10am – 1pm, Class, Wheel Throwing
