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Dear All, we hope your winter hasn't been too arduous so far; the cold water in the bucket doesn't help though.

Glaze making journey with found materials with Andrew Carran

First we started with a very busy clubnight which was very informative with lots of glaze samples, soil maps of the greater Christchurch region and lots and lots of information, so much to take in.
 Six of us and Andrew got together to work on our own glaze projects. We had soils, sands, loess and clays from the harbours to Gore Bay and all the way to the Craigieburn Ranges. We started with preparing our particular base material by breaking it up and siveing it into very fine particles. 
Lunch was a wee outing to a lookout overlooking the Canterbury plains. Andrew shared stories about the old brick works in town, where the raw materials came from and clay works in a number of different locations in the distant foothills of the Southern Alps; a highlight of day one. 
Then it got pretty messy, with measuring, mixing, adjusting our glazes and glazing many test tiles. We are now in the process of firing our glazes to Cone 5/6, Cone 7/8 and Cone 9 before we potentially adjust them some more to desired outcomes. Can't wait to see all out test tiles. Photographs of the work, so far, are attached. We'll have the test tiles and other work some time in the near future.

Wood firing with Mt Pleasant and Halswell potters group on Sat 27 July
Schedule leading up to the Saturday July 27
Make pots now.
 Wood firing with Halswell pottery group on July Saturday 27 at 8am
Mt pleasant group bisque firing, leave work in our rooms in the wood firing box to be bisque for Saturday 13 July.
Your work will be in the rooms for glazing, 2 glazes will be available a celadon and a shino glaze.  
 Deliver to Halswell on Friday 26th at 10am for loading the kiln (or someone to do it for you).
Halswell potters bisque firing to be organised 
Firing the kiln will be on Saturday 27th 8am start; all pots in the kiln will require a 2 to 3 hours of firing time from the pot owners.
The firing cycle could be up to 10hrs so be prepared to do the time please, bring along a shared lunch if you are on the lunch time duty. Tea & Coffee supplied.
Firing times: please let Shona know claytech1@gmail.com or fill in the time you would like to play with smoke, dust and fire. The schedule will be on the notice board in the club rooms,
Friday 10am: sorting the shelves and props, kiln washing then sorting into sizes and loading the kiln. This will take a while; 3 to 4 hours depending on the work sizes.
Firing schedule for Saturday:
8am to 10am           10am to 1pm        1pm to 3pm          3pm to Finish This last time is important as we want to soak as long as we can holding the temperature to get heat work done, settling the ash on the glazes, etc.

Four people on the fire boxes, two people collecting the wood for them means a total of six people on each shift. You can stay as long as you like; all day if you want. This is a fun learning day all pyromaniacs together. 

This firing is open to all members of Mt Pleasant and Halswell potters groups.
Any questions please email Shona claytech1@gmail.com or ring 0226797729 

​Classes
In an attempt to provide a sense of progression for our students, we are changing the nature of some classes to achieve this aim. Alex's Wednesday night class in terms one and three will be 'Beginners Handwork' classes and terms two and four will  be 'Beginners Wheel' classes. All the other classes will be mixed ability classes. Our real aim is to have all our students progress to attending Tuesday club days where you'll meet other club members and spread your pottery wings. All classes are full for term three.
Alex is running Slip and Glaze courses on Saturdays, 3rd and 10th of August. Prices yet to be determined.
Renate also runs advanced throwing classes on the last weekend of the month; three hours on a Friday and again on Saturday. This program is run as two five session semesters, February to November.
Exhibition 2019
Calling on all potters, new and old, to start your exhibition project early.

• Make what you are good at; exhibiting is not the time to experiment.
• Pick only your very best pots and if you're making a set, make sure they belong in a set.
• Then submit to our exhibition later in the year (deadline Fri 11 Oct)
• This is always a good focus to be working towards and a great time to share.

If unsure contact the convener (Renate) on 0211336620


Kiln operation
The last few weeks have been a bit of a shambles; huge disappointment in the operation of the kilns and subsequent adjustments and slippage of the firing schedule. Unfortunately kiln 1, having just been repaired, has had a meltdown and will be out of action for a little while. This makes the following more important:

Kiln scheduling, for club members, will now become the responsibility of Shona and Hilary. What this means is: that if you require some work to be fired, it must be put into a box, labelled with your name, firing type and the date (your phone number might also help in case there is a need to contact you). All the items in the box must have your mark on them. If any of these parameters are not met, the items will not be fired. If anyone has any issues with what is being asked please get in touch with Shona, Hilary or me. 
Drying shelves
These are a wonderful asset and put up at some effort to provide us with a facility for drying our pots. They are not a storage facility. Items for bisque firing should not be there any longer than a week; then they go into your box, labelled and ready for firing. Items that have been glazed, ideally, shouldn’t be on the shelves at all. Think about it, get the glaze on and get them into the box with their label ready for Shona and Hilary to get them fired. So, if you have any wares on the shelves that need firing, do the decent thing and get them done.

Collecting your fired items
Bring some cash with you! We can’t do EFTPOS and you know you have to pay for the firing of your pots. Prices are on the notice board.

This has been a bit-of-a-rant, but none of this is new. These rules have been in place for longer than we’ve been at Phillipstown and your pots are your responsibility.

We'll send out a notice when No1 kiln is back on line and we also intend to put another controller onto kiln No2; this will give some more flexibility regarding firing programs.

Your Committee
We are delighted to advise that we have two new members on our committee; Hilary Cowburn who will be assisting with the supervision of the firing of the kilns and Jackie Negus who will take over the writing of this publication. We welcome them aboard and their input into the successful running of our club.

CLUB DAYS & CLUB NIGHTS


Club Days are on Tuesdays, 10am to 3.30pm and 7 to 9pm.
Club Demonstration Nights are on the second Tuesday of every month. 
We are hosting guest speakers and demonstrators who will be sharing their knowledge and expertise on a wide range of topics relating to pottery and ceramics.
 A $5 donation please.
To get most out of our Demonstration Club Nights please get in contact and let me know which topics you would like to know more about. I will try and make it happen! 
Renate 021-1336620, rgaletzka@gmail.com


Saturday Club Day, 1st Saturday of the month, 10.00am till noon 


Saturday Raku Club Day with Leigh-Ann…


July


Tuesday, 9th, 7pm
Club Night: Printing on Clay demonstration evening with Shona Clarkson
Printing on clay, a special way of making a small personal screen to print on your work.
A sat workshop will be available to make your own small screen. As we need to order materials for each person attending the Saturday workshop will be later in the month. On club night date and workshop details will be advised to those who would like to attend.
 
One day workshop 
Make your own screen for printing on clay
Price to be advised


August


Saturday, 3rd and 10th
9am to 12noon on each day
Glaze and Slip making with Alex
Learn the basics of glaze and slip making  and a variety of application techniqhes
Price to be advised


Tuesday, 13th
Club Night: Everything Glaze Materials
Bring all your unanswered questions relating to glaze making. Our very own expert, Ken, will have an answer for everything! Like: What’s Silica?.. Why did that glaze run?.. Why is that glaze stuck to the bottom and what can I do? What makes my glaze blue or white or red or..? 


September


Tuesday, 10th
Club Night: Topic to be announced … Make a suggestion, txt Renate on 0211336620


Possibly Weekend workshop with Yi-Ming Lin – Sculpture. Please txt Renate on 0211336620 to gauge interest


October


No Club Night 


Saturday, 12th
Annual Exhibition Submission and Selection Day, 10am


Friday/Saturday, 18 – 19 Exhibition 
At Mt Pleasant Community Centre Hall
All hands on deck, please volunteer for all the jobs large and small that will help make our exhibition a success 


November


Tuesday, 12th
AGM and world famous auction 


End of Year Party
Day outing to Birdlings Flat with Action Firing (pit firing) and picnic at the beach. Bring family and partners, this will be fun fun fun!
Date to be announced closer to the time, with consideration to tides. If total fire ban should be in place event will be postponed to autumn 2020.
Watch this space. (This has got to be a fantastic opportunity for something really different - Graham)


Whew, I'm fairly sure that we've covered all the important subjects for this month. Matariki at the Hub on Saturday the 19th June for a hangi, you'll need to contact Viviana for a ticket, 03 379 3256.


Happy potting - Graham
On behalf of your committee.

Dear All, Happy Easter, Happy holidays,
 We hope everyone had a good / fabulous first term of the year and have raised the bar for term two or the next stage in your pottery life. There is an extra class on the list now; Wednesday night with Alex as our tutor. Our Monday and Thursday classes are full with good attendance booked for Wednesday day and night. Our Tuesday club days are also well attended; wonderful chatter going on along with the occasional tip on a process, glaze or technique.

 WIFI 
in our room: this has been requested by our tutors, so pending final sign off for the funds we will have WIFI soon. It will be ideal for viewing You Tube films of potters showing their wonderful skills.

 Kilns and Firings
The controller for kiln No3 is on its way home from being repaired; it will be in place this coming week. If anyone has key to the kiln shed (that they're not supposed to have) would you please hang it back on the hook in the club room? Kiln shed keys should only be away from their hook for a couple of days at most. If you're in control of a firing you must come back to the kiln shed the following day to confirm the cycle has finished and then switch off the kiln. You'll need to hang on to the key for that period to get back into the shed to carry out the switch off routine; hang it back on the hook asap afterwards.

 Club exhibition
this is being planned for October, 2019. Full details coming soon. 
At our June club night Renate will discuss what we need to consider when producing and submitting works to our, or to any exhibition, so start putting your ideas together.

 Club Night in May
Glazes—starting at ground level, with Andrew Carran
A Tuesday Club night preliminary
In this session Andrew will outline two Sunday afternoon sessions (26 May, 2 June) in which we will make glazes from local materials and  fire them. The evening session will give information on where to find materials and prepare them as well as covering some glaze history and local geology and should be of general interest  to all - not just glaze makers.
There will be soil maps and samples to look at as well as pots with local glazes and  a discussion about how the glazes, we can make here, relate to classical Chinese glazes.
This is an exciting opportunity for anyone interested in how glazes are made, from the ground up, to be with Andrew Carran as he goes through the whole process. Not to be missed, no matter what level
Andrew would like a rough idea of how many people would approximately be attending the evening. If you are possibly thinking of coming along, please give Renate a quick txt (0211336620)
 
Good potting, everyone – Graham and the committee
​

Some of the 35 plates decorated by some of our local children.

Hi potters, we have had a request from some members to do some glaze days.
For those who are starting on their own glazing programme and not sure what to do, where to go,🤔 we might be able to help.

We would like responses from you if you would like to take part in  making  your own glazes. There would be two Saturdays: October the 6 and 20,  10am to 12pm. Sorry this is short notice but if you get cranked up there is plenty of time; you can have your materials here in three days.

Requirements from you would be:
You buy your own materials, the glaze recipe is supplied below, materials may be bought from: BotPots, Nelson Pottery Supplies, Wellington potters, etc.  Google pottery supplies and many suppliers  will pop up. With these ingredients you will make up 4 glazes, half a bucket of each,  with enough material left over to make up a small supply of coloured over-glazes.

Ingredients to buy, for a clear or white or colored glaze firing to cone 6 to 8+.
Kaolin (china clay)    2 kg
Silica.                        2 kg
Wollastonite              2 kg 
Frit 4108                    2 kg
Potash feldspar        2 kg
If these come in 2.5 kg packs that is ok as this might be a standard size; this is your base ingredients for a glaze.

You may add these ingredients to make up a blue, green, white, or variegated glaze. If you have some strange colorants bring them along and we will discuss them.

Zirconium  500 gm
Cobalt carbonate  50gm
Copper carbonate  50gm
Rutile  50gm
Iron oxide 500gm
If you like you might like to buy any coloured stains like yellow, red, orange etc for your small over glazes.

Containers and other stuff needed:
Four 10 litre buckets with lids
Kitchen scales 
Paper mask
Note book (glaze book).
Glass jars with lids at least 8
Felt tip pen
Apron & towel
If you have a glaze sieve bring that.

Enrolments: please email to mtpleasantpottery@gmail.com
The cost  for two Saturdays $20.00, you can bring it on the first day but please book in to secure your place.

CLUB NIGHT 
Tuesday, October 9th, will be glazing with Renate, splash, pour and dip.  Ken will be demonstrating how to spray glazes on your work. Time:    7pm. This will be interesting to those who are planning their own glaze programme.

Our September 11th soup and bowl exchange was very interesting. It was a fun night; the  soups were excellent (recipes to come), the pizza oven got very hot, we tested it 500deg C, a bit too hot for bread, so we left it to cool???, Graham put his loaves at the front of the oven to raise  with a tea towel on it, 10 minutes later the bread had that very dark brown look with  no tea towel just the remaining fluff on the bread. We did bake a great pear cake which had a delightfully crispy base with a  nice taste. A good pizza oven but like all potters that are pyromaniacs  we are not patient 😄.

hub garage sale 6 october 10 to 12pm bring along your stuff if you would like to take part email 
 Viviana@phillipstown.org.nz  to book a space.

Raku day with Leigh-Anne October 6th contact her if interested  leigh_ann.obrien@gib.org.nz

Allan has interesting news about white clay; details to come.

We have nearly completed the re-arrangement of our pottery room. When all the class work has been fired and the shelves are empty, we will increase the shelf space.

The books and magazines in the "library" are for reference only; they are not to be taken from the room. If you want some details, photograph the pages and print them out at home.

We had a little drama with our temperature controllers on the kilns; all is now in order and there should be no delays getting work fired. Those members not in a class, make sure you use the book to reserve a kiln (and follow the instructions, please).

Happy potting, Your Committee

Hi potters, 
We had a great saturday Raku last week with Leigh-Anne as our leader; we will be having another one soon (probably the 10th Aug) so keep a look out for this information.  Saturday 4th, first of the month club morning with Anne,come and pot in the rooms.

August demonstration sprig club night is cancelled but those of us who had pots in the wood firing at Halswell will be bringing their pots to show and discuss; all welcome for a catch-up. So, not the usual club night but you might have some ideas for bowl making for our September 11th 'swap a bowl' night and fill it with Delicious soup and bread all made by our pottery 🍜chef's . I think we have at least three bread bakers, but the more the merrier!
 
Some of the members took part in a wood firing at Halswell potters group this week end, Saturday, all day, it’s great fun with lots of smoke and flames and general excitement. Some  photo's below; come and see the results of the firing on Tuesday 14th club night.

Bisque pots on the shelf: there are a few of the members bisqued pots on the shelf by the windows. These are the first names or marks of the works: Nic, EB,Chris, Sam, mm, wa, LL. We would appreciate that they be paid for and taken away asap as our new term has started and we need the space. If they are still there in a week we will dispose of them. It is a good idea to keep and eye on your work as you have put in the hard work not for them to be disposed of.

The usual club days and nights; continue please support these nights as you can always learn from someone else who might have a good idea or a great way of throwing.
Cheers, your Committee

​Sunday 24 June celebrating Matariki  at the Hub 11am to 2pm there will be stone carving, a Hangi, face painting and a bouncy castle for the younger children , we will have tiles for the public to  carve come and see what goes on when we are not potting.

Engobe workshop, 7th July, 10.00am to 4.00pm
There was plenty of interest expressed when Renate did her demonstration night on engobes and to give participants the best opportunity to learn as much as possible from Renate, there will be a limited number of positions available. Therefore, we recommend pre-booking your place; details are on the website  http://www.mtpleasantpottery.org.nz Use ‘engobe’ as your reference,  please.

Wood firing, 28th July, at Halswell Pottery rooms
Shona is making a shino and celadon glaze for this firing and will be testing the glazes in their woodfiring at the end of May. A joint  Halswell club woodfiring firing. For those interested in participating in this firing method, please register your interest on the web site use "wood firing" as your reference, bring your bisque ware (no bowls or plates) to the rooms on Tuesday 10th July for glazing. Members participating should be prepared to spend some time, on the day, assisting with firing and wood (fuel) preparation. Kick off to be confirmed.

Saturday club day, 1st Saturday of the month,June 2nd  10.00am till noon starting Saturday 2 June
For those of you who are gainfully employed outside the home, Anne Goddard is intending to have a club day on the first Saturday of the month. Anyone wishing to join her is welcome anne.goddard@yaho.fr. She will put a notice on our Facebook page. Also, Leigh-Ann Smith is intending to start a Raku group that would meet and carry out their firings on this day, too. Leigh-Ann is interested in exploring the wide range of raku glazes and would like others who are interested to join her leigh-ann.obrien@gib.co.nz 

Check out the Club Programme in Club News Page and Diary Page for details on up coming events: we’re planning a soup night in September, 11th; we have booked the pizza oven to bake some bread to accompany the soup. the Hub pizza oven is booked for for our Christmas function on December 11th.

​Hi potters, just an update of where the club is this month.

Our  web site is up and running at last, please check us out. We will have all our information there; what is planned for the rest of the term and who is teaching. This will become our main contact; we also use our Facebook page (don't forget to 'like' us!). Quite an achievement for us with a small working committee. The constitution has been re-written; this will be checked out soon and we will call a special general meeting to pass these amendments. Contact mtpleasantpottery@gmail.com for a copy.  I hope you will support us by being at the meeting as a quorum of 16 is required. The date is yet to be confirmed.

Club night: (Second Tuesday of April), 10th April at 7pm
Eve Hope will discus her experiences working in Italy at a majolica studio/factory. Eve will give us an idea how the pieces were made and will have some samples of their work. It will be interesting to hear what working in a controlled workshop is really like.

Hub interest day is Friday 23rd March; come and see what is going on at the hub. The potters have made tiles for the pizza oven surround; these will be fixed to the base soon. They have been made by some of the groups in the hub and we have just made another seven to complete the surround. 

The raku area is under construction in front of the rooms. This will be a small safe area for raku firing. The burner is fixed, so we just need to pick a saturday in April for firing? Anyone interested contact us mtpleasantpottery@gmail.com
 
Wood firing: we can share the wood kiln at Halswell for a combined firing for anyone interested in June/July. A little work will be involve stacking and chopping of wood, also a roster of morning & afternoon stoking. Perhaps a Tuesday night discussion on what is expected in a wood firing, some time in May would be good. Everyone who is interested please contact us at mtpleasantpottery@gmail.com 

Subs are due; if you have received a friendly reminder to pay, please pay; if not and you haven’t paid, please pay and advise and also, if not, many thanks to those who have responded. It makes the running of the group a lot easier (it’s about cash-flow).

Kiln firings are hotting up (boom boom); if you would like your work fired, contact us and we will arrange a time that is suitable for you and to help you load the kiln. The last two weeks before classes finish, the kilns are booked for students only. The dates are Monday 2nd to Friday 13th April. Prepare your work before or after these dates, please.

I (Shona) spent a very pleasant two hours, two weeks ago, at Canterbury potters learning to  repair broken pottery by Kintsugi (meaning connecting things). One of my earlier works, a toilet roll cylinder, broke and it had been sitting for a while (five yrs), this opportunity came up and now I have a gold masterpiece!

Welcome to our new students and members, we hope you enjoy our group. Any questions: please email us and we will endeavour to answer them. 

Cheers - Your Committee

Classes will be starting with two new tutors, Monday pm 12th Feb. with Allan Mauger, Wednesday 14th, pm with Michael Michaels, both experienced potters. Wednesday 14th, am with Shona Clarkson, classes are filling up if you have booked and not paid please contact Shona as you will be now on the waiting list for next term. Welcome to all our new class members.

Subs are now due $45 please pay direct banking Mt Pleasant Pottery Westpac, 03 1591 0083454 00 please write your name as reference. Brochure included for ease of renewing subs. email return to mt pleasant pottery group.

We had a great cleanup day on January 27th, we cleaned the garden outside ready to put down gravel to make it a permanent raku area, and inside all nice and tidy for the year thank you to the 10 who attended we appreciate your cleaning skills.
​

Web site will be up and running very soon, we would like our members to bring along one or two pieces of their work on Tuesday 13 club day for photographing; this will be on our website gallery showing our work to the public. Size of the work.name and any other information would be helpful. It doesn’t have to be an exhibition piece, one that you like and are proud of. If Tuesday is not suitable we will make a Saturday available. This will be on going for a month or two until we have a picture gallery on show.

Club night’s demonstrations for this term starting with Andrew Carron on Tuesday 13 at 7pm 
"Everything melts-- glaze materials in your own back yard"

First get together of the year with Question time on glaze materials, chemicals, glaze ingredients, etc with keen potter and retired soil scientist Andrew Curran. 

I believe Andrew has made glaze with soil from his veggie patch! Andrew will have lots to share and show. With his knowledge and analytical mind every glaze problem can be solved. This is a great opportunity for newbie’s and old hands alike. Bring your questions, samples, pen and paper.

$5 for club members and $10 for non members all welcome.

CLUB DAYS & CLUB NIGHTS
 
Club Days are on Tuesdays, 10am to 3.30pm and 7 to 9pm. Club day charges are $5 for a full day $2.50 half day. This keeps the electrical equipment running for your pleasure.

Club Demonstration Nights are on the second Tuesday of every month.
 
We are hosting guest speakers and demonstrators who will be sharing their knowledge and expertise on a wide range of topics relating to pottery and ceramics.

We would appreciate a $5 donation for the nights demonstration please.

To get most out of our Demonstration Club Nights please get in contact and let me know which topics you would like to know more about. I will try and make it happen!
Renate 021-1336620, rgaletzka@gmail.com

Weekend Schools
Due to interest we will be reintroducing a number of weekend or one day workshops throughout the year. Please let me know what your interests are and I’ll make that happen too 😊

Programme
 
2018
 
February
Tuesday 13th, 7pm
Feldspar, Lead, Cobalt Oxide… What?
First get together of the year with Question Time on Glaze materials, chemicals, glaze ingrediences etc with keen potter and retired soil scientist Andrew Curran
Bring your questions, samples, pen and paper
 
March
Tuesday 13th, 7pm
Majolica Decoration with Eve Hope
Eve worked in a Majolica decorating pottery in Italy, how cool is that! Eve will talk to us on how they applied the majolica glaze and decorated their ware.
 
April
Weekend/one day workshop
Slip/Engobe workshop
Making use and application of colour slips
 
May
Tuesday 8th, 7pm
Special Group Meeting to authorise changes to our constitution.

June
Tuesday 8th, 7.00pm

July
Saturday 7th, 10.00am
Engobe workshop with Renate, $50.00. More details in Club News.

Tuesday 10th, 7.00pm

Saturday 28th, Halswell Club for a wood firing.

August
Tuesday14th, 7.00pm
Nikki to demonstrate stamp and sprig making.

September
Tuesday 11th, 7.00pm

October
Tuesday 9th, 7.00pm

Saturday workshop to demonstrate the best/correct use of our glaze spraying equipment and booth. (date to be confirmed)

November
Tuesday 13th, 7.00pm AGM
 
Phillipstown hub open day all welcome Friday 2nd March 10 to 2pm all welcome come and have a look and see what is going on there might be something for you the potters will be open.
 
Ben carter is coming this is a must on your potting calendar keep the dates booked May 11.12.13 a weekend workshop times, costs will be revealed soon, all welcome book in first  at CPA and secure your place canterburypotters@gmail.com  see poster below.

Committee for 2018
Chairman: Shona Clarkson - claytech1@gmail.com
Secretary:     ................
Treasurer: Ken Doidge - ken.doidge@gmail.com
Class coordinator & Membership: Shona Clarkson - mtpleasantpottery@gmail.com
Newsletter and web manager: Graham Maguire - gjmaguire@xtra.co.nz
House hold and maintenance: Lorraine (Rudi) Jansen - rblanjan@xtra.co.nz
Club day roster: Bill Bromley - bromleybill@hotmail.com
Minute secretary: Brenda Benge - brendabenge@outlook.com
Facebook manager:  Anne Goddard - anne.goddard@yahoo.fr
Leigh-Ann Smith leigh-ann.obrien@gib.co.nz
Allan Mauger alinos@outlook.co.nz

​