September 2018 Meeting at Wild Ginger Studio and Pottery

We had a great meeting at Wild Ginger Studio and Pottery in September 2018.  Sandy Woolley owner/operator of the studio kindly provided the space and led the demonstration.  Sandy showed how to create your own stains for adding to textured slabs.  She provided a recipe and provided tips and tricks to achieve the best results.

Sandy's Demo

Surface texture with stains

*using washes/stains to texture slabs, they don't stick to kiln shelf

*make buttons from scrap clay and then with the cord (fishing line) can use as a cut off      tool (made with 10 lb test)

*Use homemade mason wash (mason stain, flux, and water). The recipe is as follows: 1pt mason stain to 1 pt flux (gerstley borate or frit 3134) and 1 pt water, if going to cone 6.  If firing to cone 10 (gerstley borate or frit 3195) and 3 pts water is needed

There are 2 ways to proceed: 

1. take a slab and maybe begin with the light colors as the background and the darker colors dry brushed after the lighter colors
2. Be sure to have a plan for what you are going to make.  Using the least amount as possible on brush and using a fan brush, paint the slab. Then, using the texture mat on top of the stain. This then will cause the texture to be actually white or of less color as they are spread out more.  Moving in the same direction, basically dry brush the color on.  On the second slab, textured first and then paint on the stain.  
3. Finally, use the press-n-go system to get a bowl or plate

Atlantic Pottery Supply, Inc will be offering monthly educational opportunities.  The first one is on October 20, 2018 from 11a-1p.  Looks like a great opportunity and we all love FREE events to mingle and learn!

Empty Bowls Duval County November 2, 2018

Clay Network will be participating in the Empty Bowls of Duval County in participation with Feeding NE Florida.  The event will be held on Friday, November 2, 2018 from 11:30-1pm at the Jacksonville Public Library-Main Branch.  Members will be creating unique, one of a kind bowls to donate to the cause.  These items will be available for purchase at the event.  Student bowls will be offered to the participants with their ticket purchase.
Stay tuned for more information and photos of the items that we will be donating!