Stacy Morgan Workshop Wrap-Up

During the weekend of September 17-18, 2022, Clay Network held their annual workshop with a guest instructor. This year, Stacy Morgan, presented two one-day classes at the Atlantic Pottery Supply in Orange Park, Florida. Stacy resides in Huntsville, Alabama and is active in the local and regional pottery community. Not only does she produce functional ware, but she is known for her unique sea life sculptures that make an ordinary pot, vase or platter their home. Her specialty is the creation of every elusive, transcendent octopus.

On day one, we gathered and met with Stacy. She gave a brief introduction on her clay story while we downed coffee and munched on bagels. Stacy’s love for sculpting octopus has led her to not only research the animal extensively, but take advantage of opportunities where she could interact with them. Her passion is apparent in the fluidity and natural way her sculptures seem to move across a piece of pottery. We were all excited to learn her process.

She led us through a step by step process of building this interesting sea creature and at the end of the day we had a completed, octopus on a platter. 

Day two, we met again at Atlantic Pottery Supply for our hands-on lesson with slip trail making. After our messy beginning, we filled our sample bottles with slip and worked on the different techniques on our leather hard clay tiles. Stacy used the octopus platter to demonstrate how adding touches of slip can create texture and add interest. 

Clay Network thanks artist/potter/sculptor Stacy Morgan for her extensive knowledge, and friendship.

Upcoming September Two 1-day Workshops Featuring Stacy Morgan

 Clay Network welcomes Huntsville, Alabama potter, sculpture and maker of fine dinnerware and ceramic home decor, Stacy Morgan. 

Stacy opened her studio, S.P. Morgan Studio,in 2012 as a small studio pottery practice, operating from her home in Huntsville, Alabama. Her first studio was in a barn in the middle of 50 acres of rural farmland.

Since then, her studio has grown to offer more dinnerware, pottery, decorative items for the home and sculpture and she moved the studio to a public location at historic Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment, in Huntsville, Alabama. She is honored to be a part of the diverse community of artists there. She also offers  pottery classes and workshops, and enjoys traveling to other studios to teach as well. 

She is a proud to be a member of the Alabama Women's Caucus for Art, the Alabama Visual Arts Network, and Arts Huntsville.

On September 17, 2022 she will demonstrate how she makes her emblematic sea creatures, such as the octopus. On Sunday, September 18, join Stacy for a hands-on slip trailing class. Both workshops will be held at the Atlantic Pottery Supply in Orange Park. 

DAY ONE:

When: Saturday, September 17, 2022 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Light breakfast starts at 8:30 a.m.)

Where: Atlantic Pottery Supply, 1904 Debarry Ave., Orange Park FL

What: Stacy Morgan will demonstrate making life-like octopus sculptures.

DAY TWO:

When: Sunday, September 18, 2022 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Light breakfast starts at 8:30 a.m.)

Where: Atlantic Pottery Supply, 1904 Debarry Ave., Orange Park FL

What: Stacy Morgan will lead a class on slip trailing.

Cost: $200 for both classes, includes light breakfast and box lunch both days, and Clay Network one-year membership.

OR

Saturday Class $125 includes light breakfast and box lunch and Clay Network one-year membership.

Sunday Class $125 includes light breakfast and box lunch and Clay Network one-year membership.

Already a 2022 Clay Network member?

Cost: $175 for both classes, includes light breakfast and box lunch both days.

OR

Saturday Class $100 includes light breakfast and box lunch.

Sunday Class $100 includes light breakfast and box lunch.

Want to register? Email lauraburgessart@gmail.com for registration information. 

July 2022 Clay Network News

It's official, summer is here bringing in the heat, blue skies, beach days and for some of us a real big wish for an air conditioned studio!

Lots of catch-up here on my part, so let's get to it. 

We are growing! That's right, just when we thought the pandemic would end Clay Network, not only did we stay afloat, but our membership is growing. Thank you members, and don't forget, new potters are always welcome to our meeting and don't have to be a paid member (and its our job to get you excited about what we do so you do join!).

Our last meeting was held May 15th at the Atlantic Pottery Supply in Orange Park. Attendance was excellent and our guest demonstrator, Mark Lester, wowed the attendees with his double walled pots.

Our next meeting is scheduled for Sunday, July 17th 2 - 5 pm at our VP's house in Green Cove Springs. It's a pool and grill party, plus Angie will be demonstrating how she uses native clay. With the price of everything going up, it is a good idea to source our own clay! Please be sure to RSVP achindle100@gmail.com.

Registration is also open for our September 2-Day Workshops with artist Stacy Morgan. You can register for both days or just one day. Seats are limited. Contact Laura at jade@tidewatertileworks.com for more information or to get your registration form.

Springtime is Officially Here!

 Hello Potters!

Lots of catch-up to do on Clay Network! When the pandemic hit, the Clay Network, like so many other associations and groups, went on hiatus. In January, Clay Network held their first public meeting in two years! Fortunately, the fires were still burning and Clay Network is back! 

Our March meeting was held at the Jacksonville Pottery Studio, and was well attended. During this meeting, the group voted on a new board, and we are happy to announce our new board members:

Jill Kolb - President

Angie Hindle - Vice President

Mary Matheson - Treasurer ( she is staying until the end of the year, interested parties, please apply!)

Laura Burgess - Secretary

Kate Thomes - Past President ( she is staying on to help guide the new board)

                      (l-r: Mary Matheson, Kate Thomes, Laura Burgess, Angie Hindle, Jill Kolb)

Our upcoming meetings were announced, and a very exciting workshop was also introduced.

    May Meeting - May 15, 2 - 5 pm at the Atlantic Pottery Supply on 1904 Debarry Ave. in Orange Park. We'll have our meeting and potluck (don't forget to share a dish and bring your utensils) and a demo.

    July Meeting - the group also discussed whether or not to hold a July meeting and the vote was for a July Meeting - location and date/time TBD

    September Workshop - Clay Network will be hosting Stacy Morgan for a two-day workshop at the Atlantic Pottery Studio. Mark your calendars for Sept. 17-18. More information and pricing will be coming soon.

    November Meeting - TBA

After our potluck and great conversation, Cat Plesko of Jacksonville Pottery Studio demonstrated how to tackle a 25 lb. block of clay and make a large vessel. She made is look easy, but there is a trick to it, along with some strong arms.

    If you want to be a featured artist on our monthly newsletter, you must be a member. Still the best price in town at only $25/individual or $40/couple. Contact Mary Matheson for more information.

 Hello Potters!

We will have our first in person meeting for 2022 on Sunday, January 9, 2022 from 2p-4p at the home of Kate Thomes, VP and Acting President in St. Augustine.  Please check your email for details or message here and we will provide the address.  

This meeting will follow CDC Guidelines regarding COVID by requiring masking and social distancing.  However, the meeting will primarily be held outside in the fresh air. 

We will have our usual potluck and we encourage everyone to bring a dish to share.  Please bring your own utensils and a plate or bowl for personal use.

We will be discussing the future of Clay Network in these new and different times.  We are also planning to organize a hands-on workshop in the fall of 2022 and are seeking input from membership.  

Please consider attending!

Yours in Clay,

Cindy Ward

Secretary

Hello Potters!

Our virtual meeting in July was a moderate success, but was not really conducive to the needs of our group.  It was decided to cancel the meetings for the remainder of 2020, as well as the first half of 2021 due to the ongoing pandemic.

Our first in-person meeting for 2021 will be on our regularly scheduled date of Sunday, September 12, 2021 from 2p-5p at a location to be determined.  

Our meetings are free and open to the public.  They usually begin with a wonderful potluck, followed by the general meeting.  This is typically followed by a pottery demonstration or lecture as well as a fantastic free raffle for a pottery related item.  

Please stay tuned as things may very well change as the year progresses.  We will adjust accordingly.  

Lastly, we are still in need of a President for our organization, as well as a Secretary after 2021.  

Follow us on FaceBook and Instagram!

Hello Potters!

Tomorrow is our first Clay Network Virtual Meeting.  Please consider attending!

We have missed our gathering and look forward to catching up tomorrow and checking in on everyone.  We'd also like to discuss the future of Clay Network and receive member input on how we might navigate the next year or so during this pandemic.

Without YOU, the members...there is no Clay Network.

Click on the link below to be guided on access to the ZOOM software and the meeting itself.

We hope to see you there!

Yours in clay,
Cindy Ward

Topic: Clay Network 

Time: Jul 12, 2020 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://unf.zoom.us/j/3109267474?pwd=TGZZQmhhTE84UkpKbVpXSVNrWERzUT09

Meeting ID: 310 926 7474

Password: clayclay

One tap mobile

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***Clay Network Virtual General Meeting, July 12, 2020, 2pm***

Hello Potters!

Hope you all are well and surviving these unprecedented times of social distancing and self reliance. Luckily, as potters we have an awesome hobby that we can immerse ourselves in to be productive and create.  And all this handwashing....we potters have been washing our hands 25 times a day for the last 30 years!! 

The board convened last week and made the determination that due to the expanding COVIC-19 crisis, it would not be wise to meet in person for the next several months.  We've decided to use the ZOOM app for our next meeting. Please download the FREE app from the APP store (Apple) or GOOGLE PLAY (Samsung) and familiarize yourself with the features.  It's quite user friendly. We will send the meeting link out within the next day or so. Simply click on the link and follow the cues.  The meeting host will be set up and online at least one half hour before the meeting convenes, so please message us if you are having issues getting connected.

For this meeting, we plan to simply catch up, discuss what everyone has been working on, and collate ideas for future meetings moving forward during these uncertain times.  

A few items to consider: 

* The fall workshop has been canceled.  We have reached out to Don Davis and we will shoot for late winter or early spring 2021, depending on the pandemic situation. If you have paid a deposit, contact Mary Matheson for refund info. 

* In keeping with our mission to support our community, we'd like to contribute to one or more charitable organizations in NE Florida during this time of COVID and have considered an online auction of member's pottery with the proceeds donated to said charity (s).  Please propose a charity and let us know at the meeting.  In the meantime, get your items together!  Also, if you have web design experience, or ideas on how to pull this off, we'd love your input.

* We need a storage space for the Clay Network tent and supplies.  If you have an extra corner that we could use, please let us know.  

* The Clay Network Library is being liquidated with the proceeds deposited into the general fund. Donations will be accepted if there's a book that you'd like. 

Stand by for the ZOOM link in the next 24 hours.  This is a new direction for Clay Network and we encourage any and all suggestions.  We look forward to "seeing" you all at the meeting!!  The Agenda will be provided in that email as well.  

Yours in clay,

Cindy Ward

Clay Network Secretary

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the board convened and has decided to CANCEL our upcoming May 17th meeting.

We look forward to seeing everyone in July!

Stay well and be safe...



Best regards,

Clay Network

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the decision was made to postpone our upcoming Smudge Fire Workshop with Don Davis on April 25th and May 9th.

We plan to reschedule in the fall; likely September or October is all goes well.

If you'd like information on this workshop, please reach out at claynetwork2014@gmail.com for details.

Best regards,
Clay Network

Our last meeting on March 8, 2020 turned out to be a great one.  Jill Kolb, owner/operator of Pablo Island Pottery and Cindy Ward, owner/operator of karma klay pottery provided an overview of the John Britt Glaze Workshop that they attended in Dunedin, FL in February 2019.

They reviewed glaze mixing, testing, firing and reviewed a bit of glaze chemistry.

We had our regular potluck and general meeting as well.

We are gearing up for the upcoming workshop in April/May.

Here are a few photos:

Please join us for our first bi-monthly meeting of 2020 to be held on Sunday, January 12, 2020 from 2p-5p at Atlantic Pottery Supply in Atlantic Beach.

We are excited to have member and Treasurer Mary Matheson, owner/operator of MM Designs provide information on business management, including info on taxes and licensing.
Following Mary’s talk, we will have Jackie Hird present on the topic of how to sell online. She is a successful photographer and has a unique presence online. She is kind enough to share her tips and tricks for successful sales.

In addition to the hands on or lecture, our meetings consist of a potluck, "Meet and Eat" social session, and general meeting.

Our meetings are free and open to the public.

Find us on Instagram (@claynetworkflorida), email (claynetwork2014@gmail.com), and the web at www.claynetwork.com.

Please join us for our bi-monthly meeting to be held on Sunday, November 10, 2019 from 2p-5p at a member home in St. Augustine. Details will be provided upon request and by email.

We are excited to have member Nancy Jacobson, owner/operator of Spoonbill Pottery provide our demo for the meeting. Nancy has been working with surface embellishment and texturing using a product called a "gel press" or "gel printing plate" for use with underglaze, glaze, and slips. Click onto her Facebook page to see examples. We will have 3 or 4 to share and there will also be one for the FREE RAFFLE!! They can be purchased on Amazon. (See below for some examples of Nancy's work)

In addition to the hands on, our meetings usually consist of a potluck, "Meet and Eat" social session, and general meeting.

ALSO: We are having a holiday gift exchange at this meeting. Please bring a WRAPPED piece of your pottery valued at no more than $20. This will be so fun!

Our meetings are free and open to the public.

If you are interested in attending, message here and we will provide location information.


Find us on Instagram (@claynetworkflorida), email (claynetwork2014@gmail.com), and the web at www.claynetwork.com.

Clay Network Bi-Monthly General Meeting, Sunday, September 8, 2019 *2p-5p

***SAVE THE DATE***

Please join us for our bi-monthly meeting to be held on Sunday, September 8, 2019 from 2p-5p at the University of North Florida Ceramics Department in Jacksonville (Address: 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224, Building 45, Room #1504)

We are excited to have member Ray Gonzales, Owner/Operator of Atlantic Coast Kilns as our guest artist. Ray is an artist and educator whose scope of knowledge in the ceramic world is vast; ranging from production, glaze chemistry, kiln maintenance and every aspect in between. He will be providing an interactive talk on all things kilns loosely titled "Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About Kilns, But Were Afraid to Ask". Now is the time to bring all of your kiln questions you've been saving.

Our meeting will kick off with a gourmet potluck, "Meet and Eat" social session, followed by the general meeting, and then Ray's talk.

We also typically have a FREE raffle for a pottery related item, as well as our Lending Library that consists of a wide range of pottery related materials that can be "checked out" by our members.

Our meetings are free and open to the public.

(Find us on IG @claynetworkflorida, Facebook: @theclaynetwork, and www.claynetwork.com and email at claynetwork2014@gmail.com)

Clay Network Bi-Monthly General Meeting, Sunday, July 14, 2019, 2p-5p

Please join us for our bi-monthly meeting to be held on Sunday, July 14, 2019 from 2p-5p at Atlantic Beach Pottery Supply. We'd like to thank Paul Suter, new owner/operator of ABPS for opening his doors to our group!

Our meetings usually consist of a gourmet potluck, "Meet and Eat" social session, general meeting, and a demonstration.

We are excited to have member Becka B. Strong demonstrating her techniques for crafting ceramic succulent pots. She plans to lead our group through a "stump your friends" game where found objects will be used and shared to make stamps. We have heard that there will be prizes involved!!! We will also be making slab built mugs BLINDFOLDED!! You heard that right! There's definitely going to be lots of laughs for sure!

We also typically have a FREE raffle for a pottery related item, as well as our Lending Library that consists of a wide range of pottery related materials that can be "checked out" by our members.

Our meetings are free and open to the public.


Instagram: @claynetworkflorida
Email: claynetwork2014@gmail.com
Web: www.claynetwork.com

Clay Network Bi-Monthly General Meeting Sunday, May 5, 2019 from 2p-5p

Hello All,

Happy Spring!   Our next meeting is fast approaching.  The meeting will be held on the first Sunday of the month on May 5th at 2pm, rather that the usual second Sunday due to the conflict with Mother's Day.

Vice President Kate Thomes had kindly offered to host our meeting at her home in St. Augustine Shores.  Please contact us for address and details.

Treasurer and long-time member Mary Matheson will lead the hands-on demonstration with tile making and sgraffito techniques.  Sample tiles will be provided by Clay Network.  Please bring your favorite carving tools, an apron, and something to put you tile in for transport home. Thanks so much Mary for stepping in and being such a strong supporter of Clay Network.

Our meetings usually consist of a gourmet potluck, "Meet and Eat" social session, general meeting, and a demonstration.  

We also typically have a FREE raffle for a pottery related item, as well as our Lending Library that consists of a wide range of pottery related materials that can be "checked out" by our members.

Our meeting are free and open to the public, so consider inviting a friend and joining in the fun. 

Our last meeting in March was a great success and The Atlantic Beach Arts Market was a perfect location and we truly appreciate the opportunity to have our meeting at this location.  

I have attached the meeting minutes for the March 2019 meeting, a picture collage, and a few notes that I took about bead making.

Find us on Instagram (@claynetworkflorida), email (claynetwork2014@gmail.com), and the web at www.claynetwork.com.

Best Regards,

Cindy Ward

Clay Network Secretary

Clay Network Bi-Monthly General Meeting on March 10, 2019 from 2p-5p at Atlantic Beach Arts Marke

Please join us for our bi-monthly meeting to be held at Atlantic Beach Arts Market.   Directions to are easily accessed via Google Maps, Waze, and Navigation; apps that can be downloaded to a mobile device.  Carpooling is a great option and the St. Augustine crew has one, maybe 2 spots open. 

We would like to thank Chelsea Leonard, Owner/Operator of Atlantic Beach Arts Market, for sponsoring our first meeting at this location.  

Our meeting will kick off with the ever popular gourmet potluck "Meet and Eat" social hour @ 2pm. We'll try to keep it to about a half hour or so. This gives everyone a chance to get settled, grab a bite, and socialize a bit. Please consider bringing a dish and a friend to share!  There will be vegetarian and vegan options available.

Margaret Jimeson and Lisa Woodruff will be demonstrating their separate techniques for bead making and assembly.  Colored clay will be provided to practice bead making techniques.  We will also have pre-made beads available to demonstrate the assembly process. Please bring a container so that you will be able to transport your beads home.    

 We will also have our FREE raffle for an awesome pottery related item.

Our Lending Library will be available for members to "check out" resources for review and home use between meetings.  We would like to collect outstanding items to assess the contents and possibly add new titles.  If there is a resource that you think we should consider, just bring this up at the meeting.  

Consider inviting a friend to the meeting to share in the educational experience and cultivate the love of all things clay.

We look forward to seeing you all at the meeting. Please let us know if you have any ideas for workshops, demos, gallery visits, field trips...anything! We want this organization to meet your needs.  We have exciting workshops coming up and look forward to the coming year.  

Best Regards,

Cindy Ward

Secretary

Clay Network General Bi-Monthly Meeting on Sunday, January 13, 2019 2p-5p

Please join us for our next meeting on Sunday, January 13, 2019 at Wild Ginger Pottery Studio in Green Cove Springs, FL from 2p-5p.

Our meetings generally start with our wonderful potluck "Meet and Greet", which allows members to mingle a bit and grab a bite to eat. There are usually vegan/vegetarian options, as well as regular fare to choose from. The general meeting will follow the potluck with the demo to follow the meeting.

Member Cindy Taylor will provide the hands-on demonstration for this meeting. Cindy is an amazing hobby potter who has an exquisite, meticulous, and realistic eye for detail in her work. She won 1st Place for her slab built/sculpted entry of an antique hat box in our 2016 Holiday Exhibition in Atlantic Beach. She will share her technique of crafting sprigs, molds, and individualized clay tools.

The "Lending Library" will be available for member checkout. We have added new items to the library, keeping it current.

Additionally, we will have a FREE Cool Tool Raffle!  Who doesn't like free?

Please consider bringing a dish and a friend to share in the love of all things clay!

We look forward to seeing everyone!

Contact us if you'd like to attend, have questions, or need additional information.

North Beaches Art Walk and Clay Network

Clay Network will be participating in North Beach Art Walk on Thursday, November 15, 2018 and Thursday, December 20, 2018  from 5p-9pm.  We will be located in front of Mezza Restaurant and Bar (110 1st St. Neptune Beach, FL 32266).  Members will be selling their one-of-a-kind, handmade pottery.  This is where you will find that unique piece of art that you've been looking for!  Stop by and see us!

JAX VEGFest and Clay Network, Saturday, November 10, 2018 10a-4p

Clay Network will have two booths at the JAX VEGFest on Saturday, November 10th, 2018 from 10a-4p.  Our members will be selling their handmade, unique pottery at this wonderful event.  We will also be providing demos on the wheel throughout the day and will be available to answer questions regarding all things clay.

Stop by and say "Hello" and support your local artists!