Beginning our 17th year

woven coil pottery demonstrated by Pat

Our January meeting was held at Lisa's home in Neptune Beach.

It was a good way to start off 2010!

We had Marcia's “Photo Cube” set up for members to take some nice photos of their pottery. If you didn't take advantage of it this time, we will have the opportunity again when we meet at Christie's place in March. Once you have your pictures on a disc please send it to Marcia. She will make sure that Randy gets your work displayed on the “gallery” pages of our under-construction web site.

The Clay Network board has allotted funds from our treasury for donation to Jo Nell's church, in her memory. We had loads of goodies for everyone from Jo Nell's studio. Everyone selected items they can use, and in exchange we added our personal donations to increase the monies we will send to a favorite ministry of Jo Nell's.

We will pursue some group sales for the spring. Art & About in Orange Park sounds like a good event. The St Augustine Spring Art and Craft Festival is another one for which we will be organizing a group booth. If you want to be a part of either of these, please jump in. Whether you are a beginner, or a more seasoned potter, we will have a great time together as we share the space, the work load, and spend happy times together. Clay Network handles the tax collections for you. We have the tent and shelves. We split the entry fees, take care of applications, and we help each other. This is an easy way to get involved in art festivals.

We have been talking about a saggar firing workshop and we are going forward with that. We will have more information when we meet next time about preparing pots for that. We plan to fire in saggars this spring.

A raku workshop is in the planning stages as well.

The most important item of business was our yearly election.

Our officers for 2010:

President - Marcia Scheeter

Vice President - Christie Rogers

Secretary - Mary Ellen Davidson

Treasurer - Jane Langford

and in appointed positions:

Librarian – Pat Robey

Historian – Carole Malcolm

Hospitality – vacant at this time

We thank all of them for stepping up to lead us as we begin our 17^th year.

We are always welcoming new members. Come and join us in our Clay Network.

We would love to have you with us.

Please remember our dues are now due for the new year. Please send your check to Jane.

We have Clay Network T-shirts available for $20.

Program
Pat demonstrated her technique for making woven coil pottery.
She uses extruded coils of very soft stoneware clay. She starts with slightly flattened coils around the rim. A coil then crosses over the center, and another is placed perpendicular to the first, making a cross over the hump. She used a hump mold to shape the piece over, but you could also create this weaving inside a bowl type form. Coils are added and the under and over pattern is created. She lifts a coil over, and pokes the clay under using a gentle touch. She warned us not to cut the coils too short as some of the length is taken up as you weave. Pat smooths the coils to the rim making a good join. Then she adds a flattened coil over it to make a solid, strong rim. The form must be allowed to stiffen, then it is flipped over and the rim is refined. Perfect for bread! Nice for fruit too.

We finished up with our traditional potluck meal, which was enjoyed by all.

September Meeting Summary

Pat's pottery using slip transfer method

On Sunday, September 20th, 2009,Clay Network was happy to meet at Wild Ginger Studios in lovely Green Cove Springs.Thank you to AJ and Karen for welcoming us to their clean and very well equipped clay facilities.

Our Clay Network banner will be printed soon. We will add .com to our name on the banner.

Christie spoke about Clay Network doing the St Augustine Fall Festival as a group. It is a perfect opportunity for those just getting started, who aren't ready to do a solo show. It is also good for those who don't do shows anymore but like to do something occasionally. She encouraged everyone to participate, if not in this event, then to prepare to join in the next.We will be dividing the fees of $225 and we will pay a small (10%) commission to our Clay Network on our sales.Clay Network will provide the tent, shelves, and we have the “tax number” to handle sales properly.We will have our booth at the end of a row this time. That will give us plenty of room for our demonstrations and for the crowds that love to watch us make the clay dance.

Clay Network is happy to participate in the 25th Annual Empty Bowls Luncheon benefiting the Second Harvest Food Bank of North Florida on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009, from noon – 1 p.m., at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. We will have our own table, with our Clay Network banner displayed. Our bowls will be sold to raise funds to support the food bank. We will also have a wheel to demonstrate throwing. All members are encouraged to donate for this worthy cause. Last year more than 1,200 people attended and the event raised over $75,000 for the Food Bank. We hope folks see the Clay Network name and get used to associating our group with fine clay works. There will also be a silent auction held, if you would like, you may donate a piece for that too.Pat and Marilyn are coordinating our participation in this event. Details and contact information has been emailed to members and friends.

Margaret will be collecting seaweed, as there is a good deal washing up at the beach behind her home now. Many members expressed interest in planning a sagger or pit firing workshop using seaweed, salt, copper, steel wool, cotton and various other ingredients to fire burnished low fired pots.

Marcia has made a “photo cube” from foam board. She will provide the opportunity for us to use her set up. We can all have nice pictures for our gallery pages on the up coming Clay Network web site.

The Clay Network will participate in the 2009 Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens First Anniversary Celebration. The event will be held Saturday November 14^th from 10am-4pm. We will be selling our garden art and pottery. Set up will begin at 8:30am and we will begin packing up at 4pm. You can visit http://www.jacksonvillearboretum.org/ for more information about the park. The celebration is covered under “things to do”. To participate in the sale, with the Clay Network, please contact Marcia.

Jane invited members to join her at the Unity Church on Race Track Rd. for a crafts sale Saturday, October 24^th, from 10am-4pm. An outdoor space of 12 x 12 is $25, an indoor space of 10 x 10 is $35. 15% commission on sales will be donated to the church. Please contact Jane if you would like to participate with her.

The Women's center of Jacksonville, and the St. Augustine Art Association also have a few upcoming events that they want us to know about. (Those items, and information about a workshop, have been posted under “opportunities in our area”. Please check the right side bar.)

Our next meeting will be held at 2pm on Sunday, November 15th at Marcia's home in the Arlington area of Jacksonville.

Program

AJ and Pat demonstrated a creative slip application method.

AJ began by brushing colored slip on newspaper, then carefully laying the paper, slip side down, on a prepared slab. She rubbed with her hand, and rolled the back of the paper with a “pony roller”. Then, carefully peeling back the newspaper, an irregular layer of colored slip was left on the clay. We learned that the slip she uses is colored with 20, 30, or up to 40% Mason Stains. She advised us to use another piece of newspaper to “blot” between applications. Next She added texture with a piece of netting. Then AJ trailed slip on a newspaper and waved it to dry “just until the shine goes off it”. She applied this to the slab as before. The layers of color and texture were built up a step at a time.

Pat showed us how to use a paintbrush handle to “write”on the backside of the slip coated paper. She uses stencils too. She noted that the stencils should be rolled into the clay well, so that the clay is pushing up through the openings. If slip is then applied with the paper, you get a “light effect” if you brush colored slip directly on the clay, you can get a darker, or more pronounced effect.

The “flinging” technique can be used to stretch the slab. The applied patterns will stretch too. Texture can be added with stamps, texture “sheets”, rollers, and stencils from craft stores, and with all types of “found” items. As she demonstrated, Pat's slab became rich in colors, textures and designs. So many possibilities!

What a wonderful demonstration! We all came away with great ideas to incorporate in our art.

Thank you AJ and Pat. You explained every step very well, and the beautiful pieces on display were quite inspirational.

A bountiful potluck meal was enjoyed by all as we chatted with our new members and friends.

If you have questions about any of the events, and do not know where to call, Lisa will be happy to put you in touch. (stixandstonz@hotmail.com).

July Meeting Summary

Photography workshop

The Clay Network's July meeting was held on Sunday the 19^th.

If you could not be there... here's what you missed.

The Clay Network library exhibits for May, and July, have been well received.Those members who have not yet participated can join the next exhibit at the Mandarin Branch Library for September. Please contact Christie.

Our members will donate to the Empty Bowls fund raiser to be held November 17^th at the Prime Osborn Center. Marilyn and Pat will co-chair this endeavor. This will be the 25^th anniversary of the empty Bowls event. We may want to try to reference this milestone in the design of our donated bowls. We will also demonstrate during the fund raiser. Everyone likes to see us working with the clay, almost as much as we enjoy doing it!

We will have a booth at the St. Augustine Fall Art and Craft festival, November 28^th, and 29th.We will be selling as well as demonstrating. The cost of the booth, and the duties, will be divided by the members who wish to participate. Please contact Margaret by September 15^th if you want to be a part of the fun. Clay Network has purchased large, sturdy, display shelves, as well as the tent.

Whether you have lots to sell, or just a few pots, this is a great way to get your work out there without a large individual investment.

What a great benefit for our members!

Our web site design is coming along. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the members gallery. Up to 12 photos will be displayed per person, as well as links to your own web sites and any other contact information you may wish to include.

Our next meeting will be held Sunday, September 20^th. The business meeting was followed by a very special program.

Program

How To Photograph Your Work- presented by guest artist Vina Schemer.

Some important tips from Vina:

Everyone should get to know their camera by reading the owner's manual.

She taught us how to use a fabric or paper backdrop, and how to make a simple hanger for the backdrop.

Vina recommends a resolution of at least 300 dpi for your pictures.

Using natural light outdoors is fine, but direct sun is not. Look for a shaded spot.

Tripods can be used to hold lights. The lights with the clamp work well.

A “spatter screen" can soften the light.

A poster board or foil can be used as a reflector to "bounce light”.

Vina advised us to view our pictures on the computer before dismantling the set.

Sometimes a vertical shot is preferable for publications.

Photoshop or other software can be used to lighten or darken your images.

Iprintfromhome.com can make slides for you if you need them.

With Vina's help, members were able to take some beautiful photos of their pottery.

It was a wonderful, educational presentation. Thank you Vina!

Refreshments were enjoyed as we finished the gathering.

Thank you Karen, for inviting us to your home.

Catch the Excitement

Marcia trimming a pot

A note from Marcia

Over the last several weeks there has been significant progress on our developing web site. I have met several times with our web designer, Randy Blake (who is generously donating his time and expertise), creating a site that will highlight the accomplishments of Clay Network and individual members alike. A number of writing and editing projects loom in the near future but the ground work is set and the page formats are looking good. Our blog link will be featured prominently and Lisa will be able to continue her amazing up-to-date notifications with ease. In the very near future, Randy will meet with the Board to present the current layout and discuss additions, changes, and links.

Additional preparation prior to launching our web site includes the need for quality photographs from each member who would like to be numbered in the Member's Gallery. To this end, the program presented at our next meeting will cover photographing ceramic work. Artist, teacher and nationally recognized professional clay artist Vina Schimmer be on hand to discuss not only digitally photographing ceramic artwork but composition, lighting and economical tips for getting the job done. Vina will not only lead us through the process but has asked that each member to bring their digital camera and one piece to photograph. There is nothing like one-on-one direction! This is one workshop that should not be missed!

I am looking forward to seeing you this July. Have a safe and productive summer.

Marcia

Get involved

Clay Network members get ready again- to show off your best work.

The Regency Square Regional Library,
located at 9900 Regency Square Blvd. in Jacksonville,
will be hosting our month-long exhibit beginning July 1st.

If you would like to have your art included please contact Marcia or Lisa.
Please remember to include a few of your business cards and a price list,
so that interested folks can contact you if they want more information,
or to purchase your creations.

If you are not yet a member, but would like to join the fun
please contact Lisa at Stixandstonz@hotmail.com.