Welcome Clay Enthusiasts!

We finished up 2010 in grand style!  We had several community happenings that our group supported.

 Our organization contributed over $500 to Empty Bowls at their annual event the week before Thanksgiving.  We had 49 bowls and 4 auctions pieces donated.  We sold 20 of the bowls and the auctions brought in $320!!  Thanks to everyone who donated, especially Karen J-A, Rob , Pat , and Marcia who donated those beautiful items for the silent auction.  Rob and Pat get a huge pat on the back for organizing this effort.    Next year Empty Bowls will be on Nov 15, 2011.  So we have a year to plan our bowls - lets work on some
awesome bowls so we can exceed this year's donation.

Clay Networks's table at Empty Bowls

We are continuing our library displays throughout the First Coast area.  Member’s works are displayed at local libraries to increase awareness of the art of pottery.  Although no selling is allowed, artist information is displayed along with the art.  Displays typically remain in place for four weeks and then are moved to the next venue.  If you would like your art displayed at one of the libraries, contact our secretary at ClayNetwork.com@gmail.com.
- Mary Ellen coordinated the display at St Augustine's Library as the last display of the year.
- Lisa has a beautiful display at the Beaches Library.  We had 49 items donate for display by ten of our members.  The display will be at the Beaches Library until the end of January so be sure to stop by for a look, if you are in the area.
- Marcia will coordinate our display at the Regency Library in April 2011

Beaches Library Display January 2011

Our final meeting of the year was at Karen's in Mandarin.  We had a beautiful day for our raku type firing of traditional and not so traditional horse hair firing.  Thank you Karen for hosting this event!  Aren't the pictures awesome?

Ready to pull

Warming the next batch

Applying the horse hair

Our first meeting of the year was at Lisa's at the Beaches where we had a fun mug/small pot exchange.  Each member discussed their item and then we drew to see what new treasure we would take home.  It was lots of fun!! 

The Clay Network of Northeast Florida is an organization where clay artists have the opportunity to improve their knowledge, to foster interest in sincere, creative craftsmanship and to educated the public in the appreciation of ceramics in our community.  If you have an interest in ceramics and pottery, please join us at our next meeting, May 22, 2:00pm at Karen's near Craig Airport. 

One of the many benefits of membership is being able to share in the different selling events sponsored by Clay Network throughout the year.  We have a tent and shelves.   We split the entry fees, take care of the applications, and we help each other.  This is an easy way to get involved in art festivals and other shows.  As a member you may borrow the tent for your own event for a small fee.

Clay Network will be sponsoring a selling event in Jerry's garden in St Augustine on April 30.  This is a wonderful spring show featuring 10 members exhibiting a large variety of ceramic art.  You will find all kinds of pottery from functional ceramic ware to whimsical to sculpture ceramics.  Taking a stroll through the fantastic garden is worth the free admission.  Save the date April 30th, to visit “Ceramics in the Garden” 10am to 4 pm in St. Augustine, FL. For more information on this Spring Garden Show contact our secretary Mary Ellen at ClayNetwork.com@gmail.com.

Another incredible benefit of membership is use of our extensive library of books, CDs, and DVDs on all aspects of ceramics and pottery.  The library is available at each meeting, so join us and browse the library.

Join us for fun and informative meetings.  Be sure to bring your favorite food item to share during our traditional potluck dinner that follows each program.

 If you would like more information and directions to the meeting please contact our secretary, Mary Ellen at ClayNetwork.com@gmail.com.

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JOIN US FOR A HORSE HAIR FIRING!!

Our program at the September 19th meeting was an example of two of our members conducting a program to share information they learned at a workshop for which they received partial funding from Clay Network.  Jerry and Christie attended a hand building workshop given by Sandy Pierantozzi.  They demonstrated several hand building techniques to the group.  We all learned how to make three legged pots, a four sided vessel from slabs and altering a simple cylinder by paddling  the bottom to form a mug or small pitcher.


The fall season of art shows and festivals is upon us!  Once again Clay Network will have a group tent at the St. Augustine Fall Art and Craft Festival.  Our members will share the tent and costs and have a great time.  Members will also provide wheel demonstrations throughout the day, so STOP BY THE TENT AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF.


We are continuing our library displays throughout the First Coast area.  Member’s works are displayed at local libraries to increase awareness of the art of pottery.  Although no selling is allowed, artist information is displayed along with the art.  Displays typically remain in place for four weeks and then are moved to the next venue.  If you would like your art displayed at one of the libraries, contact our secretary at ClayNetwork.com@gmail.com.  Stop by to see any of our displays.  The current schedule is as follows:


- St. Augustine  -  Mary Ellen coordinated our display which will be on display throughout October
- Beaches – Lisa plans to display in January 2011
- Regency – Marcia will coordinate this display in March 2011
- November and December are not planned due to the Holidays


Our final meeting of the year will be November 21 at Karen’s in Mandarin.  The program will be a horse hair firing.  Members can bring small terra sigillata polished pots and take home a beautiful horsehair finished pot.  In preparation for this program, Marcia demonstrated how to prepare and apply terra sigillata during our program last month. The detailed recipes and procedures are available by contacting our Secretary at  ClayNetwork.com@gmail.com. This will be great fun; so if you’ve never participated in a horsehair firing or just want to learn more about it, join us for our November meeting.


The Clay Network of Northeast Florida is an organization where clay artists have the opportunity to improve their knowledge, to foster interest in sincere, creative craftsmanship and to educated the public in the appreciation of ceramics in our community.  If you have an interest in ceramics and pottery, please join us at our next meeting, November 21 at 2:00pm at Karen’s.


One of the many benefits of membership is being able to share in the different selling events sponsored by Clay Network throughout the year.  We have a tent and shelves.   We split the entry fees, take care of the applications, and we help each other.  This is an easy way to get involved in art festivals and other shows.  As a member you may borrow the tent for your own event for a small fee.  If you would like more information please contact our secretary, Mary Ellen at ClayNetwork.com@gmail.com.


Another incredible benefit of membership is use of our extensive library of books, CDs, and DVDs on all aspects of ceramics and pottery.  The library is available at each meeting, so join us and browse the library.


Join us for fun and informative meetings.  Be sure to bring your favorite food item to share during our traditional potluck dinner that follows each program.

Fall Happenings

Terra Sigilatta demo

The fall season of art shows and festivals is almost upon us!  Once again Clay Network will have a group tent at the St. Augustine Fall Art and Craft Festival.  Our members will share the tent and costs and have a great time.  Members will also provide wheel demonstrations throughout the day, so STOP BY THE TENT AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

Jerry is a chairperson for the St. Augustine Art Association ‘s 9th Annual Tactile Art Show, October 1-28, in the Main Gallery, at 22 Marine Street.  This is a fun “touchable art” show with over $1000 in prize money, including, our very own ” The Clay Network $100 “Outstanding Ceramic Art Award.”  See the sidebar “Opportunities” for more information.

We are continuing our library displays throughout the First Coast area.  Member’s works are displayed at local libraries to increase awareness of the art of pottery.  Although no selling is allowed, artist information is displayed along with the art.  Displays typically remain in place for four weeks and then are moved to the next venue.  If you would like your art displayed at one of the libraries, contact our secretary at ClayNetwork.com@gmail.com.  The current schedule is as follows:

o       Mandarin  - We will exhibit there in August – this is a change.
o       Deerwood  - We will exhibit e in Sep.  The case is only 18” tall so only short things can be displayed.
o       St. Augustine  - We will exhibit in Oct.  Two bookcases 6 feet tall and 36” wide are available
o       We are also looking at the Beaches, Regency, Fernandina, and Ponte Vedra .

At our last meeting, Marcia announced the return of scholarships to help members attend workshop, seminars, or national meetings.  Payback would be in the form of hosting a program for the members of Clay Network sharing some of the techniques learned.  Our September 19th program will be such a program.  Jerry and Christie received some financial support to attend the Potter’s Council Handbuilding Conference in Atlanta at the end of May.  Don’t miss hearing all the insider points and new ideas they brought back with them.  The program will follow the general meeting at 2:00 pm, Sunday September 19 at Christie’s in St. Augustine.

Our final meeting of the year will be November 21 at Karen’s in Mandarin.  The program will be a horsehair firing.  Members can bring small terra sigillata polished pots and take home a beautiful horsehair finished pot.  In preparation for this program, Marcia demonstrated how to prepare and apply terra sigillata.  The detailed recipes and procedures will be provided to members who were unable to attend our July meeting.  This is great fun; so if you’ve never participated in a horsehair firing or just want to learn more about it, join us for our November meeting.

Detailed instructions available

Measure specific gravity

Apply the terra sig

Polish when dry

The Clay Network of Northeast Florida is an organization where clay artists have the opportunity to improve their knowledge, to foster interest in sincere, creative craftsmanship and to educated the public in the appreciation of ceramics in our community.  If you have an interest in ceramics and pottery, please join us at our next meeting, September 19.

One of the many benefits of membership is being able to share in the different selling events sponsored by Clay Network throughout the year.  We have a tent and shelves.   We split the entry fees, take care of the applications, and we help each other.  This is an easy way to get involved in art festivals and other shows.  As a member you may borrow the tent for your own event for a small fee.  If you would like more information please contact our secretary, Mary Ellen at ClayNetwork.com@gmail.com.

Join us for fun and informative meetings.  Be sure to bring your favorite food item to share during our traditional potluck dinner that follows each program.