November 2025
NOVEMBER 2025 | ISSUE #062
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Hello Potters
From the President
October is always a busy month in the studios calendar, and this was certainly no exception. We cleaned the studio from top to bottom, painted plinths and even some walls. We squeezed in more plinths and displays in the back room than we thought was possible then filled it to the brim with amazing pottery before opening the doors to the public and workshop participants. What an achievement.
We had a record breaking 31 potters selling their pieces this year which was such a testament to the strength of the club. The high quality of the pieces was commented on by many members and visitors. One thing that I find particularly touching is the number of members who brought other members pottery. It’s lovely to see how supportive everyone is.
I wish I could personally name every single member who volunteered to make this all happen but the list is too long. So please take this as a big thank you for your time, effort and passion. It’s what makes our club so special.
I would like to also thank Kylie Smith, a general committee member for her time on the committee. Unfortunately, she has had to resign for personal reasons, we thank her for her contributions.
Please join us on the 8th November for our general members meeting. We will be voting in two new committee members and membership changes for 2026. Please sign up via Helloclub.
You may not realise it, but we have been one kiln down for over a month now while waiting for parts. The reason you might not have noticed is that the kiln team have been working extra hard to keep up with the amazing number of pieces you all make! Thank you to Douglas and team including Melina, Sandy, Laura, Jean, Barb, Brooke, Kat and new trainee Chrystal. They will be taking a well-earned break in December so please make sure you check out the closing times below.
Happy potting
Suzanne
NOVEMBER
8th – General Members Meeting
22nd and 23rd - Sunshine Coast Art+Design Fair [see below]
6th to 30th - Canberra Potters Members Exhibition [see below]
DECEMBER
1st – Membership renewals commence
6th – Last day for firing drop off (does not guarantee they will be fired)
6th – Xmas raffle drawn
18th – last studio sessions and firing pick-ups for the year
JANUARY
12th - Studio reopens
FEBRUARY
1st – Memberships reopen
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Studio Break
Last day for dropping off firing Saturday 6th December, the team will try and get everything fired but there is no guarantee.
Last sessions and firing pickup Thursday 18th December.
Studio sessions start again Monday 12th January.
Our kiln team and supervisors have worked hard all year; please join us in respecting their well-deserved break.
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The Greenman Workshop
It looks like a fun time was had at the workshop and what amazing results.
click on an image to view larger
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Art Trail 2025 Wrap
What a fabulous two weekends. Our studio had so many lovely visitors and a record number of 31 potters displaying their works. Well done to all of those potters.
None of this would be possible without the work of so many volunteers at SasArt and Shorncliffe Pottery Club Inc. thank you each and every one of you, from the cleaning bee to the demonstrators to the support crews.
Thank you everyone.
“Shadow Fall No.2” by Robyn Campbell
The 2025 Canberra Potters Members Exhibition opens this week, and you're invited! This annual highlight celebrates the creativity of our members, showcasing some of the finest works created over the past twelve months. This year is extra special as we mark 50 years of Canberra Potters.
We’re delighted to have Michael Pettersson MLA, Minister for Business, Arts and Creative Industries for the ACT, officially open the exhibition and unveil our new kiln and glaze shed.
A range of awards and prizes will be presented on the night, with Vicki Grima OAM joining us as this year’s guest judge. We hope you can join us to celebrate.
November 6 – 30
1 Aspinall Street, Watson ACT 2602
Current Clay in Stock
We have a large range of clay in stock, all at great prices. Just ask your supervisor next time you are down at the pottery shed.
Blackwattle Earthenware Paper White
Blackwattle Stoneware Paper Clay
Chris’ Light Speckle
Clayworks Yellow Stoneware YG
Feeny’s Buff Raku Sandy BRS
Feeny’s Red Raku
Feeny’s Fine Blend FFB
Feeny’s Raku Gold RG
Keane’s Stoneware 33 KC575
Keane’s White Raku KC585
Keane’s Ironstone KC535
Keane’s Dark Matter KC638
Keane’s Ceramic White Handbuilding WH
Keane’s White Earthenware 37
Northcote Cone 6 White
Northcote Granite
Northcote Sculptural Fine
Walker’s Fine White Stoneware PB10
Walker’s Fine White Stoneware PB103
And don’t forget, we now stock
a large range of Amaco and Mayco glazes to buy.
Revolutionary New Clay Will Reduce Pottery Energy Costs
Story by Matt Weigoldin from Stoke-on-Trent BBC
Hear the excitement of Valentine Clays CEO, Hannah Ault, on the launch of her low-firing clay
High energy costs have repeatedly been blamed for the closure of long-running pottery companies and the redundancy of many Staffordshire workers this year. But a Stoke-on-Trent clay supplier's new stoneware product will dramatically reduce firing temperatures and save potters money.
Valentine Clays' chief executive officer, Hannah Ault, said "This is my bit as a supply chain to try and help the industry and do what I can and just help people to bring costs down," she said. "They don't need to fire their kilns at that ridiculously high temperature anymore."
Valentine Clays, which is based in Fenton, have been researching and developing their LoStone range for decades and have now released a clay that they said "the UK hasn't seen before". "It's a real big deal, and we are just trying to do our bit in terms of sustainability," said Ms Ault, who is also the president of Ceramics UK.
"We're all really conscious of the energy crisis that the ceramic industry is currently facing."
Royal Stafford in Burslem, Heraldic in Newstead, and Moorcroft in Cobridge collapsed this year due to rising energy costs and falling sales. More recently, pottery giant Wedgwood in Barlaston paused production until December.
It is a development that has the backing of Great Pottery Throw Down series consultant, Kevin Millward. "The advantages of bringing the firing temps down are massive," he stressed.
"This new range of stoneware bodies that Valentine's are bringing out will be very welcome, particularly in the hobby and studio market."
We have popped all of the published tips, hacks and techniques onto the ‘Tips’ page on our club website so that you can search for them easily.
How to Pit Fire
People have been creating pottery for millennia and only more recently have kilns become popular. Here’s how to pit fire your pots at home. It is worth noting to take care when firing and do so in a cleared area away from buildings. It is also advisable to have some water, either a hose or a bucket, or an extinguisher to put out any fires that get out of hand.
The Pit Fire Method
If your pottery is already bisque fired you won’t have to worry as much about breakage or getting the fire hot enough. However, if you are making primitive pottery and are firing ‘green ware’ then you need to be aware of the following:
Make sure the pottery is fully dry
Create a bed of coals first, then place the pottery over the coals and stack firewood over it all. This will completely envelop the pots with fire ensuring a good firing temperature is reached.
Once the fire has started sit back and wait, let the fire burn all the way down to ash before you take the pottery out. If your pottery isn’t fully fired (rings like a bell) then you did not use enough firewood.
You can repeat the process to achieve a better firing result.
Edit courtesy of Ancient Pottery by Andy Ward
Our Committee
President: Suzanne Bell
Vice President: Melina Wales
Treasurer: Sandra Roveda
Secretary: Laura Ogden
Committee Members:
Rebecca Mason, Steve McConnell
Newsletter Editor: Ed Trost
edtrost1961@gmail.com
email: shorncliffepotteryclubinc@gmail.com
follow us on
website + instagram + facebook
…Until next month…
HAPPY POTTING!
© Shorncliffe Pottery Club Inc
