June 2026
JUNE 2026 | ISSUE #069
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Hello Potters
From the President
It’s hard to believe it’s already June. The year has been busy so far, with plenty more still to come. Here’s what’s ahead:
The Et al Showcase kicks off with a Q&A with Alison James from Et al Gallery on 5th June, giving members a chance to learn more about the exhibition ahead of its opening on 22nd September and event night on the 26th.
Our Australiana magnet fundraiser, featuring a People’s Choice Award
An upgrade to HelloClub
The Mud to Masterpiece challenge, where members will create an animal sculpture
The Einbunpin Festival and Backyard Bonanza
The Sandgate Creative Trail, including workshops open to the public
A range of workshops and Sunday socials
Please welcome Lainey as our workshop coordinator, and thank you to Bec for all her hard work in the role. If you’re interested in running a workshop or Sunday Social, please contact Lainey to discuss it.
Happy potting
Suzanne
JUNE
5th – Et al Q & A
8th - Recovered Futures exhibition applications close
14th – call for workshops due
14th – 6 week intro into clay starts
JULY
1st – Upgrade to Helloclub V2
11th – Club Magnets due
25th – Magnet’s People’s Choice award announced
26th – Einbunpin Festival (sales and volunteering opportunities)
AUGUST
23rd – Backyard Bonanza at Bracken Ridge (sales and volunteering opportunities)
SEPTEMBER
21st – Et al Showcase bump in
22nd – Et al Showcase opens
26th – Et al Showcase event night
6 WEEK INTRO TO CLAY
& HAND-BUILDING
For further info and to book - head over to helloClub.
Dates and Times:
JUNE 14, 21 and 28
JULY 12, 19 and 26
9:30am - 1:30pm
Where
Shorncliffe Pottery Club Inc
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Q&A
Hello
Please join us Friday 5th June at 5:30pm for a Q&A session with the owner of Et Al Gallery and Studio and fellow club member, Alison James.
This Q&A session will give you the opportunity to ask all your questions in a relaxed and supportive environment.
This session is for everyone, even if you have never sold a piece before.
It’s an opportunity for members to learn about selling and exhibiting their work. First time or experienced there will be something for everyone. Practical and creative, including how to hang wall pieces (the gallery has beautiful wall space waiting for our work). This will be a relaxed and supportive environment for the sharing of ideas and asking questions.
Don’t miss this opportunity, sign up via helloClub.
Light refreshments will be provided.
When
Friday 5 June 05:30 – 07:00
Where
Shorncliffe Pottery Club Inc
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Clay/Glaze/Firing
After several mishaps in the kiln room recently, it's worth emphasizing how crucial it is to match your clay, glaze, and firing temperature. For example, if you use stoneware glaze on earthenware clay and fire it at a stoneware temperature, you'll end up with melted clay. Similarly, firing earthenware glaze at stoneware temperature results in a pool of glaze. To prevent these errors, maintain thorough records and review the specifications for your clay and glazes carefully. If you're uncertain, take the time to check and double-check before proceeding. It can be costly.
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Club Magnets
Don’t forget to make a magnet or two for the club competition. Theme for this one is Australiana. So get out your thongs and boomerang references and enter before it is too late. Entries close 11 July.
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Ikebana Pottery Competition
I am writing to invite your members to enter the new Sogetsu Ikebana Queensland Pottery Competition in June 2026. We are seeking entries from potters who might design pottery vases and containers suitable for Ikebana flower arrangements.
The Competition
I have attached a flyer which provides details of the competition requirements and an entry form. A prize of $500 will be awarded to the winning entry
The competition opens on 1 April and closes on 5 June 2026. The winning entry will be acquired by the Association for the use of its members in future exhibitions and demonstrations. All other entries will be made available for sale our 80+ members and 400+ visitors to the annual Sogetsu Ikebana Exhibition at the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens on 13 and 14 June 2026.
What is Ikebana?
Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arranging. Sogetsu Ikebana is the most modern form of ikebana. Ikebana is a creative expression within certain principles of construction that transforms both plant and non-plant materials into an artwork. Some characteristics that distinguish Ikebana from Western flower arrangements are the use of asymmetrical form, and a sense of balance and harmony among the materials, the container and the location of the arrangement. The vase or container forms an integral element of the arrangement.
Sogetsu Ikebana Queensland Inc
Sogetsu Ikebana Queensland is over 60 years old. It is a local, non-profit association whose members learn, teach and participate in ikebana demonstrations and exhibitions. To see examples of the use of pottery in ikebana works, please see any of our media sites:
Returning from 9–14 October 2026, Recovered Futures will be presented during Queensland Mental Health Week and proudly delivered by Richmond Fellowship Queensland (RFQ).
The exhibition showcases works by artists with lived experience of mental health challenges, creating a platform for shared stories that invite reflection, connection, and meaningful conversation.
Celebrating its 35th year in 2026, Recovered Futures carries a rich and evolving history. Since proudly hosting the exhibition in 2018, RFQ has remained committed to creating space for artists to share their stories. Explore the moments that have shaped the exhibition’s enduring legacy below.
Applications close 8th June 2026
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 at the pottery shed.
Blackwattle Earthenware Paper White
Blackwattle Terracotta
Chris’ Light Speckle
Clay works RGN
Clayworks Yellow Stoneware YG
Clayworks Granite
Feeney’s Red Raku
Keane’s Dark Matter
Keane’s Ceramics Midfire 33
Keane’s Stoneware 33 KC575
Keane’s Red Earth
Keane’s Midfire 6 Speckled
Keane’s Toast KC582
Walker’s White Midfire
And don’t forget, we now stock
a large range of Amaco and Mayco glazes.
Plus a comprehensive range of Kiwi underglazes to try.
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.
What is a Glaze?
Ceramic glaze, or simply glaze, is a glassy coating on ceramics. It is used for decoration, to ensure the item is impermeable to liquids and to minimize the adherence of pollutants.
Glazing renders earthenware impermeable to water, sealing the porosity of earthenware. It also gives a tougher surface. Glaze is also used on stoneware and porcelain. In addition to their functionality, glazes can form a variety of surface finishes, including degrees of glossy or matte finish and colour. Glazes may also enhance the underlying design or texture either unmodified or inscribed, carved or painted.
Glaze may be applied by spraying, dipping, trailing or brushing on an aqueous suspension of the unfired glaze. The colour of a glaze after it has been fired may be significantly different from before firing. To prevent glazed wares sticking to kiln furniture during firing, either a small part of the object being fired (for example, the foot) is left unglazed or, alternatively, special refractory "spurs" are used as supports. These are removed and discarded after the firing.
Our Committee
President: Suzanne Bell
Vice President: Melina Wales
Treasurer: Sandra Roveda
Secretary: Laura Ogden
Committee Members:
Rebecca Mason, Steve McConnell, Jen and Taylor
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
