April 2026
APRIL 2026 | ISSUE #067
Is this email not displaying correctly?
View it in your browser
Hello Potters
From the President
Thank you to everyone who participated in the pottery gathering and AGM. The day was a great success with excellent attendance. Highlights were as follows:
Discussion and acceptance of the year's financial results and audit
Re-election of the current committee
Clarification regarding concessional membership
Upcoming events and workshops
Mud to Masterpiece challenge for members – a poll will be emailed soon so members can help decide the challenge
Improved accessibility for members – please watch for an upcoming questionnaire about inclusiveness
Silica risk assessment consultation – the club will investigate what is needed for a safe spraying booth
If you're searching for the perfect gift for your mum, someone special, or even for yourself, visit the studio on Saturday, 2nd May from 9am to 1pm. Take a look at our members' creations as well as offerings from the Gumbuya Gardens stall.
Happy potting
Suzanne
APRIL
1st – 5 week Hand Building workshop starts
2nd to 6th – Easter Art Show
12th – Introduction to Clay and basic hand building workshop
26th – Cleaning Bee [volunteering opportunity]
MAY
2nd – Mother’s Day Pop–Up [sales and volunteering opportunity]
10th - Tea Cup/Mug and Textured Plate workshop
JUNE
5th – entries for Sogetsu Ikebana Qld prize close
14th – Sunday Social – Underglazes
13th+14th – Sogetsu Ikebana Pottery Competition Exhibition
JULY
11th – Magnets due
25th – Peoples choice award announced
Sunday Social
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Tea Cup/Mug and Textured Plate Workshop (Set of 2)
For further info and to book - head over to helloClub.
When
Sunday 10 May 09:30 – 13:30
Where
Shorncliffe Pottery Club Inc
Mother’s Day Pop–Up
We would love it if you could join us and bring down some of your pottery pieces to sell. You will find the sales form in the club and on the members only page of our website. Drop your pieces and paperwork down to the park on the day.
We also need members to volunteer for running the stall, please see the links on helloClub to sign up
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.
So Long…
Popular, long time members of the Thursday night crew, Christie and Dustin, are leaving for greener pastures at Carnavon Gorge. We wish them the best of success on their new adventure and hope they find time to continue their ceramic journey.
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.
Easter Art Show 2026
Exhibition Dates:
Thursday 2 April – Monday 6 April 2026
Venue:
Callan Centre, Pier Avenue, St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe
Opening Night:
Thursday 2 April | 6.00pm – 8.30pm
Exhibition Open:
Friday 3 April – Sunday 5 April | 10.00am – 4.00pm
Monday 6 April | 10.00am – 2.00pm
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
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:
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
Clayworks Yellow Stoneware YG
Clayworks Brown Stoneware BG
Clayworks Granite
Feeny’s Buff Raku Sandy BRS
Feeny’s Buff Raku Trachyte BRT
Feeny’s Chocolate Brown FCB
Feeny’s Raku Gold FRG
Keane’s Stoneware 33 KC575
Keane’s Stoneware 7 Speckled
Keane’s Midfire 6 Speckled
Keane’s Toast KC582
Keane’s Ironstone KC535
Northcote Clay Works RGH Stoneware
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.
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.
Stay Level Tip
Here’s a simple way to level the height of your pottery
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUl44fEjYBU/?igsh=MXFvNHhsb3E1cGthMA==
Sharpie Comparison
Gold, Bronze or Silver sharpie comparison
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTu9RHKEYsy/?igsh=MWgyaHF6Mm5zNXpjbw==
Happy Handles Demo
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFrsxgSA29z/?igsh=MWNsdXZ2YTh5b3BjcA==
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
