May 2026
MAY 2026 | ISSUE #068
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Hello Potters
From the President
The club has successfully completed its first cleaning bee of the year, resulting in a tidy and well-maintained environment. We appreciate the contributions of all attendees, as well as those who have cleaned during studio sessions. Although cleaning may not be the most engaging aspect of pottery, it is essential to ensure that our workspace remains safe and orderly.
After months of anticipation, the kiln team has finally received the new nitrogen bonded silicon carbide kiln shelves. The lighter weight of these shelves is a huge benefit for the team. We extend our sincere thanks to the Kedron Wavell Club and the Sands Social, whose community grant program made this purchase possible.
The results of the Mud to Masterpiece survey are in: the chosen theme is animal sculpture. More information about the challenge will be sent to your email soon, so please watch your inbox. We look forward to seeing the incredible creations our talented members will craft.
If you are still 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
MAY
2nd – Mother’s Day Pop–Up [sales and volunteering opportunity]
3rd – Gold Coast Pottery Market
10th – Tea Cup/Mug and Textured Plate workshop
17th - Workshop Finishing Projects and Introduction to Glazing
JUNE
5th – Sogetsu Ikebana Qld entries close
8th - Recovered Futures exhibition applications close
13th+14th – Sogetsu Ikebana Pottery Competition Exhibition
14th – 6 week intro into clay starts
JULY
11th – Club Magnets due
25th – Magnet’s People’s Choice award announced
26th – Einbunpin Festival (sales and volunteering opportunities)
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
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Dip glazing : Mix / Plunge / Remove drips / let dry – Then sponge the bottom
Finishing Projects and Introduction to Glazing
For further info and to book - head over to helloClub.
When
Sunday 17 May 09:30 – 13:30
Where
Shorncliffe Pottery Club Inc
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Mother’s Day Pop–Up
The club is thrilled to host our Mother’s Day pop-up again this year, taking place on Saturday, 2nd May from 9 am to 1 pm at the studio.
We invite you to join us and bring along your pottery pieces for sale. Sales forms are available both at the club and on the members-only page of our website (password: SPCI). Please drop off your items and paperwork at the club after 8:15 am on the morning of the event, and pick them up at 1 pm.
Help us spread the word by sharing the event link from the club's Facebook page. Printed copies of the poster are also available at the club.
2 May @ the Shed
9 am to 1 pm
We also need members to volunteer for running the stall, please see the links on helloClub to sign up
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Easter Show Report
As usual the SAS Easter Show was a success with plenty of art to look at. It was a bit disappointing for pottery fans though, as there weren’t a lot of entries this year. Congratulations to the winners of each category and we look forward to another successful event next year. Above is a short movie of the winners.
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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.
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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.
Gold Coast Potters
Bi–Annual Art + Craft Market
Join us at the Gold Coast Potters bi-annual art and craft market. A diverse range of ceramics and other hand made crafts along with music and food vendors.
Sunday 3 May
8–00 to 1–00
Benowa Studio
173 Ashmore Rd, Benowa QLD 4217
[off street parking via Carrara St entrance]
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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 an Underglaze?
Pottery underglaze is a coloured, matte glaze applied to greenware [unfired clay] or bisque-fired pottery that is applied first [underneath] a clear top glaze. It acts like specialised paint, containing clay, colourants, and flux, allowing for detailed, non-running, and vibrant designs that remain exactly where they were painted before firing.
Underglazes are generally used for decorative work, providing artists with high control and the ability to create vivid, detailed ceramic pieces.
Key Characteristics and Uses:
Application: Applied to leather-hard or bisque-fired pieces using brushes, sponges, or spraying.
Stability: Unlike glazes, underglazes do not move or bleed
Finish: They fire matte unless covered with a clear glaze.
Colour Reliability: The colour is usually similar to the fired result.
Versatility: Ideal for intricate designs, painting, sgraffito [scratching through], or mishima [inlay] techniques.
How they are used
Draw with a lead pencil the outline of your design on greenware to get a sense of the illustration you are going to paint. Once bisqued, the pencil burns off completely and leaves only the underglaze painting. It is recommended to test a few tiles to see if your particular pencil burns completely off, some coloured pencils endure firings so make sure your pencil is ok first before using underglazes.
Underglazes can also be diluted and used like a watercolour style, just don’t dilute them too much or they can burn out. They can also be mixed together to form new colours, however this can have unpredictable results so better to test this as well.
Another useful tip is to paint – light to dark. Start with the lightest colours and progress through your design using gradually darker colours until finishing in black [subject to your design of course].
And make sure the underglaze is completely dry before applying the clear glaze on top to avoid smudging.
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
