October 2026
OCTOBER 2026 | ISSUE #073
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Hello Potters
From the President
Our showcase at et al Gallery closes this Sunday after a highly successful run. More than 30 artists and 40 volunteers helped make it a highlight of the clubs year. Thank you to everyone who took part, especially Melina for organising and managing the day-to-day operations.
Mud to Masterpiece — Please drop off your pieces and entry form by 9 pm on Thursday 22 October. The pieces will be displayed at the studio on Saturday 24 October for the People’s Choice Award, followed by the prize-giving from 4 pm. Please RSVP through HelloClub so we can confirm numbers.
SAS Creative Trail — Please drop off your sale pieces and completed sales form by Thursday 22 October. Signs will show where to place each type of item. If this is your first sales event, feel free to email the club for more information.
Christmas is approaching quickly, so submit your pieces soon to ensure they are fired in time. We will announce the firing cut-off and Christmas shutdown dates during October, so please watch for updates.
Happy potting
Suzanne
SHOWCASE 2026 OPENING NIGHT
OCTOBER
4th – Et al Showcase closes
11th – Sunday social Flower arrangement in pottery vase
16th – Decorated drape bowl workshop (open to the public)
17th – Cleaning bee (volunteering opportunity)
18th – Decorate a ceramic plate workshop (open to the public)
22nd – Mud to masterpiece pieces due
23rd and 31st – Making and painting a fairy workshop (open to the public)
23rd – Decorate teacup and textured plate workshop (open to the public)
24th and 25th – Studio open for Creative Trail (sales and volunteering opportunities)
24th – Prize giving and people’s choice for Mud to masterpiece challenge
25th – Decorated drape bowl workshop (open to the public)
30th – Studio open for Creative trail, twilight (sales and volunteering opportunities)
30th – Cup and plate workshops (open to the public)
31st – Studio open for Creative Trail (sales and volunteering opportunities)
NOVEMBER
1st – Studio open for Creative Trail (sales and volunteering opportunities)
7th and 8th – Creating your Goddess workshop
DECEMBER
Firing shutdown TBA
Xmas shutdown TBA
Last 3 Days to Go and See
the Showcase of Your Work.
Don’t Miss Out
ELEMENTAL is Ceramic Arts Queensland’s annual showcase event featuring the ceramic arts from established and emerging artists of its members from throughout Queensland and northern New South Wales.
The exhibition highlights the diversity of contemporary ceramic art practice, with sculptural work, decorative objects, and functional ware on display. Most of the pieces will be available for purchase.
Dates: October 4 – October 11, 2026
Location: Metcalfe Gallery, Brisbane Institute of Art
41 Grafton St, Windsor QLD 4030, Australia
Mud to Masterpiece Challenge 2026
Shorncliffe Pottery Club Inc
The Mud to Masterpiece 2026 is well underway. You should be looking to fire your masterpiece now, if not - then hurry up!
For full details, see the poster or the copy displayed in the studio.
Please deliver sculptures to the studio by Thursday 22 October for judging the following day. The works will be displayed at the studio during Saturday’s creative trail, when votes will be collected for the People’s Choice Award and prizes will be presented. From Sunday, pieces may be taken home or, at the member’s choice, made available for sale during the creative trail.
Visit the members-only Facebook page for project ideas.
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Cleaning Bee – 17 October
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
SES
White Raku
Blackwattle Pottery Natural Speckle
Keane’s Ceramics Midfire 33
Keane’s Stoneware 33 KC575
Sculptural Fine
Cone 6 White
Clayworks Yellow Stoneware YG
Chris’ Light Speckle
Walkers Stoneware 10
Feeneys Clay FFB
Feeneys BRT
Feeneys BRS
Clayworks RGH
Keane’s Red Earth
Clayworks Granite
Keane’s Toast KC582
Feeney’s Red Raku
Blackwattle Terracotta
Keane’s Dark Matter
And don’t forget, we now stock
a large range of Amaco and Mayco glazes.
Plus a comprehensive range of Kiwi underglazes to try.
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We have popped all of the published tips, hacks and techniques onto the ‘Tips’ page on our club website so that you can search easily.
Left - Oxidation, Right - Reduction
What is Oxidation and Reduction Firing?
Oxidation Firing
Oxidation firing happens when there is plenty of oxygen in the kiln chamber for complete fuel combustion.
How it works: Oxygen flows freely, stabilizing metal oxides in glazes. Electric kilns naturally fire in full oxidation because they use heating elements instead of burning fuel. Gas or wood kilns can also oxidize if given ample airflow and burners adjusted for a clean burn.
Visual results: Produces bright, clean, predictable, and vibrant finishes. Copper typically yields vibrant greens and blues, while iron produces tans and rusty browns.
Reduction Firing
Reduction firing happens when the kiln environment is deprived of oxygen due to restricted airflow, heavy fuel input, or closed dampers.
How it works: Incomplete combustion creates carbon monoxide, which actively pulls oxygen atoms out of the glaze and clay body itself. This process requires a flame (such as gas, oil, or wood) and cannot be easily achieved in a standard electric kiln.
Visual results: Produces rich, earthy, organic, and often unpredictable results. Iron can shift to deep celadon greens, blues, or blacks, while copper can transform into deep, striking reds. It also brings out natural iron speckling in clay bodies.
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
