Kia ora clay fam!
It's been a busy week here with classes starting up and Magic Margaret has been pumping all the the work through the kilns - she's had all five electrics firing at once quite frequently lately. A good indicator of how busy all you beautiful potters have been!
We've got a a short newsletter for you this week - get into it below...
Studio closed tomorrow - Friday 10th October
We're a little short staffed at the moment, so the studio will be "closed-closed" tomorrow morning while Diploma teaching is on. Usually we still allow drop-offs and pick-ups on Diploma days, but we won't be able to tomorrow morning, sorry. If you need to pop in to collect your pots or drop some off for firing, please come after 1pm, when Larissa will be here to assist you.
As always, the production area of the studio and the glazing area will be closed all day for the Diploma class.
Phoenix wood firing in November
Keen to get some glorious wood fired pots into your life, like the ones above? Sign-up for the November Phoenix firing with fabulous fire-master Suzy Dunser!
This will be the last WSP wood firing for 2025, and the next one won't happen until March/April next year - so now's your chance :)
These are the dates you'll need to be available for the prep and firing days:
Saturday 1st / Sunday 2nd November (date TBC): Prep day: organize wood, prep shelves and kiln
Saturday 8th November: packing kiln
Sunday 9th November: firing kiln
Saturday 15th / Sunday 16th November (date TBC): unloading kiln
For everything else you need to know and to sign-up, visit the booking page here.
End of year dates...
The year has been flying by and it's time to start thinking about firing cut off dates, Christmas parties and working bees. Here's what you need to know:
Sunday 30th November - Last date for private kiln bookings
Book in early to make sure you can hire a kiln before this cut-off date.
Monday 8th December - Bisque firing deadline
We recommend dropping off your pieces for bisque firing by this date, to make sure you get them back in time to glaze them and fire again before we close. You will still be welcome to leave work for bisque or glaze firing after this date, and we will do our best to process it, but we can’t guarantee that it will make it through before we close for the holidays.
Monday 15th December - Glaze firing deadline
We recommend dropping off your pieces for glaze firing by this date, to make sure you get them back before we close. You will still be welcome to leave work for bisque or glaze firing after this date, and we will do our best to process it, but we can’t guarantee that it will make it through before we close for the holidays.
Monday 15th December, 10am - 4pm - Working Bee
Annual working bee - we'll get sign-up sheets sorted for this soon, but please save the date in the mean time.
Tuesday 16th December, 5.30pm - Christmas Party
No Play with Clay, come along to the xmas party, share a kai and take part in the Secret Santa thievery instead.
Friday 19th December, 4pm - Studio Closes
This is your last chance to get into the studio for 2025, and last day for pick-ups. The studio will close at 4pm, and will reopen again on Monday the 12th of January.
Studio Schedule
Here’s how the studio is looking this week but, as always, remember to check the online calendar before you come in.
Friday 10th October
9.30am - 4pm: CLOSED for Diploma
1pm - 4pm: Drop-offs and pick-ups during these hours only please
6pm - 9pm: Intro to Pottery Class
Saturday 11th October
10am – 1pm: Play with Clay – thanks Tim! Xx
1pm - 4pm: Members' Open Studio - thanks Shelley! xx
All day: Phoenix loading day
Sunday 12th October
10am - 1pm: Wheel Throwing Taster Class
All day: Phoenix firing day
Monday 13th October
9.30am – 12.30pm: Wheel Throwing Class
1pm - 4pm: Members' Open Studio
6pm - 9pm: Hand Building Class
Tuesday 14th October
9.30am – 12.30pm: Wheel Throwing Class
1pm - 4pm: Members' Open Studio
6pm – 9pm: Play with Clay – thanks Margaret and Patsy! xx
Wednesday 15th October
9.30am – 12.30pm: Play with Clay - thanks Yasmin and Kristen! xx
1pm – 4pm: Members’ Open Studio
4pm - 5.30pm: Kids' Play with Clay
6pm - 9pm: Wheel Throwing Class
Thursday 16th October
9.30am – 12.30pm: Sculpture Class
1pm - 4pm: Members' Open Studio
6pm - 9pm: Wheel Throwing Class
Friday 17th October
9.30am – 4pm: Members' Open Studio
6pm - 9pm: Intro to Pottery Class
Saturday 18th October
10am – 1pm: Play with Clay – thanks Teresa! And welcome back xx
1pm – 4pm: Members’ Open Studio
All day: Phoenix unloading day
Sunday 19th October
10am - 1pm: Wheel Throwing Class
