Kia ora friends
Sorry I didn't get the newsletter out on Thursday, here's a special Monday issue instead :)
We've got all the firings coming up in the next couple of months, from the usual electric and gas, through to Raku, Wood, and Pit - find out about all these opportunities below...
Raku firing - 11th November
Tuesday 11th November
6pm - 9pm
Members and non-members welcome.
We're raku-ing again! Get involved in this awesome, fast-firing process! Our raku expert, David Kenny, will run this event providing you with an opportunity to fire a few items each.
If you haven't been part of a raku firing before, they are fun, dramatic, and yield unpredictable but breathtaking results.
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.
WSP Pit firing
Saturday 29th November, 10am - loading and firing the pit
Sunday 30th November, 2pm - unloading the pit
Are you keen to try out pit firing? We're running another WSP pit firing at Caroline Hamilton's, so here's your chance!
All you need is some bisque fired pots to bring along and pop into the pit. If you're keen to get involved in the firing too, there's plenty of chance for that. And of course we'll share a kai on firing day, so bring a plate to share.
Find all the info you need and sign-up online. If you have any questions, have a chat to Libby in the studio :)
School holiday pieces ready to collect
All the fabulous creations from the School Holiday workshops are ready to collect. If your kids have been waiting to come and collect their art works, they're waiting on the tables and shelves in the kitchen area - come get 'em!
End of year dates
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.
Auckland Potters BCDO
If you find yourself in Auckland on the 7th of December, head along to Auckland Potters Big Clay Day Out. They've got heaps happening and it promises to be a great day for the whole family.
Kiln for sale
Please contact the seller, Trish Malanaphy directly: maltrish@xtra.co.nz
FE Electric kiln, has a new controller.
External sizes: 1100 deep, 900 high (kiln only), 850 wide. The kiln is on legs which then makes it overall externally 1500mm high.
Internal sizes: 670 deep, 600 high, 460 width
Various shelves, props, many pigments, fire blankets internal and elements all in good condition.
Studio Schedule
Here’s how the studio is looking this week but, as always, remember to check the online calendar before you come in.
Monday 20th October
9.30am – 12.30pm: Wheel Throwing Class
1pm - 4pm: Members' Open Studio
6pm - 9pm: Hand Building Class
Tuesday 21st October
9.30am – 12.30pm: Wheel Throwing Class
1pm - 4pm: Members' Open Studio
6pm – 9pm: Play with Clay – thanks Margaret and David C! xx
Wednesday 22nd 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 23rd October
9.30am – 12.30pm: Sculpture Class
1pm - 4pm: Members' Open Studio
6pm - 9pm: Wheel Throwing Class
Friday 24th October
9.30am – 4pm: CLOSED for Diploma
6pm - 9pm: Intro to Pottery Class
Saturday 25th October
10am – 1pm: Play with Clay – thanks Teresa! xx
1pm – 4pm: Members’ Open Studio - thanks Alexis! xx
Sunday 26th October
CLOSED for Labour Weekend
Monday 27th October
CLOSED for Labour Day
