Wood firing Experience 2012 - Packing Day

All our wares, glazed and ready to pack - a few more still to arrive.

some small ones into the firebox throat

some pva glue to hold the wadding in place

getting them in the throat from the chamber is a stretch

first layer in but no that water bottle won't stay there ;^)

We like that monkey down there

filling up the spaces with some jewllery

a great pack! full but with enough room for the flame to travel around, we hope!

What a great Team!!

and look what we have for next week, Firing Day!

2012 Wood fire Experience - Ready for bisque

These are the first of the pots delivered to TAFE Gymea this week ready to be bisque fired.  Great to see the variety coming in.  Sorry not to show more but when I went back in today our very competent Tech had already started to pack the kiln.

Next week will be the glazing days. More images then I hope.

July Meeting

Please join us for our July meeting where members are asked to bring along an example of one of their own pots which shows a particular technique they like and are happy with to share the details with others at the meeting.
Please bring a plate of food to share for supper.  See you in the upstairs meeting room, Cronulla School of Arts, off Surf Lane Cronulla at 7.30pm.

A few members attended the Keanes Open Day at Brookvale TAFE on Saturday 30 June.

Demonstrators included
Paul Davis + Jacqueline Clayton -Talk and Demonstration
* Cameron Williams -Throwing Techniques
* Samantha Robinson -Slipcasting
* Kate Dunn -Porcelain Paper Clay
* Petra Svoboda -Surface Design
* Trisha Dean -Individual Glaze Development
* Natalie Velthuyzen -Hand-forming Techniques

It was great weather for a drive on the north side of town.  Paul Davis was very generous with his tips for working with Porcelain, Cameron Williams used a new Keanes clay called Ironstone to throw his very large vessels and Petra Svoboda continues to inspire with her various print techniques.  Jacqueline Clayton was demonstrating hand made tissue prints and decals.

Click on the names for links to their websites or more information about them.

"Flowers" by Natalie Velthuyzen (image by Steve Cummings from exhibition at Inner City Clayworkers Gallery)

Possible Wood Firing Workshop at TAFE

 Members would have seen in their Newsletter that we are consulting with TAFE Gymea to have a Wood firing Workshop using their kiln.

Depending on numbers (and we are inviting St George Potters too) we hope to run a two day workshop in July.  It will include a pre-bisque of pots and any glazes needed.  Glaze and pack on Day One then Fire on Day Two.

It will be run on week days and it is hoped our instructor will be Sandy Lockwood.
Please contact Anna to put your name on the list.


UPDATE:  the event is going ahead and will take place early in August.  Keep watch for images of the work as it progresses..

St George and Sutherland Leader Article

Did you see the article about our 50th Anniversary Luncheon in the Leader this week?
Here is a copy:

May Meeting

Come along to our general meeting on 2 May at 7.30pm in the upstairs meeting room of the Cronulla School of Arts (off Surf Lane) and learn about Chinese Brush Painting and how you might use it to decorate your pots.  Bob Wood has been learning this art for many years now and uses it on his own pots, in his own style.  See what he has to say about this ancient technique.

50th Anniversary Luncheon and Display at Engadine Library

The 50th Anniversary Luncheon held in Sutherland on Saturday was a great success.  Enid Kirton gave interesting facts about the beginnings of the group and Graham Treddick (sp?) told us all about the trip to New Zealand. We had fun with a Trivia game and caught up with friends, many of whom we hadn't seen for a long time.

The history display is now up at the Engadine Library.  Do call by and check it out.  If you can tell us who the makers are of the pots on display we would be grateful.  They were purchased by a former Head Librarian of Sutherland Library and have been loaned to Engadine for the length of the display which runs until the 30th April 2012.

50th Anniversary Luncheon

Members past and present will congregate at the Sutherland United Services Club in East Parade, Sutherland on Saturday 31st March 2012 to celebrate 50 years of the group.
Many will travel from country areas to catch up with friends and celebrate and share a meal.
The afternoon will include a display of photos and newspaper clippings that show the varied history of the group and its members fine craft.

 And then on Sunday three members will be selling at the Stanwell Park Markets in the CWA hall.

Do you recognise these pots?

These pots are on display at our local library and at least two of them were made by members of the Port Hacking Potters Group.  We would love to identify the makers.  If you recognise these pots and know the maker, please send an email to pottersgroup@hotmail.com and we will get back to you.

Here they are:

Unknown makers - can you supply the names?

A call to past and current members for memorabillia

The Port Hacking Potters Group will be celebrating our 50 years of potting in 2012.

There will be a focus on our history and we are hoping members can provide photos, newsletters or newspaper articles or other historical items such as printed T-shirts or badges that will reflect the activities of the past 50 years.

Photo provided by Pat Petersen

If  you can help please email the group on pottersgroup@hotmail.com or write to us at
PO Box 71 MIRANDA NSW 1490