Winter Workshop - Silvie Granatelli & Bill VanGilder

This past weekend our guild had their Winter Workshop. The presentors were Bill Van Gilder and Silvie Granatelli.

Bill different firing methods, techniques for altering your pots, throwing tips, use of various tools, including tools he has made and sells. He also spoke about the DIY program he participated in for awhile and his book from that experience.

Silvie throws her pots then alters them by trimming and using a shur form to trim and make corners. She then etches designs into her pots. She discussed her love of swans, which she incorporates in her work.

Both spoke at length about their careers, studios and appreticeship programs.

There was a large attendence and we learned alot. At the Festival in May we should see a number of those techniques reflected in some of the pots for sale.

To see more photos check out the photo page.

Holiday Party

We had our Annual Holiday Party this past weekend. Judy Abdelaziz hosted. Doris Landrum opened with a short meeting. She thanked the outgoing board members, there were some announcements from the airport committee, programs and the DNC committee. We then had a great potluck dinner and got a chance to catch up with fellow guild members. Later we had the gift exchange and door prize giveaway. I think that all had a great time. See PHOTO page for more photos.

November meeting - Allison McGowan

For our November meeting we had a bonus mini workshop. Allison McGowan gave a great demonstration showing three pieces using hard and soft forms. She gave some fun ideas about how to add feet and rims to handbuilt pieces as well as using darting to change shapes. See photo page for more photos. Before the workshop we had our usual potluck lunch. Membership forms were available at the meeting (they are now uploaded here on the membership page.)

October meeting - Ron Philbeck presentor

Guild member Ron Philbeck was the demonstrator at our October guild meeting. Using a kickwheel he threw a casserole shape, then flattened the sides and using a cheese cutter, trimmed away the upper portion of the rim on the flattened sides leaving built in handles on the ends. He also demonstrated some of his scraffito slip work and passed around his homemade tools for scratching away the slip. For his critter drawings he says that it is most important to get the eyes right.

Fall Pottery Festival

One of the longest running pottery festivals in the region was on Saturday, October 8, 2011 from 10 am - 4 pm. The Carolina Claymatters Pottery Guild gathered on the grounds of McAlpine Business Park at 8300 Monroe Rd, the charming site of an old dairy farm and small orchard.

Featuring more than 50 artists from both of the Carolinas, the wares were diverse in form and function. The day was beautiful and we enjoyed visiting with all that attended.

Be sure to "like" our Facebook page to receive notices about our semi-annual Festival.

Picnic

Claymatters members gathered on September 18th for a picnic at the Hickory Grove, SC home and pottery studio of John and Jan Myers. Valerie Hawkins conducted a business meeting and presented a bisqueware display from the Sandi Pierantozzi/Neil Patterson and Sam Chung Workshops. John Myers demonstrated his pottery technique of using a centered mold on the wheel to shape slabs of clay into predictable forms. A potluck picnic and freshly churned ice cream followed. Thanks to John and Jan for hosting this years guild picnic.

Sam Chung Workshop

This years free summer workshop was presented by Sam Chung. He used patterns to make handbuilt forms with curves. Sam demonstrated this technique by making a pitcher, teapot and ewer. Great stories and thoughts were shared and fun was had by all. Sam's work is very whimsical and it will be great to see what everyone takes from the workshop.