The big news is that the expansion is moving forward. Ken Feldman, our project manager, as of March 14 has obtained approval for Phase 2, which is the design phase. Large Project Team (LPT) continues to work together with Ken and our Grand BOD liaison to provide specific information requested regarding the needs of both Glass and Clay. Looks as though the start date will likely be spring of 2025. Because of the unknowns though, if you plan to leave within the next 45 days for the summer (by the end of April), please empty and clean your cubby.

We have had several difficulties with our kilns. I believe we have been good stewards with maintaining the equipment, however, there is a point in time as they age that it becomes quite difficult to manage. Last week was one of those times. At one point we thought three of the kilns had repair needs. One turned out to be okay and was back up and running quickly. The other two were out of commission for a few days while the troubleshooting occurred. This caused a back log of pottery, both bisque and glaze. Our member, Vern Bergen is knowledgeable in the kiln world. He has worked tirelessly to keep our kilns running. We follow his direction. The kiln crew has been exemplary in their dedication. Thank you to those volunteers who worked mighty hard to keep the flow going.

Special thanks to our woodworkers for sharing their talents. Our hat tips to Bob Singer and Bob Schulzetenberg (Sandi’s husband) for their work on giving our monitor desk a fresh look. And to Jim Donaldson who has been busy with carpenter skills too, with a nice repair to our black cart. Your work is appreciated.

February 16th twenty studio members participated in Feed My Starving Children Mobile Pack unit.  Thank you to all who participated and thanks to Chris Mead for being lead coordinator for the charitable event.

 

The leadership team recognizes this is an exciting time for GCA and also a challenging time. As a club, we are experiencing an elevated level of interest in the art of clay at a time when our need to have expanded space with updated capabilities is still on the horizon. Through this season of our history, we strive to foster a respectful, civil environment and we appreciate all who contribute to that effort. Thank you for your positivity.

 

See you in the Studio!

Stay Healthy! Time for Spring Cleaning!

Snowbirds have been asked to clean and empty their cubbies when they leave for the season. Please help keep the air clean for those who are staying throughout the summer months. Take time to wipe out your cubby with a wet sponge and get all that dust out. If you are staying throughout the summer, it is a suitable time to take everything out and clean your cubby.

Reminder on General Daily Cleaning

Please-Please-Please Clean up after yourselves! Clay dust is dangerous to your health. Every one of us is responsible for cleaning the countertops, tools, floors, etc. that we dirty. When cleaning counter tops, wash well with a sponge, then dry with paper towel. If you look at the paper towel, you will see all the dust that comes off. Also, if sanding your work outside, please clean table-tops, garbage can top, or wherever you are sanding. Be courteous to members and outside Grand guests.

Thanks for caring about your friends' health.

There are several "happenings" in and around IT this month. Take a look…

1. Introducing Affinipay
We have discontinued the use of PayPal for our online payments. With our most recent membership renewal cycle, there were various issues with PayPal, so we opted to use the Affinipay payment system. This has been implemented for all payments made through our website, including member dues, classes, cubbies, and replacement name badges.  (It does not impact anything bought on Square.)  
Affinipay is PCI DSS certified, with the highest security level available, a Level 1 Service Provider. It is currently being used by several other Grand clubs, and so far, it’s working well for us. If you do have any questions or concerns, please let me or Debbie Meyer know. 

2. We've implemented a Suggestion Box.
Click the link on the homepage, under Member Functions. All our members' thoughts and suggestions are valued, so let us know what’s up!

3. There are new postings on our Classified Ads.
New ads include some studio equipment items.  Check it out!

 

The raku/horsehair group, hanging out after a morning of firing wonderful things.

1.  There is a new disclaimer regarding Gallery items, which has been approved by the Board.  It is displayed on the submit form:  The club is not responsible for any damage to or loss of artwork placed in the gallery or at Markets.  You will not be reimbursed for any damage or loss.

2.  A note to Artists:
If you have a piece sold in the studio, or at a market, there is a delay between the sale itself, and the online gallery being updated. This is a manual process it may take a day or two.  So, before you submit a replacement piece for something that you believe has sold, please check the online Gallery to make sure your piece is marked SOLD OUT.  This keeps the Gallery staff from having to research the situation before posting the new piece. Artists are limited to 5 active pieces at any one time, so we may not add another piece if there are already 5 items, and the supposed sold item has not yet been processed.

3.  Artists will be notified if your piece has been on the Gallery for the 2 month limit.  When notified, please request to remove your item online and  then take it out of the studio immediately.  I will be placing pieces on the front window middle shelf for pickup.

4.  Just a reminder for the Gallery tags: price on one side, name and piece title on the other side.  I need space to mark the date and G on the price side.

Have you noticed the new desk top we have in the studio lobby?  It looks fantastic and really makes the lobby look fresh and inviting.  Many thanks to Bob Singer and Bob Schulzetenberg for the installation!

March is offering many exciting classes for members to learn new techniques and demonstrate their creativity... and April will have more great classes. Be sure to check out the calendar of classes.

Members have a special opportunity to hear from four artists in our studio at Ask The Artist on Tuesday, March 19. The artists will share their inspiration, challenges and show some of their pieces. Please sign up to attend. 

A few new offerings are available in April: 

Using GF Forms and Plaster Molds. This exciting new class will teach you to use forms to create platters, plates, etc and then embellish them. You’ll leave the class knowing how to use the variety of forms/molds available in the studio. 

Wag Your Tail will teach you to create an animal using the slab technique. You’ll create a fun dog, cat, etc plus learn a valuable building technique. 

Check out the full April listing of classes.

1) All of the glazes are up off the floor. We do not recommend using the glazes in the buckets on the floor since they are not maintained.

2) There is a squeeze bottle of gumsol (gum based brushing medium) on the shelf with the stains. This is for you to adjust the brushing characteristics of any glaze. Add a small amount to the glaze in your (yogurt) cup. Mix and test for brush ability. If your cup of glaze is not otherwise contaminated, it may be returned to the source bucket.

3) Use the Glaze Room Request Form when you have a concern or request. (Find these in the folder on top of the microwave) or use this QR code:

Send an Email to GlazeLead@GrandClayArts.com using this QR code:

Scan with your camera and choose ‘Email’.  Describe the problem.

The 5th person to use this QR code wins a prize!

4) We are looking for new glaze team members. If you're interested in learning something new, let's talk.

5) Please leave the glaze room looking better than when you arrived.  You can make a big difference during this busy time of the year.

6) High Fire kiln sheets. From your glaze use notation on the white high fire kiln sheets, we can judge how popular are our glazes. About 30% indicate Artist’s Glaze and about 10% leave us guessing. From those that give detail of your glaze choices, here is what we can learn.  Those glazes on the tail of this Pareto chart are most likely to be downsized or removed.

 

 

6) If you have a favorite glaze combination to share; send the glaze team a picture and your recipe.

This month we have an example from Pat O’Brien of a uniquely glazed lidded jar.

The clay body is Speckled Buff.

Glaze sequence:  Full dip of Antique Jade then spot brush a patchwork of Power Turquoise, Fern Green, Gloss Black and Archie’s. (limit Archie’s to the top 2/3).

 

 

 

Our busy season presents many challenges when firing the kilns. Our kilns are presently working 24 hours a day. 

When you have pieces awaiting processing (bisque or glaze) be patient, as loading the kilns is like doing a puzzle. Large pieces need wider or higher space and present quite a challenge when the shelves are loaded. It may take a few days longer to get them into a kiln for firing. 

Also, when you know that kilns will be unloaded, please schedule a prompt pick up of your work as the shelf space is limited. We CAN NOT STORE for you on the bisque shelves while you wait to glaze them another day. Place them in your vehicle or take them home until you are ready to glaze, please. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

 

Even with this lovely weather, our club remains very busy with creativity.

Special orders have been at a season high, and Becki is handling all your orders as quickly as possible. 

A new popular item has been a hit at the studio this past week. I am referring to Mayco Cobblestone White and Black.
Due to its popularity, I have advance ordered 12 / 4 oz Jars of the White and 6/ 4 oz jars of the black. Please let Becki or me know if you are interested in a jar, and we will put your name on our list. Presently these jars are on back order but we will have you on the first come first served notice once they come in. 

A reminder to everyone that "ALL STUDIO Equipment MUST BE USED AND REMAIN IN STUDIO"
This includes MOLDS, ware boards, texture tools, wedging boards, turn tables, and all other Studio equipment. 

Please refrain from cutting up our large studio clean-up sponges to use as support for your pieces or for glazing/ staining your pieces. Small and large sponges are available to purchase for such needs. 

In anticipation of snowbirds leaving and heading back to their homes, some have pottery studios of their own as we all know. Clay supplies are a challenge this year with delivery being our largest issue. In the past members have purchased clay directly from the studio but due to our delivery process we will be limiting clay purchases from the studio to 2 bags of clay. (#50)  
We ask that if you know when you will be leaving and wanting to take more than the #50 / 2 bags, that you place a "Special Order" a week or two before your planned departure and Becki or I will arrange for you to "PICK UP AT MARJON." You will pay for your clay at the club and get the same rate as usual provided it is one of our standard clay bodies. We are forever grateful for your cooperation in this matter.

 

Thank you for your understanding in all these matters.