NEXT MONTHLY MEETING January 16, 2025 • 9 AM AZ Time • Hopi Room
FROM YOUR ACTING PRESIDENT
Cathy Rick
This is the time of year that I’m reminded of the many things that I’m grateful for. Near the very top of my list is the joy that comes from belonging to our Grand Clay Arts club. I joined GCA in 2017 hoping to find a fun new hobby in my semi-retirement years. Seven years later, I’m having a blast with y’all. Thank you for filling my life with such added blessings.
MESSAGE FROM NANCY QUINLISK, PRESIDENT
I continue to stay in touch with Nancy. She invites you to join her Caring Bridge if you’d like to see updates on how things are going for her. https://www.caringbridge.org/
This is her prayer as she continues her journey:
I am grateful for close family members who are accommodating my seemingly never-ending needs by adjusting their schedules. I appreciate those who are walking alongside me emotionally. I pray that I will be able to continue to discern God's will and see His work in my life. I pray thankfulness for all of you for your love and support. Although the future is uncertain, trusting in the Lord brings me peace and reminds me of a fundamental principle I have adopted from a book of the same title: either way, I win.
NEWS ABOUT OUR BUDGET
I was, and still am, so impressed with the group’s engagement and valuable input during the budget overview and discussion at our November General Membership meeting (draft minutes posted on website). Reminder: the Reserve account is used for asset replacement (i.e. kiln or wheel is no longer operational and we need to buy a replacement at current cost). The Reserve account is not meant to cover operating expenses.
On behalf of the GCA Board, THANK YOU! The Board met on December 5, 2024 to conduct a detailed review of our budget history in order to thoughtfully project our 2025 financials. We decided to include a portion of our anticipated expansion expenditures in our estimated 2025 budget. To cover those expenses and the increase in cost of supplies etc, it became clear that there is a need to increase our income streams.
Considering your input/advice regarding acceptable options for the Board to consider, the 2025 estimated budget is balanced based on the following.
Annual full-time membership dues = $55
Annual Fee for cubby = $40
Class fee for each session of a multiple session class = $5
Artist sales (now charging sales tax) = full 15% commission
Commission from sale of clay and tools = 10%
Members will be receiving an eInvoice for your dues and cubby fee. Payment can be made via the link provided on that invoice. Payment is due by January 15, 2025. Many thanks for your continued support.
IT CORNER
Karen LeMar, IT Director
Wow, what a great Fall it's been in Surprise! I hope everyone is enjoying this pleasant weather! There are a couple of topics to cover this month...
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES
Invoices will be emailed on or about 12/15.
Membership dues and cubby fees, for those who have one, will be included.
Remittance is due by 1/1 and considered late after 1/15.
Payment is online only, using credit or debit card.
GALLERY OPERATIONS
To view/verify your items on the Gallery, use the "Gallery Operations" link near the bottom of the page.
We have removed the "Record Gallery Sale" function from homepage, as its purpose was only to support check/cash sales, which are no longer accepted. All Gallery sales, both In-studio and at Market, are by credit card only.
To streamline the input of requests, we will no longer process a second photo. (This option will be removed from the submit form early next year.)
SUPPLIES
Theresa Fritz, Supply Director
Welcome back from your Thanksgiving break to many of you. The studio is a busy place once again.
You may notice that there are a couple of metal shelves on our drying racks for holding smaller, flat pieces. Please feel free to use these racks as we try and free up some space for all of your wonderful artwork.
A quick reminder that all studio supplies and equipment must remain at the studio and not be taken home. That includes work boards, banding wheels, texture tools, molds and all other tools. A number of our molds are being damaged by misuse resulting in cracks and chipping. (PLEASE HANDLE THE CLAY MOLDS WITH CARE AND DO NOT USE METAL PIN TOOLS ON THE MOLDS.) Use a wooden molding tool and save our mold gals hours of repair work. Replacing these molds is not an easy task.
Mudd tools is back up and running after the factory was destroyed during the hurricane Helene. So we shouldn't have too much trouble getting these supplies. Laguna has taken on Kemper tools and is presently working out production and supply chain issues. Some tools are still not available but hopefully that will improve over time.
Clay is restocked and we have a few extra bags of "Smooth Red" if anyone is interested in trying that out. Very smooth and color is similar to speckled buff, without the speckles. Redstone is also back in stock.
Please continue to have your special orders on the order sheet by the end of each week for Becki to send in to our suppliers. The order sheet is located on the pegboard by the Glaze room door.
Have a safe and enjoyable Christmas and a wonderful New Year everyone.
GLAZE ROOM
Jim Donaldson, Glaze Director
REMINDERS
XAVIER GREEN CHALLENGE
The Xavier Green Challenge is fast approaching, and the pottery world is eagerly awaiting your creation! Check out the notice in this newsletter, on the studio bulletin board, or ask a Glaze Team member for details.
GLAZE ROOM FEEDBACK
Have comments, concerns, or suggestions for the Glaze Room? Let us know!
Request Form: Blank forms are located on top of the refrigerator. Once completed, post it somewhere we’ll see it.
Email Option: Send your feedback to GlazeLead@GrandClayArts.com‬
GLAZE ROOM PRACTICES
To maintain consistent performance, we manage glazes carefully. Follow these tips for the best results on your work:
Stir Thoroughly: Stir glazes 100 strokes, ensuring you scrape the bottom and sides.
Use Gumsol: Find the Gumsol solution bottle on the shelf. It improves brushability and slows drying when brushing on.
Test First: Use a test tile if you're unsure.
Take a Class: Consider enrolling in a glazing class to refine your skills.
HOUSE RULES
Club glazes are for use at the club only.
GLAZE UPDATES
For information on new or discontinued glazes, refer to the November newsletter. Have suggestions? See the feedback options above.
SHARE YOUR GLAZE COMBOS
Have a favorite glaze combination? Share it with us! Send a picture and your recipe.
THIS MONTH'S EXAMPLE
Cinnabar (dipped) + Xavier Green (rim dip, then splash). On Speckled Buff.
MORE GLAZE ROOM REMINDERS
Cindy Swintek
Make sure to wipe down all bisqueware with a damp sponge before dipping into glaze. If pieces are not wiped throughly they can have dust and small bits that will contaminate the entire bucket of glaze.
No greenware in the buckets ever. Even if you underglaze your greenware you can not glaze it until it is fired.
Continue to wipe down buckets after stirring and clean the counters. The glaze team will thank you.
PLASTER MOLD REMINDER
Do not use pin tools or horseshoes to cut your clay on the molds. Use a wooden stick or your rib tool.
SUNSHINE
Sharon Rothzeid
Jason Topel, one of Jan Krueger’s sons sent this message:
As you are likely aware, Jan has been a member of your club and still hopes to re-engage in the future - both Clay Arts and Theatre being amongst her passions.
Recently, conditions brought her move to Grandview Terrace’s Health & Rehab Center (14505 W Granite Valley Dr, Sun City, AZ 85375). She has been making progress and we all hope that she will be able to move back to the Colonnade - she has been planning her escape in detail! Jan is a very social person and, especially since we all live out of state, we are hoping that we can encourage those she has known to reach out to her - whether phone conversations or personal visits. Thank you for anything you might do, and for being special friends in mom’s Arizona family!
Here's her contact info:
Jan Krueger -
Room 314A @ Grandview Terrace Health & Rehabilitation - 14505 W Granite Valley Dr, Sun City, AZ 85375
Grandview Terrace main number: (623)975-8100
Jan’s Cell Phone: (623)262-2228
PLATES OF PLENTY
Laura Abraham
Our recent Plates of Plenty event was amazing! We raised $1,405.00 for the Valley View Community Food Bank! I’m sure GCA’s donation will be especially appreciated with the upcoming holidays just a few weeks away.
A huge thanks to all who participated, including:
The talented GCA members who donated a piece (or two or three) of pottery
The energetic volunteers who worked the tables at Fall Fest
The tireless individuals who priced, packed and unpacked the pottery before and after the event
All those involved in the summer POP Pizza Party (especially the coordinators, Trish McGinniss and Diane Palley)
We sold over half of our inventory that day, so we are looking for more donations prior to the Spring Faire!
ALTERNATIVE FIRING
Diane Niehof
Richard Dye, one of the original members of our club, is enjoying his status as Hot Stuff during our recent Naked Raku firing. Georgene is encouraging him.
