The next general membership meeting of Grand Clay Arts will be held November 18, 2021, at 9:00 AM.  We welcome participants both in the studio and on Zoom.  Please join us!  You will find the link on the home page.

The pace of studio life is increasing!

Welcome back seasonal members and new members to the club!  It's great to see you all!

November Grand Lifestyles Magazine
This month, GCA is featured in a full-page ad!  Check it out on page 57.  Also included in the ad is our QR code.  Go ahead, take your phone camera, zero in on the QR code, and wow, instantly you have access to the Grand Clay Arts website!

The November ad, plus QR code, is reproduced in both a-frame market signs, and a pull-up banner that will appear at GCA events for the next several months.

November Market at Grand
Market at Grand (formerly Farmers Market) sales results is certainly noteworthy.  On Saturday, November 6, between the hours of 9am and 1pm, $2,550 was generated in sales.  Almost 20% ($450) of the total volume was driven by Gallery on-line and lobby sales.  That's 90 customers at an average of $28.50 per pottery sale for Saturday morning activity.  Also, 88 out of 90 customers were SCG residents.  Here's an interesting point:

• Overall Market at Grand average price:  $28.50
• Overall Gallery average price: $50.00

Market at Grand and GCA Gallery is a winning combination for our clay artists to connect with fellow Sun City Grand residents.

Introducing Square
Last week, the club introduced Square as a sales processing device for both lobby as well as Market at Grand events.  It appears the change from PayPal to Square significantly improves transaction time and ease of operation.  Please consider moving to Square, from cash and check, when purchasing supplies and tools.

Studio Workspace Reservation System Discontinued
An e-Blast went out last week that the studio workspace reservation system is discontinued.  The Board unanimously voted to end the system.  The reason is lack of use by the membership now that SCG C-19 community restrictions have been lifted.  SCG leadership continues to track C-19 trends.  Should the C-19 infection rate significantly increase, your GCA Board will revisit implementing the studio workspace reservation system for the protection of our membership.

Studio Mask Requirements
Last month, SCG Board sponsored a Survey Monkey vote of Charter Clubs and Interest Group members concerning mask wearing.  The question to individual club members was simply to wear a mask or not while engaged in indoor club activities.  The results for GCA:

• 60% No Masks
• 40% Yes Masks

Based on the vote, no masks are required in the club.  However, members deciding to wear masks within the studio are certainly encouraged to do so.

Looking forward to seeing you in the studio!

Jean is a 17-year member of the club and currently holds the position as Glaze Room Director, truly a challenging position on several levels, from mixing glazes to offering fellow members suggestions on exceptional color combinations.  These glaze suggestions often help fellow artists bring new dimensions to their clay art creations.

Jean is also a gifted clay artist and master at the potter's wheel.  Her work takes on unique dimensions that carry her personal signature of excellence.  To own a Jean Zeidler piece is very special.

However, the greatest gift Jean brings to the club is a readiness to help members improve their clay art skills.  Just ask, and Jean gives her time willingly to help fellow members.

On behalf of the Grand Clay Arts Club, thank you Jean!

Welcome our new "Co-" Zoom-meister - Bella Frederiksen!

Bella will be assisting with the online management of the Zoom option of our general membership meetings.  Thank you, Bella - great to have you with our team!

Website Updates
Studio Reservations:  As you have heard, the studio reservation system (aka This Week / Next Week) has been discontinued and removed from our website.  See the "Message from the President" for more details.

Log Service Hours Online:  Another recent eBlast highlights a feature we've added to assist folks who work for the Club remotely.  You can now enter your service hours online, from the homepage "Log Service Hours" link.

This is just an option for recording hours and doesn't replace "the box" in the studio.  You can use either method, but please do not double-record hours.  Both entry methods post your hours on the last day of the month you worked.

Note that there is no change to Monitors, Kiln and Glaze; you will still sign up and receive hours online, like always.

Membership Renewals
Renewal invoices for 2022 will be sent out on 12/14 and payment is due on 1/1/2022.  They will be sent by email or US mail for those with no email.  Use the link on the invoice to pay online with a credit card or bring the printed invoice and check/cash into the studio.

GCA Facebook Group
Our Facebook Group is up to 37 members.  It's great to read the comments and see works of our very talented clay artists!  We even have a couple of folks who are not GCA members, but residents of SCG who are intrigued by our work.  Click HERE to view or join.

New CAM Cards
Some of you may have encountered the new CAM cards, which do not have a magnetic strip.  These cards cannot be swiped to check in, so please type in the ID exactly as it is shown on the card.  Members who have a CAM ID change:  Be sure to log into the website and update your ID, via the "Change Contact/Profile Info" link.

The Gallery
Per a request from CAM, we need to capture resident info from our in-studio buyers.  There are two questions on the "Record a Check/Cash Gallery Sale" form:

1. Is the buyer a member of Sun City Grand?*
2. Buyer's CAM ID, if available:

        *  Please be sure to confirm this info with the buyer.  By "member of Sun City Grand," we ascertain if the buyer is currently living in SCG and has a CAM ID.  CAM would like to have us capture the CAM ID if the buyer will supply it.

If you have any questions about the Gallery or about submitting your works to the Gallery, let us know:  gallerymanager@grandclayarts.com.

Not receiving email from Grand Clay Arts?
Quick reminder...To ensure that you are receiving our GCA mass mailings, include this address in your Contacts or Address Book:  group messaging@memberleap.com
Also remember to update your profile if your email or other contact info changes.

             

Class Name	Class Dates	Time	Instructor
Mask Making	11/17, 19	3:00 – 6:00 PM	Diane Niehof
Flower Making Deux	11/18, 12/2	3:00 – 6:00 PM	Donna Repaty
Underglaze This!	11/22	3:00 – 6:00 PM	Mary King
Alternative Firing Saggar	11/20 Prep 11/21 Fire	3:00 – 5:00 PM 8:00 – 11:00 AM	Diane Niehof
Basic Clay	12/1, 7, 14	3:00 – 6:00 PM	Pat O’Brien
Ghost (Non-mbr event)	12/4	3:00 – 6:00 PM	Diane Niehof
Doctor is In 1208	12/8	3:00 – 6:00 PM	Diane Niehof
Wag Your Tail	12/9	3:00 – 6:00 PM	Lynne Shanrock
Doctor is In 1210	12/10	3:00 – 6:00 PM	Diane Niehof
Doctor is In 1215	12/15	3:00 – 6:00 PM	Diane Niehof
Underglaze This!	12/16	3:00 – 6:00 PM	Mary King
Would You Wear These?	1/7 and 1/14/22	3:00 – 6:00 PM	Pat O’Brien
Mudhead Luminaria	1/12/22	6:00 – 10:00 PM	Lynne Shanrock