Karen Ellsworth Even though our 2020 year looked a little different from previous years, we managed to adjust, adapt, and, most of all, create! Our kilns were running full time, new members joined and learned the joy of playing in the clay. We also learned several new glazing techniques and new ways of hand building.…
Tag: Happy Potters Club
Clubs & Classes, January 2020
Artisan Focus – Judie Smothers
Rick Harwell The Happy Potters Club has members at all skill levels. There are new members like me who are just learning the basics. There are those who are more accomplished and are learning advanced techniques. We also have a group of artisans that not only excel at their craft but share their skills through…
Clubs & Classes, August 2019
What’s up in pottery
Carolyn Detjen There is never a dull moment in the Happy Potters Club. These are called “the dog days of summer,” and some of our potters are on vacation doing family travels or cruising, but not all of us. We just recently did a short visit to watercolor painting on clay bisque. This was written…
Clubs & Classes, June 2019
Potters in the spotlight window
Carolyn Detjen Judy Smothers is an artist who has been gifted with incredible abilities, causing some of the materials used in art such as paint, metal and clay to bow to her command. She has patience with her students and a gentle smile that catches hold on you to soften your angst, allowing you to…
Clubs & Classes, May 2019
Happy Potters rocking in Raku
Carolyn Detjen Because fire in a trashcan is involved in the Raku process, we are traveling down the road a piece to Farmers Branch, Texas where Connor Muldoon, established professional potter and instructor, will guide us along the way to success. The word Raku means “happiness in the accident”. This technique was originally created for…
Clubs & Classes, April 2019
Introduction to pottery
Carolyn Detjen Three times a year, beginner’s classes are given in the Happy Potters Club, enabling those unfamiliar with clay to enjoy as we describe it, “learning how to play in the mud”. Pinch pots are the first step in the adventure. Our little one-pound bowl becomes the stepping stone toward uncovered hidden abilities. It…
Clubs and Classes, February 2019
Happy Potters competition
Carolyn Detjen Jan Marx, education director and a teacher in the Happy Potters Club is once again stirring up the creativity genes of our members and causing questions to be asked. She is giving demos guiding the members to understand a portion of the artwork of the Southwest Pueblo natives. To make it more interesting…
Clubs & Classes, October 2018
Show and tell with Happy Potters
Carolyn Detjen There are few secrets about clay use in the Happy Potters Club. Whether you throw or handbuild, it is a good thing when you reach out to guide and share methods with your fellow potters. On Monday, September 10 eighteen of us gathered around with one of our pots to show it off…
Clubs & Classes, July 2018
Farewell and welcome
Carolyn Detjen June 14 brought The Happy Potters Club together for the changing of the guard. We gave a round of applause to our President Judie Smothers, Vice President Colleen Jordan, Secretary Nancy Lussier and Treasurer Sandy Holt. Tender thanks and heartfelt recognition went forth to each of the potter/officers that carefully led us through…
Clubs & Classes, June 2018
Happy Potters Club “One dip or Two?”
Carolyn Detjen Happy Potters are not referring to ice cream cones! No! DIPPING was the workshop given in early May by our very own Jo Ann Hanes. Jo Ann had been a professional potter for more than fifteen years before moving to Robson Ranch, but it was in the early 1960s that she discovered her…