Jan Marx For summertime our club is busy, busy, busy! Thursday morning June 8 Judie Smothers, president, greeted 33 members on the Courtyard Terrace for refreshments, social time and information. First and foremost we took time to say goodbye to Gary Triebsch who moved to California to be close to family. Gary, whose leadership and…
Jan Marx We use slabs of clay to build pieces. We use lumps of clay to “throw” pots on the wheel, and some of us form objects with our fingers. For many years Happy Potters avoided making pinch pots. They thought it would hurt the clay, but through research we found that “pinching” balls of…
Jan Marx Messes come in degrees of disorder. You “throw” a pot on the pottery wheel and produce a masterpiece. Finishing your creation you also see the mess of mud and water on the wheel, on your apron and on the floor. But you remind yourself the pot is a work of art. Cleaning up…
Jan Marx This fall potters enjoyed two classes with Southwestern vibes. First, Liz Katz taught the art of horse making. A sculptor/potter, Katz designed patterns for those wishing to explore other ways to use clay besides making pots. Many students commented on how much fun the project was. The results of their efforts showed in…
Jan Marx With a record breaking booth at the Robson Ranch Craft Fair behind us as well as a successful trip to the Texas Clay Festival, potters are finishing making Christmas and Hanukkah gifts. Pie dishes, casseroles, a peacock shaped fountain and mugs in various stages begin as a lump of clay, finishing as beautiful…
Jan Marx Welcome to our new president, Judie Smothers, and vice-president, Colleen Jordan! They join Nancy Lussier, secretary, and Gary Triebsch, treasurer, on the board. Also thanks to Dawn Schiegg who served as vice-president for two years and president for two, and to Shirley Waterhouse who was vice-president last year. Shirley is continuing as photographer.…
Jan Marx As always, welcoming new members to “play in the mud” is a pleasure. April’s class was no exception. Trinka Taylor, Charlie Cotner, Kathie Dial and Janet Bush participated in four days of orientation along with plenty of hands-on experience. Marilyn Zastrow was a tremendous help in guiding the group toward success. Now they…
Jan Marx Eager to get their hands dirty and make something beautiful, our seven new members are busy taking lumps of clay and changing them into unique forms. Enthusiasm for pottery has blossomed throughout the club thanks to several established craft men/women. Carolyn and Wayne Detjen, Judie Smothers, Jo Hanes, Liz Katz, Mary Joe Manchester,…
Jan Marx When someone took the gift Erna had chosen, she eyed the cross Pat Sabo made in pottery. Instead of taking it, however, she picked another gift bag. A Happy Potters member “stole” it. Now it was time for Erna to choose again. She took the cross, apologized to its temporary owner, and walked…
Jan Marx What makes a successful Craft Bazaar? What makes a dynamic club? Pat Bender didn’t attend the Craft Bazaar last year, but this year she had a vision for success. Working with members of Happy Potters, including Marilyn Zastrow who consulted on glazes, Pat developed a plan. Potters took on the project for at…