Getting in Shape to Blog

Actually, the below post was submitted by Kathleen King during our "intro. to blogging" session at last night's monthly SMCG meeting. Thank you, Cathie Cantara, for helping us all get over our fears and ignorance about getting into the blogosphere. I'm sure there will be many posts to come, and more member blogs to link to. The next Southern Maine Clay Guild meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 3rd, 6 p.m., at Pasture's Edge Studio, 296 Middle Rd., Lyman. The tentative focus of this meeting will be pricing. We will also discuss spring and summer activities. Another upcoming event to mark on your calendars is our first pitfiring/raku firing of this year, on May 21st (rain date May 22nd). This will also be held at Pasture's Edge Studio, at the above address. For more information call Cathy at 985-7986.

Our SMCG meeting this evening was to learn how to blog. How are we doing?

Great Job on this Blog. The Clay Show Looks Great Too!

This blog is a great idea.  I want to hear about the results on the F4 substitute.  I use F4 in a lot of my glazes.   I will also try to find out some info from my NHIA teacher.
Does anyone want to share their favorite SHINO cone 10 recipes??  There are so many out there,  I don't know which one to test next.  My Malcolm Davis has way too much crawling.....
I'm looking for a more stable reliable one.

I can't wait until it warms up and we have our next pit firing.  I'm going to start making a few pieces soon.

good heavens, this is great

Now this is ex citing. You are definitely a master. Portland Pottery has changed their F4 ingredient, which is no longer available, to minspar. One of my glazes, which has been as solid as a rock, in now runny, and I have another which is blistering. I'm working with Karen to see if ingredient additions can be made to improve the glaze. Let you know. aj

SMCG Featured at the Saco Train Station

SMCG member's work is currently on display in the Maine Craft Association's Museum Case at the Saco Transportation Center. The exhibit will run through the month of March to coincide with the annual YAA Clay Guild Show.

About the Saco Transportation Center

The station building opened in 2009 and is the first "Green" train station in the U.S. It features a wind turbine for electricity, geothermal heating and cooling systems, and a roof made from recycled soda bottles......how cool is that!
Click below to see a pics of the exhibit & the station.

Southern Maine Clay Guild 3rd Annual Winter Clay Show

The Southern Maine Clay Guild announces its 3rd Annual Winter Clay Show and
 Sale, March 3 –March 27. at the York Art Association, 394 York Street (Route
 1A), York, ME 03909, 207-363-4049. Gallery hours are Thursday, Friday,
 Saturday & Sundays from 10-4PM
 The public is invited to attend a Wine and Cheese
  Opening Reception Friday March 4th from 5-7PM.

 Hundreds of unique pottery pieces both decorative and functional will be
 exhibited by SMCG featured artists
  Al Pelletier, Clare Rogers, Mary Ann Flemming, Cathie Cantara,
  Kathleen King, Jill Burke, Sue Berman, Mary Sweeney,  Diane Aramando
  Amy Clark, Elaine X. Fuller, Robin Roaf.
 This year there will be a "table -scape" display during the show.  This will
 feature dinnerware, bowls, goblets, serving pieces, and candlesticks from
 the various potters.

 During the exhibit there will be a community event hosted by the Southern
 Maine Potter’s Guild members, Empty Bowls that will take place March 25th,
 5-7pm
 The Empty Bowls mission is to raise money to help organizations fight
 hunger, to raise awareness about the issues of hunger and food security, and
 to help bring about an attitude that will not allow hunger to exist.
 “From its humble beginnings as a meal for the staff of one high school,
 Empty Bowls has spread across the United States and beyond and has raised
 tens of millions of dollars for anti-hunger organizations.”
 Over 200 bowls have been handcrafted and donated by SMCG and York High
 School students for the “Empty Bowls” event. Most bowls will be on display
 from the opening day and can be purchased in advance of the soup supper.
 The SMCG artist will collaborate with York High School students and local
 restaurants.  The public is invited to sample delicious soups and breads
 from many favorite restaurants in our community.  The bowls are to be taken
 home as a reminder that someone’s bowl is always empty.    Proceeds from
 donations ($15 minimum per bowl, $10 Kids’ bowl) will benefit the York Food
 Pantry.
  For more information contact Mary Sweeney at 207-363-6937.or e-mail:
 msweeney5@mac.com

Thank you Cathie!

Thanks, Cathie, for starting this guild blog! As a group, we look forward to our display in the Saco Train Station display case during the month of March; this year's annual Clay Guild show at the York Art Association, opening Friday, March 4th; and a special Empty Bowls event to be held at York Art Association on Friday, March 25th. Stay tuned-in for more information!

Cathy

SMCG

Cathy Hammond giving a throwing demo

Welcome to Southern Maine Clay Guild's official Blog! We hope this blog helps keep our members connected with each other and encourages new people to join our group.

Southern Maine Clay Guild  was formed in 2005 out of a desire among southern Maine potters to foster increased interaction and support for each other and the medium.

Members range from beginner to professional, and all are welcome to attend the monthly meetings, which are held on the first Tuesday of each month at various members' studios.

The group's focus is to  expand and promote opportunities in clay techniques, glaze chemistry and varying methods of firing.