Belltower Bugler - Volume 4
Glazing: A Tough Cookie
By request, we have added “The Basics of Glazing” class on Wednesday, June 15, 6pm-8pm. It is $35 and includes a month of premium glazes for members.
Click HERE to read about what we’ll cover and to register.
Please be sure to place a kiln cookie (on the metal shelf in the kiln room) under any new or untested glazes you use in the studio. Kiln shelves are expensive and take a lot of time and effort to grind when pieces get stuck to them. I don’t want anyone to feel guilty if you’ve done this… I know I have done it myself - I just want to give information so that we can avoid it in the future!
Glaze rings from pieces that stuck to the kiln shelf.
Kiln cookies (bisque fired discs for placing under pieces with untested glazes).
We have new 5 gallon buckets of clear and white glazes. They are the same formula, but seem to be working better than the older buckets. I still plan to add a new clear glaze as soon as I can test and put together the glaze.
As many of you have heard, Amaco is discontinuing many of their dipping glazes, including five we use in the studio: Iron Luster, Blue Midnight, Smokey Merlot, Albany Slip, and Ironstone. I am currently testing replacement glazes. I am also considering replacing Pebble Beach and Mottled Blue with more stable glazes. Members will vote on replacement glazes when testing is complete. I’ll let you know when I’m ready for your input!
Lima Bean, Mandarin Orange, Winter Day, and Beeswax are being discontinued in the studio. We still have some Winter Day and Beeswax left and you’re welcome to use them until they’re gone. Members who like those glazes can purchase smaller quantities online through MidSouth Ceramics.
Studio Care:
With the separation between production and member studios, I need your help to keep the studio clean! Here are a few things you can do to help:
1) When you are finished using workspaces, please use a damp sponge to wipe them, including the wedging table and hand-building tables.
2) Sweep up pieces after trimming or carving.
3) Wipe out sinks, rinse out sponges, and place clean buckets on the shelf. Please do not leave buckets in the sink.
4) If you spill a lot of clay, slip or glaze , please grab a mop and clean up your spot.
5) Please put glaze buckets back under the tables when finished glazing.
6) Put up tools, wires, clay bags, towels, buckets, etc. before you leave the studio. Remember the Boy Scout rule - leave it better than you found it!
Thank you so much for helping me keep our studio clean! I’m so glad to work alongside all of you in our clay studio. If you have suggestions about taking care of our studio, please let me know!
Member Meeting and Social Throw:
Our next meeting and social throw will be on Monday, May 23 from 6pm-9pm. Please bring a snack or drink to share. We had about 12+ people last time, had a lot of fun and learned a lot from each other. We’ll announce the member challenge at this meeting! Get ready! As always, we’ll have a giveaway for a free bag of clay or month of premium glazing.
Paint & Sip:
We’d love to have your help painting the studio walls and improving the bathrooms 10am, Saturday, May 21. Christopher has promised to buy lunch (BBQ anyone?) and we’ll have mimosas so we can combine work and brunch vibes! Hope you can make it! Please let me know if you plan to come and if you have any dietary requests (e.g. vegan options, etc.).
Upcoming Class Schedule
Monday, May 16, 6pm-8pm - Throwing Larger Pots on the Wheel with Will Lescheck:
Wednesday, May 18, 6pm-8pm - Surface Decoration with Jess Tinsley
Wednesday, June 15, 6pm-8pm - The Basics of Glazing with Jess Tinsley
Wednesday, June 22, 6pm-8pm - Surface Decoration with Jess Tinsley
NEW! Monday/Wednesday Month-Long Wheel-Throwing Classes with Georgia Peeler
Tuesday/Thursday Month-Long Wheel Throwing Classes with Will Lescheck:
NEW! Monday/Wednesday Youth Wheel-Throwing Classes for 6th-12th grade students taught by Georgia Peeler
NEW! Wednesday Youth Make-a-Mug one-time classes taught by Georgia Peeler
A Month of Free Membership?
Hello everyone! As I’m sure you’ve noticed, our team has recently added some serious capacity in the production space that has allowed for some exciting developments for our entire studio community. Our custom handmade mug production is something that we want to involve you in as this aspect of our business grows.
You now have the opportunity to refer people/businesses to our production team and get a free month of membership if they place an order!
We sell mugs to organizations for 3 primary uses - retail sale, gifting, and fundraising; this is to all kinds of shops, non-profits, schools, real estate agents, etc. If you are connected with a business that has a strong brand, they may want custom handmade mugs! I will happily make a free custom sample mug for anyone who reaches out to me about it - you can give them my email or the contact form on the website below where they can list you as a reference!
https://www.belltowerpottery.com/wholesale-pottery
Thanks, Micah DempseyCo-Founder of Belltower Coffee and Studio:
Kids Camp - Coming Soon!:
1) If you have kids or friends with kids, get them signed up soon for kids camp. The first week begins May 30 and we’re filling up quickly.
2) Please be aware that our studio will be full of 24 children from 9am-4pm, Monday-Friday May 30-June 3 and June 6-10. I recommend that you come in early or late on those days!
Questions or Comments: Contact me HERE!