Belltower News - Volume 1
Studio News:
Exciting changes are coming to Belltower Coffeehouse and Studio! Due to the increasing demand for Belltower mugs, we are expanding to include a separate space for our production potters to work on Belltower products. Because our production potters will be working in a separate, private space, it will provide extra room in our member studio for expanded classes and exciting improvements. We expect the production potters to move to the new space around May or June 2022.
Please also be sure to read through to the end of this newsletter for new and updated info about what’s happening in the studio.
Important Info:
To purchase clay, please contact Jess Tinsley, our new Membership Coordinator, as she will be solely responsible for clay purchases. Please be sure to let Jess know in advance or during her working hours (listed below) and she will charge you and put clay on your shelf. You can contact Jess by text at 865 363 6426 or by email at jess@belltowercoffeeandstudio.com
Meet Jess Tinsley, Our Membership Coordinator
To maintain the studio and to offer more opportunities for our pottery studio members, we are happy to announce that Jess Tinsley will be gradually assuming the role of Membership Coordinator. She will be your point of contact regarding anything membership related - invoicing, membership levels, etc. She is happy to help you get clay and supplies, answer your questions about kiln firings, glazes, schedules, classes, and help in any other way.
Artist Statement: “Jess Tinsley, a native of Memphis, is a multidisciplinary artist, focusing primarily on painting and ceramics. Filled with visual movement and fluidity, Jess’ artwork expresses hope for something better. It invites the viewer to think about living in the tension of a world bound by the things we can touch and see but inspired and changed by the things we cannot see. Jess has five children and incorporates five lines into much of her work."
You will also receive a bi-monthly newsletter from Belltower communicating news, class information, updates, and the hours Jess will be available each week.
Contact Info for Jess:
jess@belltowercoffeeandstudio
Cell Phone (please text): 865-363-6426.
Jess will be regularly available in the studio: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 10am-3pm or 4pm.
She will also be available some evenings and weekends - to be determined.
Upcoming Classes & Events:
Intro to the Wheel:
One session class: Every Saturday: February 5, 12, 19, 26. 3:30pm & 6:30PM
Mug Making (for beginners):
Every Friday, 6:30pm
Month-Long Class (for beginners):
February Classes - Sold Out
March Classes - Sold Out
April Classes - Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6-9pm
For Members Only:
Classes coming soon!
Register online Click HERE.
Raku Firing with Will:
Last Sunday of the month. $10/piece. Sign up in kiln room.
Coming Soon!
Handbuilding and members only (intermediate and advanced) classes!
Water Situation/Bucket System:
Due to the plumbing problems in the studio, we’ve moved to a bucket system for handling water and reclaim. We’re hoping that this will eliminate the drain clogs and the clay sediment in the pipes. Here’s the process for handling it the new way:
1) Double check your bucket for tools
2) Please put clay clumps in the reclaim buckets on the floor in front of the sink.
3) Dump top layer of dirty water into the sink.
4) Rinse sediment out of your bucket in the first bucket, second rinse in the back bucket
5) Only dirty water (no clay or grit) down the sink drain, please.
Pottery Signature:
If you change your signature, please be sure to let Jess know so we know where to put your pieces when we unload the kiln. You can email, text, or tell Jess in person. Thanks so much!
Raku Firings:
Will Lescheck will be offering Raku firings on the last Sunday of every month. Each piece will cost $10 to fire and will need to already be bisque fired. A sign up sheet will be in the kiln room. Please be sure to sign up early if you would like to get a spot.
Lost & Found:
Lost and found ceramic items are unidentified pieces that have usually been bisque fired or glaze fired and do not have a distinguishable member signature on them. Please check the lost and found shelf in the kiln room on a regular basis to make sure none of your work goes missing! If not picked up, pieces may be disposed of within a month.
Drying Cabinets:
Please be sure not to leave your pieces in the drying cabinets for more than a week. When you place your work in the cabinets, please include a note with your name or signature and the date. Thanks so much!
Danger!:
Sharp tools that get dumped into reclaim clay buckets can cause serious injuries when our potters stick their hands in the clay to move and wedge it. This can prevent them from working with their hands - and doing their jobs. Please be SUPER careful to remove your tools before emptying your buckets. Thank you so much!