Clay Club

March 2010

Despite the snow, seven of us met for clay club on March 1. We began with talk about the movies shown at the annual meeting, particularly the work of Karen Karnes, and the technique of using a heat source while throwing, as shown in the "Hot Damn" movie. We continued our discussion about up-coming museum shows at the Fuller Craft, Duxbury Art Complex and deCordova. We talked about various ways of selling work, e.g. on consignment, wholesale, and specific craft shows. In our discussion about working with clay while trying to pay the bills, we realized that health insurance is the most difficult bill to pay. This lead to addressing health concerns which we will continue to discuss on April 5th, along with how to make our studios safer. Join us from ten to noon at Cotuit Center for the Arts, 4404 Rte 28, Cotuit.

February 2010

New people have continued to come to the Clay Club, which met on February 1. We postponed further talk about credit cards until the next meeting, which is scheduled for March 1, ten to noon, at Cotuit Center for the Arts, 4404 Rte 28, Cotuit. Discussion this month revolved around a number of different topics, ranging from the programs at Snow Farm in Western Mass and Center for the Arts at Castle Hill in Truro, to shows at Fuller Craft Museum. Some folks brought pots to discuss, which led to further talk about how we sign our work, and glaze stability, safety and color. Next time we'll address how we balance a life in clay while trying to pay the bills. As always, all are welcome to join us.

January 2010

Clay Club met on January 4. After a brief discussion about where folks find glazing containers, we talked about using the Internet for marketing, sales, education, and accessing others' work. We talked about helpful sites for rating and applying to shows, and for buying supplies. We touched upon how to mail work to buyers and whether to accept credit cards. The next meeting will be on February 1, from ten to noon, at Cotuit Center for the Arts, 4404 Route 28, Cotuit. We will continue our discussion about credit cards. Bring a pot to discuss--your own or someone else's (and of course, goodies are always appreciated!). Please consider joining us.

December 2009

The second meeting of the Cape Cod Clay Club took place on December 7. The focus this month was on suppliers, where we buy equipment, both large and small. We also discussed how we price our work, and how we access our Google group (the password is CCCC2009). Some of us went to the awesome Warren MacKenzie show at the Fuller Craft Museum, and urged everyone to go. We talked about another outing to Boston galleries. The next meeting will be January 4, 2010, 10-noon, at Cotuit Center for the Arts, 4404 Rte 28, Cotuit. We have an ongoing discussion about changing our meeting time and/or place, hoping more folks would be able to join us. If anyone has thoughts about this please let us know. Our next topic for discussion will be using the Web and blogs as sources of information, education, marketing and networking. All are invited to attend. (There may even be goodies and coffee).

November 2009 - First meeting

The Cape Cod Clay Club had its first meeting on Monday, November 2 at Cotuit Center for the Arts. Seven of us got together and discussed our expectations for the group. Most of us feel isolated working alone and look forward to the group providing feedback and support. We hope to plan visits to museums, galleries and other studios. We talked of meeting occasionally in the evening at other venues to accommodate folks who work on Monday mornings. Denny has set up a Google Group to help with communication. The Clay Club will be open to all interested potters at any time. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 7, 10-noon at Cotuit Center for the Arts, 4404 Route 28, Cotuit. We plan to discuss where potters get their supplies, materials, tools, etc. A voluntary $2 donation will be collected to go towards the rental of our space. Bring your own coffee, tea, and ideas, and please join us.