Georgies E-Mail News: 17 August 2009

After the super-hot days of just a couple weeks ago, we're seeing signs all over of the season's turn toward the fall. The nights are coole, and kids from kindergarten to college are thinking about the new school year. It's coming up fast! It's that time for our classroom at Georgies, too. Our first fall session of pottery classes starts on August 31st. Come join us to create: we have room for you in many of our classes. Signing up is as easy as a phone call: call us at 503.283.1353 or 800.999.CLAY.

(Available seat counts are current as of 10:00am on August 20th, and will change as classes fill up.)
SEL105, the Handbuilding class on Monday nights, will not meet on Labor Day, September 7th.

We created our unique series of Monday clay classes to answer the basic questions that almost all teachers ask when asking questions of their own, like "Yikes, clay! My students love it, but what do I do with it?" Needless to say, the series has grown over the years to include more and more basic skills. Each class in the series builds on previously acquired skills. If you're a teacher, a classroom assistant, or a parent volunteer helper, these classes are for you.

We have only two requirements for these classes: first, please take them in order, 1-2-3. Second, no more than three people from any one school can attend at any one time. Our teaching time and space are limited, and we'd like to accomodate as many schools as possible in each session. We supply all the equipment, materials and supplies you'll need for the day, and lunch is on us for your class day. To sign up for teachers' classes in our Eugene store, call our Eugene store direct at 541.338.7654 or 866.234.CLAY.

Because of the limited teaching time and space, we're sorry to say that this year we can't include teachers, assistants and helpers from pre-K or home schools in the free class program. For pre-K or home school teachers, assistants and helpers who would like to attend these classes, there will be a tuition and materials charge of $100 per person per class.

Save on Skutt Kilns & Wheels: Sale Ends August 31st
Until August 31st, we're offering Skutt kilns and potters' wheels at a special discount: 20% OFF from Skutt's suggested retail prices. This sale applies to ALL NEW SKUTT kilns and wheels, including ultra-reliable Skutt KilnMaster computerized kilns and Skutt potters' wheels by Thomas Stuart.

(On Sale in September: NorthStar Slab Rollers and Extruders)

New from Kemper: Mini Sculpting Tools

If you do finely detailed sculpture or design surface work, these new tools from Kemper may be just what you've been looking for!

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(MS11: No image available yet from Kemper.)

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Now Showing in Our Gallery: Ginger Steele

Stoneware clay is formed at the wheel, or built into form by hand, and then stamped, incised and bisque-fired. Then each piece is decorated with slips and lined with glaze. The firing brings additional possibilities for the surface. The unpredictable collaboration of salt vapor and kiln position make every pot unique and reveal extraordinary possibilities for color and imagery.

Drawing on vessel forms of many cultures and epochs, from traditional English country pottery to historic Chinese bronzes and American pewter ware, Ginger Steele seeks to create beautiful and useful pots to submit to the searing heat and defining atmosphere of the salt kiln. These are pots for daily use: pots for preparing and serving food and drink, created for the comfortable rituals of daily life.

Ginger Steele is a self-taught potter and crafter who considers herself to be a part of the American folk art tradition. She also owns and operates New Leaf Greenhouse, Inc., located in Cornelius (OR), which produces annual and perennial flowers for the wholesale market and an on-site garden center. You can see more of Ginger's work in our gallery or at her website, www.insomniapottery.com.