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SWELL Sculpture Festival success | Christmas exhibition | What’s new in the gallery | upcoming workshops
OCTOBER E-NEWS
October e-news
Tag: workshops
PJ Pottery September news
It has been a busy month! We visited Stanthorpe to see the Stanthorpe Art Prize and of course – while in wine country – visited some wineries. My entry didn’t win a prize but it did sell on opening night, so I’m a happy chap.
I am now stocking keep cups at Kookaburra Hollow as well as a range of other ceramics, it is a lovely retail outlet within Willow and Safe cafe. It has a great vibe, check it out if you are on Tamborine Mountain.
New Steampunk babies
I enjoyed making these new teapots because I had designed them a while ago but have been occupied with finishing commissions. These hand detailed pieces take time and patience, as much as I’d love to put them all together in one go, I have to wait until the different components have firmed up enough to handle and join without damage. I’m not good at being patient, so I feel pretty good! Both are now listed in my SHOP
2024 Sydney Teapot Show
I’m really excited about this year’s Sydney Teapot Show because I get to attend the opening. As luck would have it, I’ll be in Sydney to go to a wedding – woohoo!! I have two entries in this year that I’m very proud of, what do you think? Jacques (in the box) will be in the Toy Story category. Yes, he does have a wobbly head, and Flo will be in the Natural World category. I can’t wait to see all the entries IRL.
Artisan Fayre
No rest for the wicked they say, nor for potters either, apparently. I have been busy creating some new pieces just for this year’s Artisan Fayre. This home grown annual event is a highlight for lovers of arts and crafts and a brilliant opportunity for local artisans like me, to showcase our wares.
Making blingy things is my happy place. These new creations are an extension of my blingy beakers for the coffee/tea brew at home. Now you can get your favourite take away in these adorable keep cups. Hand thrown hire fired stoneware, decorated with a range of designs and gold lustre applied in a third firing. They will debut at the Fayre on Sunday 17 November at the Tamborine Mountain Showgrounds 9am to 3pm.
PLUS
Don’t forget to book in for this fun little taster workshop at the Artisan Fayre
Thanks for staying with me and reading PJ Pottery September news!
PJ Pottery August news
PJ Pottery August news
Upcoming exhibitions
I am very lucky to be able to make a living from ceramics. I usually divide my time between creating and teaching (and doing marketing and admin urgh!) Part of my practice is to challenge myself and get out of my comfort zone by entering competitions and I’m happy to announce that I have pieces in three such exhibitions.
I have a quirky sculptural teapot in the Scenic Rim Small Sculpture Prize open now until 1st September.
One of my signature Steampunk teapots is a finalist in the Stanthorpe Art Prize Opening 6th September until 10th November with $50,000 in prize money.
One of my wilder Steampunk creations, Mental Notes, has also been selected as a finalist in the biennial North Queensland Ceramic Awards. This Ceramic Award displays the diversity of ceramic art currently being produced in Australia. The competition offers a major acquisitive prize of $10,000. Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville from 18 October 2024 – 16 February 2025.
The annual Elemental Exhibition presented by Ceramic Arts Queensland is a must-see for lovers of ceramics. Each year CAQ members display and sell their ceramics. It is diverse, innovative and affordable. As a member, I will have a few of my Steampunk teapots in the exhibition and will be there if you want to come say hello and talk clay!
Brisbane Institute of Art 41 Grafton St, Windsor – Opening 6pm 30 August
New Stockist
There will soon be a new outlet for PJ Pottery homeware at Kookaburra Hollow, 8 Siganto St Tamborine Mountain within the Willow and Grace Café. Get a coffee and a bite to eat and enjoy the talents of local artisans.
PJ Pottery at Artisan Fayre
One for your diaries is the Artisan Fayre 17th November at the Tamborine Mountain Showgrounds. Look out for PJ Pottery stall there, we’ll have new yummies and some return favourites like keep cups and sweet little porcelain earrings. Plus a few surprises!
AND SUPER NEWS! I will be offering a rolling workshop all day so if you are busting to have a go at creating with clay. You can make a set of 2 beakers or mugs or wee planters – get as creative as you like! I will have stamps, textures and ceramic paints to play with. You will make them on the day of the Fayre and I will take them back to the studio, glaze and fire them for you to collect in 4-6 weeks (or I can post them) then use and cherish for years to come. For more info click link below:
Thanks for staying with me and reading PJ Pottery August news!
Cheers Nicci
PJ Pottery April news
Here’s a very short (slightly silly) video. The first in a series I’ve decided to make following the frequent question of: What is it used for? I make many products that do need explaining like herb strippers and vase frogs but sometimes it’s just a matter of demonstrating the various uses of a piece. If you enjoy learning more about my ceramic pieces, feel free to follow my Instagram page HERE this is where I will be posting the reels.
Open Studio + Arts Trail
Don’t forget, if you visit PJ Pottery, you will also be able to see Steve Morgan’s magical Metal Art – more info HERE
I’ve been joyfully creating new works for the Tamborine Mt Arts Trail next month so I’m thrilled to show you a sneak peak at my latest porcelain and gold lustre earrings. They will be launched at the open studio price of $30 a pair until Monday 13 May and if you can’t make it in person, email your favs and I’ll post them to you.
And of course there will also be fresh teapots- blingy beakers and bowls along with my Steampunk range that I’ve been adding to over the last few months. I must say, the gallery looks amaaazing! There are many works not listed on the website. Come and see -I’d love to get your feedback.
New Workshop Jimboomba
In addition to the hand building workshop – Create Your Own 4 piece Dinner Set – I’m offering on Mother’s Day at the PJ Pottery Studio. I am also offering a half-day workshop at The Grounded Village Studio on June 23rd
Make a Ceramic House Sign 3 hour workshop: $110 fee includes all you need to create your own personalised sign, plus refreshments, tea, coffee and nibbles throughout. Going to be loads of fun!
I am enjoying the last days of warmth before autumn takes hold here on Tamborine Mountain. The gardens are looking wonderful and if you visit during the Arts Trail, you are very welcome to stroll through them. So that’s about it for PJ Pottery April news. Thanks for your support and encouragement, hope we see many of you next month at PJ Pottery
Hand building pottery workshop
Here’s a chance to create your very own ceramic pieces at the PJ Pottery studio on Tamborine Mountain.
In this fun one day workshop with experienced potter and teacher, Nicci Parry Jones, you will make an assortment of hand built ceramics and learn different techniques of making with clay.
You will create pinch pots, a slab platter and a coil planter plus a few extra pieces if time permits. Your pieces will be glazed and fired for you and you can collect in 4-5 weeks or you can arrange postage. All inclusive fee of $165 (tuition, clay, equipment, glaze and firing)
Suitable for beginners, maximum of 6 participants
Check out other PJ Pottery workshops and classes here
Glazing amazing
Glazing workshop
At my recent glazing workshop at the PJ Pottery Studio, we had a heady day of learning. Talking about glaze ingredients and what purpose they have in a glaze. The attendees then went through the process of making a glaze and adding colourants in increments to create a line blend. Their pieces and the glaze tests will be fired and examined, we can’t wait to see the results. Oh, and there was homemade rhubarb tarts.
Glazing is a huge topic in pottery, there are literally infinite variations to experiment with. Changing the percentage of one ingredient can alter the look and feel. You can turn a matt into a glossy glaze; you can alter the opacity or colour. Many old school potters, (like me) make their own glazes from scratch so we can make adjustments to find that elusive perfect glaze.
There is now a large selection of ready-made glazes and easy brush-on glazes. These are handy because many of those new to pottery may have not had the opportunity of learning how to make their own glazes through the TAFE system or through higher learning. I was pleased to offer this glazing workshop to enable emerging potters to develop this important skill.
Check out this super website with loads of glaze recipes glazy.org
Pottery Road Open Studio Trail
Who doesn’t love a road trip?
Particularly one where you can take a look into an artists’ working studio. Under the brand-new banner Pottery Road, five local Tamborine Mountain and valley potters are joining forces to launch an open studio trail to coincide with the Australian Ceramics Open Studio event on Saturday & Sunday 12th & 13th of November 10am-4pm daily.
Nicci Parry-Jones PJ Pottery; Larissa Warren Ratbag Studios: Julia Bramich Julia Bramich Ceramics; Jo Mackenzie Jo Mackenzie Ceramics and Claudia De Salvo Claudia De Salvo Makes will be selling their ceramics and some will offer workshops from their studios over the weekend. Larissa, Jo and Nicci will be in Tamborine Mountain studios, Claudia in Guanaba and Julia in Wonglepong. You can also catch an amazing exhibition of new works by Julie Shepherd at Under The Greenwood Tree on the same weekend
These potters are passionate about their craft and would love to share some insights into how they create. Each has a unique style, utilising different techniques to produce their ceramics from delicate jewellery, one-of-a-kind porcelain pieces, quirky teapots and functional dinnerware and homeware.
Follow the Pottery Road Facebook page to find more, details of studio specials and demonstrations and workshops on offer. PJ Pottery will be offering a fun 1 hour workshop – Make Your Own Platter Set
Visitors to the studios will see where the magic happens! This is the perfect time to stock up on gorgeous handmade Christmas presents. And as a special incentive, those who call into the studios over the weekend can go into the draw for beautiful ceramic package give-away from each of the studios. If you visit all five potters, you have five chances of winning!
Book in that road trip with your pottery-loving mates now!
flyer image photo by Sabine Bannard
2 Day Teapot Making Demo
Teapot Making Demo with PJ Pottery
I am honoured to have been invited to the annual Potters’ Convention with Wide Bay Burnett Potters Association later this month. If you are up that way and want to watch me demonstrate how to throw and construct teapots, you can book HERE
It is a 2 day conference with other tutors demonstrating; Gai and Cam McDonald and Lyndell Peterson, at the Maryborough Showground.
above-ground pit firing. smoke and magic
What an enjoyable winter morning at PJ Pottery! A group of my dedicated students had created pots for this pit firing and were rewarded with some fabulous results. We used a variety of combustible materials for colour and effects and now can’t wait to do another firing!
autumn and clay adventures
learning ceramics
There is a chill in the air here on Mt Tamborine signaling the approach of winter. So, out come the jumpers and socks but not much interferes with getting creative and we are getting ready for term 2 of classes at PJ Pottery. There is one space left in the 10 week intermediate class on Thursday nights for people with basic skills in hand building and throwing.
I am excited to announce my return to Gold Coast Potters offering a 5 week introductory course in hand building and throwing. Classes are on Wednesday mornings at Mudgeeraba.
art + music = adventure
The other exciting news is that Tamborine Mountain Arts Collective TMAC will be hosting an Artisan Alley at the Long Sunset Festival presented by QMF featuring Angus & Julia Stone. This “radiant new music event” is on 30 April at Elysian Fields, Canungra. PJ Pottery teapots will be included in the TMAC gallery space.
