May '24 Newsletter
Published by Elise on May 9th 2024
Happy May, ceramic savants!
We’ve made it through the last bit of winter and are finally approaching warmer temperatures. If your studio relies on the good graces of the seasons, give a little cheer with us—’tis the season to create wherever you desire! Stone Leaf’s here to take care of all your pottery needs, so swing by as you prepare for markets, festivals and other sales.
There are a dozen events to get excited about, but here are a few in particular:
The Spring 2024 Pottery Sale by the Colorado Potters Guild will be occurring May 2nd, 3rd, and 4th! Experienced potters will present more than 2,000 items including pottery, sculpture and jewelry for purchase and enjoyment. With a regular rotation, each day will bring something new. Kick off this month by showing some pottery love for your fellow artists!
Speaking of things to look forward to: Stone Leaf will soon have the new glazes you’ve only heard about from your friends who went to NCECA. Curious about Mayco’s sampler, or Spectrum’s new array of stoneware pints? Keep an eye out for new appearances on Stone Leaf’s shelves!
Stone Leaf turns 25 this year and we’ll be celebrating with an Open House June 22 from 9 am to 3 pm. We’ll have staff from Amaco, Cone Art Kilns, Mayco, Skutt Kilns plus freebies, give aways, and super sales! To end the Open House weekend, Michael Leonard, the GM of ConeArt Kilns will be doing a kiln workshop on Sunday, June 23. More details about the Open House and Kiln Workshop coming soon.
Have a question about a pottery issue or general ceramic practices? Shoot your inquiry to info@stoneleafpottery.com! Our staff is experienced in a variety of areas and are happy to provide as much information as we can. Whether it’s mid-fire glazes or raw materials, we’re here to help!
Lastly, we have a few upcoming dates for shorter days and store closures to be aware of:
Saturday, May 25 we will be open from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm for Memorial Day weekend
Thursday, July 4 we will be closed for the day
For May, Ingrid’s all about testing! Here are her expanded thoughts on testing:
“Always Test. If you are a potter, you can never get away from testing.
You like a particular clay body. You see a glaze on your friend’s pot, that glaze is exciting. Never assume what works for one potter will work for all potters. Never assume all potters test thoroughly; their recommendations should be tested.
So many variables mean success or lack of success. Did you select a clay that claims it can be used from cone 06 to cone 10? By definition, earthenware clays never vitrify. Sure, they can be used, but will not be watertight unless completely enveloped in a glaze that produces a watertight bond with that specific clay in the firing conditions used.
A mid-fire or high-fire clay may be watertight in some, but not all situations. Make a test pot, glaze-fire it, then test it to find out if it is water tight. If it’s not watertight, could that change if the glaze is applied thinner or thicker? If the firing is slower, the cooling is slower, or the piece is fired slightly hotter? Some clay and glaze combinations just won’t work at all to produce a watertight pot.
If a clay or glaze formula is altered because an ingredient isn’t available, it may alter the fit of the clay and glaze. Then it’s time to retest.
I understand, you would like it to be as reliable for you as a commercial cake mix you buy at a grocery store. The companies that produce those cake mixes test relentlessly. If you are producing pottery on your own, the testing is your responsibility.
Happy firing!”
~ Ingrid King
CLAYS OF THE MONTH
Sculpt, mold, and create without the need for a kiln! Perfect for school projects, arts and crafts, and hobbyists, this versatile clay air-dries to a leather-hard finish in just 24 hours, allowing you to unleash your creativity without waiting.
Suitable for throwing, coiling, and sculpting, Mexo Red is a must-have for large groups and projects.
Seal with a water sealant for a waterproof finish and decorate with acrylic paints for endless possibilities!
NOTE: this clay is NOT dinnerware safe clay
WC396 Laguna LB6 Mid-fire Stoneware:
Elevate your pottery game with Laguna's LB6 stoneware clay! This mid-fire clay, featuring a fine 60 mesh sand, is perfect for wheel-throwing, hand-building, and sculpting.
With minimal shrinkage and excellent workability, LB6 is a favorite among ceramic artists. Create functional ware and decorative pieces with confidence, knowing that LB6 will bring your vision to life beautifully!
Here’s an example of LB6 from Instagram!
TOOL OF THE MONTH
TOOL OF THE MONTH
10% off
Get groovy with Dirty Girls' premium pottery trimming tools! Featuring the rebranded Groovy Tools with the iconic Dirty Girls logo, these tools are a must-have for every ceramic artist. Crafted with precision, Groovy trimming tools boast a true tool steel loop that is hardened and tempered to create a super steel blade. Sharpened on both edges for extended longevity, these tools ensure smooth and precise trimming every time.
Here’s a YouTube short showing them in action!
The 200 SERIES feature a true tool steel loop that is hardened & tempered to create a super steel blade. The 300 SERIES feature a MEDIUM GAUGE true tool steel loop that is hardened & tempered to create a super steel blade.
Both series feature ¼” wide loops, sharp on both edges. The tools can be re-sharpened for extra long life.
Experience ultimate comfort with acetate handles that feature closed cell foam grips, allowing you to trim for hours without fatigue.
Upgrade your pottery toolkit today →
Glaze of the Month:
METALLIC GLAZES
10% off
Shine bright with our dazzling selection of metallic glazes from top brands like Amaco, Mayco, Spectrum, Laguna, and Coyote! This May, embrace the brilliance of golds, bronzes, coppers, and more as you add a touch of glamor to your pottery pieces. From shimmering golds to rich bronzes and radiant coppers, our metallic glazes offer endless possibilities for creative expression. Whether you're looking to create a stunning centerpiece or add accents to your pottery projects, Metallics in May has got you covered!
Transform your pottery into works of art with Metallics in May! Visit Stone Leaf Pottery today and let your creativity shine! (discounts applied after you’ve placed your order but before you pay for it)
That’s all for now, folks! Happy potting and we look forward to seeing you around the store!
Elise and the Stone Leaf Pottery Crew
All Clay of the Month purchases are limited to 100# of clay. The sale price is valid only in March 2023 and not combinable with other discounts.
It's not uncommon for us to run out of the clay (s) of the Month, so we always suggest you shop early in the Month to ensure the clay is in stock. Also, when purchasing Glaze or Tool(s), or Equipment of the Month, again, it's limited to products on hand. So, if we don't have it when you shop, come shop with us again soon! We replenish our shelves constantly—we'll hopefully have more soon! Got more questions about how this works? Please, please reach out to us!