July 2025 Newsletter
Club Notes and Updates
New Glazes, New Tools!
From left to right: “Galaxy,” “Glacier,” “Spanish Olives,” “Denim,” “After Dark,” “Obsidian,” and “Misty Morning.”
New Recycled Glazes Available
You can find the light on the sign-in desk. Please return it there when you are finished.
As Bella, our Studio Technician, works her way through our backstock of old glaze materials and mystery chemicals, and the dregs of glaze buckets, she’s creating a range of new recycled glazes—some beautiful surprises are emerging! Samples are now available for viewing on the dining table in the main studio (see above photo).
These glazes are one-offs, made from leftover materials or the recycle buckets—once they’re gone, they’re gone!
New Tools Available
Let There Be Light!
We’ve added a portable LED light to the studio—fully rechargeable and able to swivel 360 degrees, it’s perfect for detailed work, especially on sculpture. Unlike the overhead lights that often cast shadows, this light gives you direct illumination exactly where you need it.
You'll find it on the right-hand side of the sign-in desk. Please remember to recharge it—even if you've only used it briefly.
Really on a Roll
Our implements board has had a major upgrade, with 12 new texture rollers donated by a generous member. Come check them out and get inspired!
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Kiln Props and Glaze Stilts for Sale
Bella has also streamlined our kiln prop inventory, so we now have a range available for members to purchase. If you own your own kiln, this is a great chance to stock up on second-hand kiln props at excellent prices.
Please note: Anything not sold by 15 July will be offered to the public and other clubs. New props typically cost around $1.50 per centimetre (10mm), so you’ll save a lot by buying second-hand!
Kiln Props for Sale
• 50 x Mixed small props (20–60mm) – $30 for all 50
• 29 x 70–80mm – $5.00 each
• 75 x 100mm – $7.00 each
• 27 x 120mm – $8.00 each
• 12 x 140–150mm – $9.00 each
• 14 x 195mm – $12.00 each
• 15 x 130–250mm (need some grinding) – $20 for the full set
Glaze Stilts and Props for Sale
Glaze stilts are essential when experimenting with runs or layered glazes—they keep your pots lifted and protect shelves from fusing disasters. Minimum purchase: 6 units (any size combination)
Additional glaze props:
• 20 x Ceramic buttons (see above) – $1.00 each
• 9 x “Mountains” (see above, sold in sets of 3) – $9.00 per set
• 12 x Cone “Mountains” (see above, sets of 3) – $6.00 per set
Glaze stilts available sizes:
• 40 x 25–30mm – $1.00 each
• 50 x 35mm – $1.50 each
• 35 x 45mm – $2.00 each
• 13 x 55–60mm – $3.00 each
• 102 x 75–80mm – $4.00 each
• 14 x 95mm – $5.00 each
Interested in purchasing something? Email Admin (wellingtonpotters.info@gmail.com), or catch Bella or Peter in person to make a purchase.
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Countdown to Anagama!
Mal Sole sidestokes the Anagama kiln. Photo: Mel Waite Photography
Mid-August: Glazes available
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31 August: Receiving Day
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1 - 6 September: Loading
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10 - 14 September: Firing
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21 September: Unloading
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Mid-August: Glazes available | 31 August: Receiving Day | 1 - 6 September: Loading | 10 - 14 September: Firing | 21 September: Unloading |
The countdown is on to make and bisque fire items for Anagama Receiving Day (Sunday 31 August)! Don't forget to sign yourself up for Receiving Day in HelloClub (which also gives you an opportunity to join a loading or firing shift).
DID YOU KNOW…?
What happens if you don’t mix your glaze?
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Mix your glazes!!
Member’s Gallery: Peter Rumble
Sure, you’ve seen Peter Rumble around the studio—teaching CEC classes, coaching members, fixing things, moving clay, coordinating contractors—but have you ever seen his finished work? After a bit of cajoling to Peter, we’re thrilled to finally share some photos of his masterpieces for you to enjoy.
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Thanks to Mel W., and Peter for their photos of Peter’s work!
Is there something you’ve made that you are particularly proud of? If so, please email your photos (and descriptions, if you’d like) to wellingtonpotters.info@gmail.com.
PSAs from the Club Admin
Kiln cookie (biscuit) protocol
Please remember to use kiln cookies (biscuits) under your glazed pots to protect the kiln shelves. After firing—and because of the space they take up—they will be placed in the biscuit box. Be sure your name is clearly marked on your biscuit so you can reclaim yours when you collect your work.
To keep things running smoothly, please pick up your cookie promptly (before someone else snarfles it!).
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Demo Night Winter Break
We're taking a short winter break from Demo Night to give our amazing volunteer demonstrators a well-earned rest. We'll SPRING back in action in September—see you then!
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Have You Been Using the Glaze Spray Booth?
It seems we have a spray booth user who isn't following the proper protocol — no photos are being sent, and the space isn’t being cleaned properly afterward. How do I know? Because those using the booth after you are sending through photos — and they’re showing the mess you’ve left behind.
If this continues, we may need to introduce a more formal system to track use, such as sign-ups and check-ins.
Please respect your fellow members by following the agreed procedures: send your photos and clean thoroughly after each use. And if you have any questions about the process, just ask!
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That’s it from me! Ngā mihi!
Suggestion Box Updates
Thanks for your suggestions in the suggestion box! Believe it or not, the suggestion box is NOT a black void of notes from you all. Suggestions get read, discussed, and logged at the Committee Meetings. Below are the suggestions and outcomes from February’s meeting (click the “+” to expand).
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We need clarification on this request! Do you mean slump or slip cast moulds? If you were the person who made this suggestion, please email Admin and clarify.
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Unfortunately, the current setup is the most efficient option we have. That said, this raises an important reminder: clay that is too wet is being placed on the batts. Please use common sense—if you can pour it, it’s too wet. The clay should be scooped onto the batt, not poured.
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Yes! Great call. Peter is on it.
Pie for July
Your friendly neighborhood Admin made a pumpkin pie for Matariki—thanks to inheriting a ginormous crown pumpkin that needed using up. It turned out so well that there was a special request to include the recipe in this month’s newsletter.
A quick note for fellow bakers in Aotearoa: making sweet pies in NZ comes with a few quirks. Since sweet dessert pies aren’t really traditional here, I’ve found that pre-made “sweet” crusts are far too sweet. The best solution? Use a savoury pastry instead—it balances out the sweetness of the filling. The recipe below has been noted to reflect this.
If you’re after detailed instructions on blind baking or using canned pumpkin, you can find the original recipe here.
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INGREDIENTS
• 1 packet of 5 savory pastry sheets (Note 1) OR make your own shortcrust pastry
• 1 3/4 cups roasted pumpkin puree (Note 2)
• 2/3 cup (145g) sugar, white/granulated (caster is fine)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger (i used fresh, grated on a microplaner)
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• Pinch of nutmeg
• 1 1/3 cups (330 ml) cream, heavy / thickened (cold)
• 3 eggsDIRECTIONS
1) Blind bake the pie crust per the Pie Crust recipe and fill it immediately after removing from the oven.
2) Preheat the oven to 170°C (150°C fan).
3) Place pumpkin, sugar, salt and spices into a saucepan over medium heat. Once you see steam, cook, stirring regularly, for 5 minutes (this removes excess moisture and lets spices bloom).
4) Remove from the stove and scrape into a bowl. Add cream, whisk.
5) Whisk eggs in one by one, mixing just enough to incorporate. If you whisk vigorously for ages, it will aerate the mixture, leading to cracks.
6) Pour into pie crust, transfer to oven.
7) Bake for 45 – 55 minutes or until the centre is set but still has a slight jiggle and the toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean but damp (if it still has pumpkin batter, keep cooking). (Note 3)
8) Cool completely for 4 hours+ before cutting to serve. Serve with cream and dusting of cinnamon or nutmeg if desired!STORAGE: beyond about 6 hours after cooling, keep in the fridge for up to 3 days (overnight ideal, thereafter crust starts to lose quality).
NOTE 1: if your pastry sheets do not fit in your pie plate/tin, just quickly knead 3 or so together and roll back out. Line your pie plate/tin with your pastry and blind bake. For blind baking instructions, see here.
NOTE 2: use a 1kg (or more) pumpkin (crown, butternut, acorn or other sweet pumpkin) (weight with skin and seeds). Peel and remove seeds, cut into pieces then roast until very very tender. When cool, peel the skins, mash then pass through a sieve (use a tablespoon and mix vigorously then a rubber spatula to scrape from underside, you’ll figure out the method that works best for you). Measure out 1 3/4 cups, place in a bowl, leave for 10 minutes. If water pools around edges on surface, place paper towel across surface to absorb, then proceed with recipe (ie cooking on stove)
NOTE 3: If you see slight cracks around the edges of the surface, that’s a good sign that it’s either ready or very near ready. Because this has eggs in it, you will get minor cracks around the edges but once it cools and sinks, these minor cracks kind of self-heal.
Photos and original recipe from recipetineats.com
Upcoming WPA Classes & Events
Clay Club
Tuesday 8 July | 10 - 12AM
Join the Clay Club to explore the world of clay recycling! You'll learn about the process of reusing clay, the benefits of using grog, different types of clay and their uses, firing temperatures, and how to operate a pug mill to create recycled clay (available for purchase by members). No prior experience is needed, and attending can even count towards volunteer hours!
Clay Club meets once a month, alternating between a Tuesday and a weekend day. Plus, if you attend the Tuesday session, you can enjoy Cake Club as a bonus! Thanks to our new recycling system, you don't need to wear gloves or a mask, but be sure to dress in clothes that can handle a little mud.
You can sign up for individual sessions via HelloClub, with no commitment to attend regularly. After four sessions, you’ll earn a 10kg bag of the Club's recycled clay. We hope to see you there!
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Bring Your Child/ren
Friday 11 July | 9:30AM - 12:30PM
Want to share your passion for clay with the child/ren in your life?
The club rooms will be open for 3 hours during the school holidays for you to bring your child/ren along to play with clay. No tutors are provided by WPA though so you are to be responsible for your child's behaviour and safety while in the rooms.
You must provide all materials and fully supervise their activities, cleaning up thoroughly at the end of the session. Finished art may be fired at WPA - for this event only.
Please SIGN UP for this one-off event. Max of 10 WPA members, all ages of children welcome.
NOTE: We've removed the maximum number of kids one person can host -- as long as you can keep them under control, please feel free to bring more than two children. We don't want to make you pick favourites!
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Friends and Family Night
Friday 18 July | 5PM - 9PM
Come join us for our Friends and Family Evening!
This is your chance to bring ONE friend or family member and dive into the world of ceramics and pottery! Hosted by Christine Winbush, you and your guest get to explore your creative sides while having fun together. You’ll need to bring your own clay, keep an eye on your person, and make sure everything is tidied up before you leave. Snacks and drinks are welcome, so feel free to bring along something to enjoy while you work on your masterpieces. The event runs from 5 PM to 9 PM.
Club members can have their friend's or family member’s creations fired, but remember, you'll be responsible for payment and collection. This event is free to attend, but please SIGN UP so we can prepare for the number of guests. We can’t wait to see you there and get creative together!
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Glaze Mixing 101
Wednesday 23 July | 6 - 8PM
Ever wondered what it takes to mix your own glazes?
Join James Dickman for an introductory session on the fundamentals of glaze mixing. This 2 hour workshop will cover the basics of glaze materials and chemistry, how to read a glaze recipe, and essential health and safety practices.
In a small group setting, you'll gain hands-on experience by mixing one of our club glazes—an ideal way to learn the practical steps involved in preparing a glaze from scratch.
Please note: You’ll be working with dry glaze materials, so a suitable respirator—an N95 mask or higher—is required, though a reusable respirator is strongly recommended. You MUST bring your own properly rated mask in order to participate.
NOTE: If this class is full when you go to sign up, mark yourself as “interested” as that effectively becomes the waitlist!
Community News
Open 10am–5pm, 7 days a week | Corner Norrie & Parumoana streets, Porirua, New Zealand
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Links to other clubs’ current newsletters
Ceramics New Zealand national news can be found here, with the Wellington / regional news here.
The latest Gear Homestead Woolshed Potters’ Newsletter can be found here.
The latest The Kilns at Te Horo Newsletter can be found here.
The latest Ōtaki Potter’s Newsletter can be found here.
Have some content for the newsletter? Email it to wellingtonpotters.info@gmail.com.
The deadline for the next newsletter is 23 July.
