Since the 1990’s, I’ve tried to attend, organize and be part of a pottery/girls week or weekend at least once a year.  There is nothing like the comradeship of fellow potters! and WOMEN!!!  These times away are cathartic in many ways.  They make you appreciate the home and the loved ones you’ve left behind, but these times away REALLY allow you to assess WHERE you are in your work, personal life, and general state of being.  The silliness, laughter and freedom to just CHILL (in a very frantic potters’ way) is good for the soul!

The Pottery Girls!
The Pottery Girls!

In the states, our pottery group consisted of my college friend, Judith Wagenseller (Owner of the HOUSE of Clay in OKC -yes, they are ok and were not hit by the tornado!!!); Sue Haile, my cousin and social potter extraordinaire!; Suzi Swinford, the Queen of decorated handbuilt pottery (her work is amazing-Suzi’s Designs!); Fran Ferrell, potter, rancher, and a woman of women!; and Melissa Vanoy, High School art teacher!  We are a dangerous bunch!  The fun we have had is legendary!

But…now I live in Australia.  Previously, I’ve been too busy teaching at Uni to do much pottery, but after a fortuitous closing of the Education program at Bond Uni, I was forced back into a more relaxed life-style and POTTERY!!!  I love pottery and have joined many of the local pottery groups, forging friendships, and learning heaps.  But I still hadn’t found that group to go on a Pottery/Girls’ Weekend with!

In steps the fabulous, Adriana Christianson!

Adriana Christianson
Adriana Christianson

Adriana is the mother of MUD COLONY, which is a blog that brings together pottery bloggers.  She is such a wonderful cheerleader for our cause that she has organized a get away weekend in Inverloch, Victoria for the Mud Colony Bloggers!!! Unfortunately, only 6 of us are able to participate, but we are all looking forward to it with great excitement! The weekend should be wonderful – plans are for food, chocolate, wine, pottery, and making friends!  What more could you want! We hope to do some of this and who knows what else!

Loch Food and Wine Festival

Woodfire Pottery Kiln Opening – Gooseneck Pottery

Woodfire Pottery Kiln Opening – Valley Plains Pottery

The Cracked Pot by Melissa Glazer
The Cracked Pot by Melissa Glazer

For the plane ride to Melbourne, I’ve downloaded the second of the 3 -book Clay & Crime series, by Melissa Glazer (hehe-get it?!) , The Cracked Pot.  Melissa Glazer is a pseudonym for Tim Myers, a successful mystery writer.  The Clay & Crime books are actually quite light, but fun and entertaining, especially if you are a potter!  I recommend them for a fun read.  They are in order:

A Murderous Glaze

The Cracked Pot

A Fatal Slip