I met Judith Wagenseller while attending Baylor University – yonks ago! – and we have remained and become the best of friends.  Funny…when I was in college I really didn’t realize that her parents owned and ran The House of Clay, a shop that catered to china painters, potters, and all of those between.  I took my first pottery class in college and that is where my LOVE AFFAIR with clay began, but Judith was not part of that class.

Gary Huntoon-Marian Haile Williams-Judith Wagenseller-Kerrville, Texas
Workshop taught by Gary Huntoon in Kerrville, Texas. Judith Wagenseller and I attended the class.

We did not really become CLAY SISTERS! until 1990 when I returned from Alaska and asked Judith to attend a workshop with me in Kerrville, Texas.  Click here for a post about that!  Concerning the pic above:  Judith is in the red shirt on the right and, YES, I did have shorts on under that shirt!  Geez Louise!  What was I thinking!  Anyway, we had WAY TOO MUCH FUN! and laughed our heads off as one lady was making a seat and formed it to her butt!!! Too funny!

We have managed to stay good friends through the years as our girls are close in age.

House of Clay-Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-Judith Wagenseller
Liz Williams (my daughter!), Hattie Wagenseller, and Judith Wagenseller
Liz Williams and Melody Black - looking gorgeous!
Liz Williams and Melody Wagenseller Black – looking gorgeous! and Yum!

Every summer a group of us would gather in Oklahoma City at the House of Clay for “Clay Camp” as we liked to call it.  It was a great time for Perfect Margaritas at Pearl’s, group therapy through laughter and talk and we even did a little pottery!

Clay Camp-House of Clay
Clay Sisters at Clay Camp- Fran Ferrell, Hattie Wagenseller, Melissa Vanoy, Judith Wagenseller, Sue Haile, Marian Williams, Suzi Swinfornd and Barbie!
Clay Camp-House of Clay
Clay Sisters at Clay Camp

Judith has continued to run the House of Clay for many years and it is a great success and provides clay, tools, supplies, workshops, classes and pretty much anything related to ceramics to the Oklahoma City area.

My daughter, Liz Williams, and I recently drove to OKC to see the crew and we had a great time!  The House of Clay becomes a family meeting point and I truly felt like I had come home!

House of Clay-Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-Judith Wagenseller
Hattie Wagenseller and her lovely bowl.
Jordan and
Jordan and his mice (or are they rats?)
House of Clay-Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-Judith Wagenseller
Jason, Melody’s husband, holding Brinker. Great Dad!
House of Clay-Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-Judith Wagenseller
Jordan, Brinker & Melody blowing bubbles in the shop.
House of Clay-Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-Judith Wagenseller
Brinker Black, Melody’s daughter, painting already!

We also had to make sure that Melody knew she was loved by us as she was facing chemotherapy the next week.  Here is hoping for the best and fastest recovery ever, Melody!

House of Clay-Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-Judith Wagenseller
Melody Wagenseller Black and Liz Williams

One of the things that I love about the House of Clay is how on top of everything they are!  The bisque ware for painting is awesome!

House of Clay-Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-Judith Wagenseller
Ceramic coffee cups with plastic lids! Paintable! Brilliant!
House of Clay-Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-Judith Wagenseller
A Dragon! So Game of Thrones! The House of Clay is on it!

The latest in tools!

House of Clay-Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-Judith Wagenseller
Very cool texture mats available at the House of Clay.

The latest in Cone 6 glazes!  Check out these beauties! (Click on each pic to get a larger pic).

They have fun and a great attitude!

House of Clay-Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-Judith Wagenseller
Loved this! It was on the counter.
House of Clay-Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-Judith Wagenseller
Love this!

Are wonderful with customers!

House of Clay-Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-Judith Wagenseller
Judith assisting a loyal customer in the shop.

Provide great facilities for classes!

Classes are also offered at the House of Clay - love those Creative Industry wheels!
Classes are also offered at the House of Clay – love those Creative Industry wheels!

Offer classes! and have great teachers!

House of Clay-Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-Judith Wagenseller
Butch Lindsey, potter and Raku Instructor
Marvin teaches a pottery class at the House of Clay and was doing a raku workshop the evening that I was there.
Marvin Embree teaches a pottery class at the House of Clay and was doing a raku workshop the evening that I was there.
House of Clay-Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-Judith Wagenseller
Judith Wagenseller assisting customers.
Customers buying pieces for the raku class.
Customers buying pieces for the raku class.

And she has a great assistant with an ingenious clay lifter device – see the video here:

House of Clay-Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-Judith Wagenseller
Clayton Reece – Assistant Extraordinaire!

The Clay Lifter is a device designed and crafted by Clayton Reece.  It’s purpose is to alleviate the difficulty and back strain of lifting 50# boxes of clay.  If interested in this device, contact Clayton Reece at ClaytonReece145@gmail.com or through the House of Clay.

All in all, it is a wonderful ceramics shop!  If you are in the area, check them out.  Facebook them as well!

Here is their website:  House of Clay

But for me, it’s going to see that friend.  You know the one that makes you laugh and that you love to be with no matter what you are doing!

House of Clay-Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-Judith Wagenseller
This says it all!

Love to my clay sisters, one and all!

A Love Affair with Clay Logo Color Chloe