Clay-A-Thon 2001

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It was slow at first, but it really picked up. We had lots of guests come through. They were the ones who saw us at embellishment and were curious.

One lady joined the guild, signed up for Judy’s workshop, and bought a beginner’s kit — all within five minutes of entering the room. There was a darling couple who came on Saturday and came back all day Aunday. There was a young woman who brought two little (around 5–6 years) kids in tow, who behaved very well, clayed away like old pros, and when they got bored and antsy, mom took them home. thank you, mom!

On Sunday, we had a lot more looky-loos. some came and stayed and clayed; others just wandered around looking at people working, asking questions, and generally being bowled over by the talent in that room. one lady came with two daughters, around 10–12 years of age. none of the three had ever touched clay before. I had brought a bunch of booklets (you know, the Hot Off the Press types) and printouts of project ideas and techniques that I’ve been collecting, and before you know it, they were all doing something different and having a ball. I let the girls use my demo clay (Sculpey III that’s just perfect for those little hands).

We had a special guest (Sunni Bergeron, whom many of you may know from her intensive involvement with Polymer Clay Central), who came with her darling doggie, a chihuahua named Pru. Pru was a busy little pup, checking everything out, playing with her toys, having a great time. toward the end of the day on Sunday, Sunni brought out bags of free giveaways — little bottles, lovely sticks, and bags of feathers. when we were closing up, she and I were on our hands and knees picking up the stray feathers because one of the bags leaked and the floor looked like we had a cockfight in there!

Lynne and I served Jayne the special lunch that was the prize for the naming the unnamed weekend. She got pizza and pop and a little of everything else we could find in the kitchen.

I brought tools and supplies to share, as well as a tv and vcr. Julie brought the library, so some people viewed videos. we had several impromptu demos. Lynne showed how to use the Jasi slicer, and then how to cover an Altoids tin; I demoed the skinner blend both days, and then showed Buesseler’s leaf with powder technique to lots of oohs and aahs; and Jayne showed some transfer techniques.

We had a fundraising sale table that had all sorts of odds and ends, from pvc rollers to liquid sculpey to old craft magazines. a lot of it came from the NWPG’s Courting the Muse conference: extra stuff that was left over after the “goodie bags” were filled. We sold all four of the beginner kits I put together and we made over $150 from the fundraiser. I started the “Encyclopedia of Claying” and had the first three sections done in time for the Clay-A-Thon. Each beginner kit contained this informational book. We will start promoting its sale at the general meeting.

We brought in pizza both days — both vegetarian and meatatarian — and sold it by the slice. Elaine, as usual, bless her heart, brought and donated the soda and homemade cookies. Beta brought caramel popcorn, potato chips, and cheese puffs.

The facilities were fabulous. Right off the I-5 freeway, it was easily accessible to everyone. The community center has a full working kitchen, stocked with everything imaginable — dishes, cutlery, pots and pans, two ovens, two microwaves, refrigerator/freezer, cleaning supplies . . . I could go on and on — in a sparkling clean building.

So did we have a good time? Yes! It was fabulous and I can’t wait until the next one. Clay-A-Thon 2002.