ClayShare

There are so many things about ClayShare that I love. *Jess and Kevin are approachable-they feel like friends to all of us in their large family of members. They answer questions promptly over social media or email. They seem to incorporate their business into family life-maybe because they work all the time so we see them somewhere almost every day. I know they are trying for more balance to avoid total burnout. Please take time off-we get it. *There are classes archived for absolutely any question or topic I might have. *Jess teaches on a level that everybody can understand but does not talk down to anyone. Longtime experienced potters can also learn from her. *Monday Morning ClayShare is a great way to start the week and the weekly Wednesday classes are very informative. *The additional time they give to us, like ClayCon or bead week are above and beyond. *I am more motivated by this online membership than my studio classes that I have been enrolled in for years. Thanks!!!

What should have been a 1 week stay in Montana turned into 3 months in the early Spring of 2020. Having long, leisurely days with no usual obligations on my agenda I was able to turn my attention to my lifelong love of working in clay. How I found Clayshare can only be luck. After having spent over 40 years in and around a number of wonderful community studios and schools, I decided that being 100% a home studio potter was what I needed to do. Becoming acquainted with Jess and Kevin was a true blessing. Totally welcoming, approachable and supportive pair offer a safe place to land and grow your craft. All levels are partnering here. We all share and learn together. You can enjoy projects new and old, techniques familiar or challenging or learn a better way to approach what you thought you had perfected. I have learned so much, made new friends and become more comfortable in the clay crafter community . I have found new clay bodies I love, invested in more equipment ( with Clayshare guidance) found a fellow potter to share my kiln and , in general, am just a better , happier potter.

I bought a paint your own pottery studio, I came with over 800 molds to pour things. A year later my husband lost his job and we moved back to a small town. This is also a agricultural area, people don’t have the spare time or money, so the shop did not do well here. Eventually I retired pulled the studio out of storage and set it up in my two car garage. I decided since I had all the resources I would just made stuff and sell it. I have a small table top wheel, slab clay roller, 2 kilns, tons of pant and brushes. What I lacked was knowledge of hand building and using the wheel. I assumed that because I am a fairly talented person I could just jump on and start producing sellable items. That was not the case, I have been using you tube and trying to learn how to do it all. I was pretty discouraged then I found you. I liked you spunky attitude and then I realized you immense knowledge. I am really enjoying the app, the variety and inspiration. I am sorry to say my studio has been unused because of health issues from Covid but I am so excited to get out there and start putting all I have learned from you in to use. Found you just days before ClayShare con and that was the motivation I needed to get back on track. I even got some forms to make plates. Thanks for doing what you do!