November 2011 Meeting Report

Another extremely well attended meeting, with a total of 40 members, the second at our excellent new venue Hugh Cubitt Centre. A warm welcome to our new members: Suzanne Bourne; Doreen Perry; Lynne Taylor and Lesley Williams.

The atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation for Sue Heaser’s demo on her pietre dure technique. The show and tell table was set up, but with such a packed day ahead, it was left as an informal ‘have a look’, and not the usual discussion about all the pieces.

Sue started with an introduction to pietre dure, sharing with us how she first developed the technique using polymer clay, wrote a book on the subject and was encouraged to take classes. Sue also showed us examples of her work, with the use of an overhead projector (supplied by Susan Rimmer/borrowed from her son), and talked about the Gilbert exhibition currently on at the V&A Museum, from which she has found inspiration for her work.

After this introduction we split into two groups, each group taking it in turns to come in closer for Sue to show us how to make our own piece of pietre dure.

Nico’s coffee shop stayed open for us all day, serving us breakfast, an excellent lunch and drinks throughout the day, all at very reasonable prices.

After lunch Veronika Sturdy showed us a different method for image transfer. She has been experimenting using a variety of clays and has found that when using Fimo soft the image will transfer to the clay without the need for water. What a difference, no mess and the image transferred is sharper, with no missing bits or smudges.

And lastly, to an unusually hushed room, the much awaited raffle for the Elise Winters brooch was drawn, and won by Nadege Honey. Well done Nadege.

A big thank you to Sue for travelling so far to see us, and for the great presentation of her pietre dure technique. And thank you also to Veronika.

Wow what a brilliant day, the best so far.

Our next meeting will be on Sunday 29th January 2012, so mark your diary (if you have one yet), and we hope to see you there.

(Report by Ann Parker, Photos by Carol Blackburn)