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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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!
The latest in tools!
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!
Are wonderful with customers!
Provide great facilities for classes!
Offer classes! and have great teachers!
And she has a great assistant with an ingenious clay lifter device – see the video here:
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!
Love to my clay sisters, one and all!
Love, love, LOVE my Clay Sisters… ahhhh, the memories!! This post totally made me smile! Thanks Marian –
Hey! Glad you liked it! Yep! Great memories of great fun! Too many good stories! We MUST get together again soon! Love to you!
Marian
Great post and great times.
Thanks! Sue! Nothing like Clay Camp! I still have my t-shirt!
Loved it! Very interesting and full of love, friendships.
My sister and I are the ones buying items for the Raku class in your pic above! I wasn’t expecting to see myself, I was just enjoying the read! Thank you for sharing such wonderful words about Judith and The House of Clay staff! Over the years I’ve attended several classes, and have grown to love the HoC! I completely understand why you’ve had such a lifelong love affair with this place! 🙂
Hope it was ok to use your photo????!!!!
Love that you call it HoC! Very GoT!
I’m a transplanted Okie living in So Cal. Anyone know where I can find clay made from okla clay? I’m checking locally but thus far no luck