Hello everyone, Sorry it's taken me so many days to send a report of the BRPCG meeting on Saturday, but I've been battling the new improved version of America Online and my computer hasn't been the same since. If any of you on AOL are tempted to upgrade your program, I'd suggest not to!

We had a great meeting on Saturday at Gail Jolley's lovely house - a nice atmosphere to "talk clay". We didn't have any pressing business, but Pat our treasurer, did her part.

Irene was the program. She talked about inclusions,brought samples of various powders and glitters that she incorporates into translucent and other clays. She demonstrated some of the techniques she uses for inclusions and discussed other applications. She also generously shared colored sand with all of us that can be used as inclusions. Irene brought along some of her jewelry, some of it using techniques that she discussed, so we enjoyed pawing through her things and picking out things that couldn't be passed by.

Once again the question of ethics came up and we spent quite a bit of time in discussion. The question concerned the ethics of using a cane created by someone else in your own work. Arguments could be made on either side of the question. Giving the cane-maker credit, how much to tell the buyer, does the buyer care, does it detract from the value of
the piece-all these questions and more were discussed and no definitive conclusions were reached.

Show and tell was interesting as usual. Most of us had a few things to show and discuss. We all seem to learn a few things of value at each meeting. Irene declared that Pat's Putty lesson at the June meeting was life-changing! If you want to change your life, come to the nextmeeting and find out how!

The next meeting will be hosted by Byrd in Bristol. ROAD TRIP!! Byrd will be sending more information on that.

submitted by Nancy Mackoviak, July 14, 1999