ALL THE FEELS AND GOOD VIBES
We always hope that everyone we encounter has had a positive learning experience with us, has built upon their creativity and has completely fallen in love with making pottery! Judging by the growth in our membership and the feedback we get, we would say that our mission is accomplished. Thank you al for your wonderful words!
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I first joined Saffron Collective Studios in order to support a family member but quickly found that I enjoyed learning about clay and clay arts. The fact that it is located in Cochrane is a big factor why I have continued as a member for 5 plus years. The nearest pottery studio is 40 kms away from Cochrane, a bit far for a frequent commute.
Learning pottery has allowed me to discover my creativity. The opportunity to express myself with the use of clay has enriched my life and the functional pieces that I make reflect my interest in nature and culture. I get a great deal of satisfaction and pride from creating, giving and selling my pottery. The studio has also provided me the opportunity to take on the role of teacher and mentor. Several years of shadowing an instructor has opened the opportunity for me to teach others the skills of pottery.
Saffron Collective studios is a place where I have made friends and am accepted in a community of other clay artists. We share a common love of exploration and we share ideas, tools and pottery techniques. All of the members volunteer at the studio to help off set the operational costs. This collaboration has helped to foster camaraderie.
It also have given me the opportunity to give back to the Cochrane community. Our Empty Bowl Event has donated several thousand dollars to our local food bank. Saffron Collective Studios has contibuted to the Makers curriculum at Glenbow Elementary School, facilitated an event for the seniors from the Bethany Care Center. It has instructors going to teach in elementary classrooms, senior's facilities, and playschools. The studio has also hosted corporate team building sessions and home school organizations. It has also contibuted to two movie productions where other studio members and I collaborated to create replica bowls form the movies The Revanent and Lewis and Clark.
Besides the clay art I have learned to be patient, to experiment, to stretch my bounderies and discover skills never used before. It is such a focus that everything else falls away. Clay therapy is what we call it. It fills my days and gives me purpose in my retirement.
I have noticed the studio membership has grown and we have many more classes running and many inquiries for classes for adults, children and teens. What we are lacking is space and equipment to meet the demand. We could use more shelving for student pieces and storage space for members, pottery wheels for classes as well as tables and chairs where classes amd members can work simultaneously. We could use a new kiln because our two kilns are operating at full capacity. Finally we could improve on our bathroom and kitchen facilities.
I whole heartedly recommend my friends and family to try pottery. I tell them that the studio is a very welcoming place which accepts all levels of skill. I want them to know how much I enjoy my time there and how much I have learned about this great craft. I invite them to visit and sometimes I even gift them a piece that I have made.
Beatrice Snider
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“I was drawn to Saffron because I really like the name and I was curious. I had a chat with a friend and decided --- I have to do this. This is for me and me alone. Pottery gets me out of the house where I can leave every day responsibilities behind me when I close the door. This place lets me express myself with a piece of clay. The designs, colours, shapes, etc. are beyond endless. Like the universe!
Clay has found a place in my heart. This opportunity lets me put my ideas into shape and colour. This freedom is amazing and very relaxing! I always share my experiences, how can I not. Clay is part of me right now and I feel like it will be for some time. The studio has a great group of people who are there for their own reasons and needs. Everyone just seems to belong and get along. And Nicole knows her clay! She's honest with her advice and always has an answer for any question. She's so level headed and bubbly, she's contagious. She is Saffron. We all need a Saffron. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of Saffron!”
~ Faye
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"Fantastic Pottery Studio in the heart of Downtown Cochrane.
Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Watch a potter at the wheel create a beautiful piece of Art. Become a member and see where the clay
takes you!!" Janet
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“As a mom, a professional in the business world and a world-wide traveller, for me, this studio is a safe haven to be creative while being filled with caring, enthusiastic women and men from assorted backgrounds.
The creator of this piece if heaven is Nicole Snider. Nicole coaches me with her master skills at ceramics in such a joyful way that when I leave this place I feel peaceful inside and at ease with the world outside. It is very rare in this world to have a business owner make everyone who walks through the door feel special. I am very blessed to have her and Saffron Collective Studios in my life.” ~ Moya
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"LOVE LOVE LOVE this place! Found my passion, tribe and self. Love how welcoming Nicole and Beatrice make you feel. The inspiration is never ending and the learning is incredible. Nice has been an amazing guide for me and I move myself into the business of pottery!" Alannah
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“When my friend and I were looking for a place to restart our pottery, (something I didn't have the opportunity to do for years ), we were fortunate enough to come upon Nicole's studio, which was starting in the basement of Addies about 9 years ago. When we met Nicole, we knew instantly that her studio would be a good fit for us. Nicole provided and continues to provide a wonderfully inclusive environment where ideas are exchanged and creativity flourishes. There is a family-like environment between the members and it is definitely driven by the person Nicole is. She is knowledgeable, yet always willing to learn, is helpful, reliable and one of the most creative people I have had the pleasure of ever knowing. What makes her unique, though, is that she readily shares her ideas and is never judgmental or critical but always supportive and positive in her attitude. She has provided the community of Cochrane with a unique and wonderful venue for artists and locals alike to share ideas and be creative. She supports her community of Cochrane; it is refreshing that she gives back and is always helping out with donating pieces to many fundraisers. Her generous spirit has inspired all of us to become more active in our own communities.” ~ Anna
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We had Nicole come out to offer a session to our mother's of children with disabilities at a retreat and she was fabulous! Everyone enjoyed learning and creating. Thanks! Beth