Join resident artist, Casey Beck in this gas-soda firing focusing on the enigmatic surfaces produced through his processes. Participants will bring bisque ware to be fired in the kiln as bare clay or with a slipped surface and learn to load with the anticipation of the flame carrying the soda ash in mind. Work will be loaded closely, tumble stacked and props will be made to direct flame movement throughout the kiln.
During the firing we will cover the topics of firing a gas kiln, soda ash introduction methods, soaking and cooling the kiln in a slow and controlled atmosphere to produce strong flashing and surface development on the work. The firing should yield a variety of colors and surfaces throughout the kiln ranging from browns and grays to reds and pinks. Each piece will have a varied surface with both flashing and a soda glaze.
Schedule:
Thursday, January 28:
8:00 - 9:00 am: Arrive and unload work.
9:00 - 10:00 am: Talk about glazing / slipping, roll wadding.
10:00 am: Begin loading kiln.
Approx. 3:00 pm: Begin kiln firing.
Friday, January 29:
Fire soda kiln. Potential of artist talk or demos from Casey as time allows. Roughly from 8am - 5pm depending on the progression of the firing.
6:00pm: Woodfired pizza pot luck
Saturday, January 30:
Off day.
Our Double Woodfiring Workshop anagama unloading happens and you are welcome to join in on the unloading.
Sunday, January 31:
9:30 am: Unload kiln, cleaning, debriefing.
Included in this workshop:
In depth instruction from Casey on the process of preparing for a soda firing, loading the kiln, firing the kiln, unloading, and cleaning.
Access to our glazes, slips, and wadding.
2 cubic feet of work in the kiln.
Free camping through the duration of the firing and during unloading is included with registration, see the shop tab to purchase additional camping nights. When camping, you have access to a hot shower and bathroom.
24/7 access to a fridge, microwave and electric kettle.
Experience: No prior kiln firing experience is required for this course.
Participation:
Participants may come and go during the firing if desired. Please note this is not a pick-up and drop-off firing service and participants are expected to assist with prep, loading, a majority of the firing, unloading and clean-up.
Clay Bodies:
Much of the outcome in atmospheric firings depends on the clay body. It is important to use clays which are highly refractory. All clay bodies must be Cone 10 or higher. No low-fire or mid-range clay as they will melt in the kiln and make a HUGE mess of everyone’s work and our kilns. Suggested commercial clays we have had success with are WSO, Porcelains, B-mix Woodfire, White stoneware.
Casey suggests wedging silica sand into your lighter clays for this firing.
Additionally, you may have interest in mixing one of Casey’s clay bodies from his Glazy.
What to make:
A variety of shapes and sizes is strongly encouraged, this will make for better load and firing results! Please avoid bringing ONLY cups and bowls, appropriate spaces for these forms are limited and if you do so some of your work will likely not make it into the kiln. Tall and thin, always in, and round and bulbous shapes are great for certain spots.
How much work to bring:
This workshop includes two cubic feet of work in the kiln.
To get an idea of how much work to bring, you may measure out a space and measure your work before leaving. Example: measure out a space that is 24” x 12” and stack work within that space to be on average 6” tall - this will equal about 1 cubic foot. When measuring the cubic space of an object we also take into account the amount of space that is needed around an object and the wadding that lifts the piece higher and off of the shelf by about ¼” - 2”.
Please only bring bisque fired work
What to bring: Closed toe shoes, cotton clothing, work gloves, eye protection, respirator or mask, hearing protection (optional).
Handbook:
If you are looking for additional information on the workshop, please read through our soda / salt firing handbook. This will also be sent to you prior to the workshop beginning.
Workshop Cancellation & Refund Policy:
In the event of cancellation by the registrant 45 days or more prior to the event, you will receive a refund of your purchase amount, minus a $100 administrative fee. Alternatively, you may transfer your registration to another available workshop for a $50 administrative fee.
No refunds will be given within 45 days of the workshop, and we are unable to make exceptions to this policy. We understand that circumstances may arise; however, as a small business, we work hard to keep our workshops as affordable as possible. This policy helps us do so while ensuring that we can plan appropriately for each workshop.
Waitlist: Send us an email if you would like to be added to the waitlist.
Join resident artist, Casey Beck in this gas-soda firing focusing on the enigmatic surfaces produced through his processes. Participants will bring bisque ware to be fired in the kiln as bare clay or with a slipped surface and learn to load with the anticipation of the flame carrying the soda ash in mind. Work will be loaded closely, tumble stacked and props will be made to direct flame movement throughout the kiln.
During the firing we will cover the topics of firing a gas kiln, soda ash introduction methods, soaking and cooling the kiln in a slow and controlled atmosphere to produce strong flashing and surface development on the work. The firing should yield a variety of colors and surfaces throughout the kiln ranging from browns and grays to reds and pinks. Each piece will have a varied surface with both flashing and a soda glaze.
Schedule:
Thursday, January 28:
8:00 - 9:00 am: Arrive and unload work.
9:00 - 10:00 am: Talk about glazing / slipping, roll wadding.
10:00 am: Begin loading kiln.
Approx. 3:00 pm: Begin kiln firing.
Friday, January 29:
Fire soda kiln. Potential of artist talk or demos from Casey as time allows. Roughly from 8am - 5pm depending on the progression of the firing.
6:00pm: Woodfired pizza pot luck
Saturday, January 30:
Off day.
Our Double Woodfiring Workshop anagama unloading happens and you are welcome to join in on the unloading.
Sunday, January 31:
9:30 am: Unload kiln, cleaning, debriefing.
Included in this workshop:
In depth instruction from Casey on the process of preparing for a soda firing, loading the kiln, firing the kiln, unloading, and cleaning.
Access to our glazes, slips, and wadding.
2 cubic feet of work in the kiln.
Free camping through the duration of the firing and during unloading is included with registration, see the shop tab to purchase additional camping nights. When camping, you have access to a hot shower and bathroom.
24/7 access to a fridge, microwave and electric kettle.
Experience: No prior kiln firing experience is required for this course.
Participation:
Participants may come and go during the firing if desired. Please note this is not a pick-up and drop-off firing service and participants are expected to assist with prep, loading, a majority of the firing, unloading and clean-up.
Clay Bodies:
Much of the outcome in atmospheric firings depends on the clay body. It is important to use clays which are highly refractory. All clay bodies must be Cone 10 or higher. No low-fire or mid-range clay as they will melt in the kiln and make a HUGE mess of everyone’s work and our kilns. Suggested commercial clays we have had success with are WSO, Porcelains, B-mix Woodfire, White stoneware.
Casey suggests wedging silica sand into your lighter clays for this firing.
Additionally, you may have interest in mixing one of Casey’s clay bodies from his Glazy.
What to make:
A variety of shapes and sizes is strongly encouraged, this will make for better load and firing results! Please avoid bringing ONLY cups and bowls, appropriate spaces for these forms are limited and if you do so some of your work will likely not make it into the kiln. Tall and thin, always in, and round and bulbous shapes are great for certain spots.
How much work to bring:
This workshop includes two cubic feet of work in the kiln.
To get an idea of how much work to bring, you may measure out a space and measure your work before leaving. Example: measure out a space that is 24” x 12” and stack work within that space to be on average 6” tall - this will equal about 1 cubic foot. When measuring the cubic space of an object we also take into account the amount of space that is needed around an object and the wadding that lifts the piece higher and off of the shelf by about ¼” - 2”.
Please only bring bisque fired work
What to bring: Closed toe shoes, cotton clothing, work gloves, eye protection, respirator or mask, hearing protection (optional).
Handbook:
If you are looking for additional information on the workshop, please read through our soda / salt firing handbook. This will also be sent to you prior to the workshop beginning.
Workshop Cancellation & Refund Policy:
In the event of cancellation by the registrant 45 days or more prior to the event, you will receive a refund of your purchase amount, minus a $100 administrative fee. Alternatively, you may transfer your registration to another available workshop for a $50 administrative fee.
No refunds will be given within 45 days of the workshop, and we are unable to make exceptions to this policy. We understand that circumstances may arise; however, as a small business, we work hard to keep our workshops as affordable as possible. This policy helps us do so while ensuring that we can plan appropriately for each workshop.
Waitlist: Send us an email if you would like to be added to the waitlist.
