Firing "Fine Print"
Since this is a community kiln, the safety of everyone’s work is very important. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in the damage of your work and others.
The intended purpose of our services is to provide firing for
Mid-Range ceramicists. Small batch Low-Fire firings are not available at this time.
Unless you wish to purchase an entire kiln, we provide two types of firings.
Please be aware that firing is as much a part of the creative ceramic process as any other step. As such, things don't always work out the way that we expect.
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For the highest chances of success, we highly recommend the use of clays that we use and sell at the studio. Since we use these clays we know how they work in our kilns and how to get optimal results.
Through trial and error, we also recommend most Clay Art Center clays. We don't recommend most Seattle Pottery Supply clays. Unfortunately, they just don't work well in our kilns.
Clay Bodies that we know work well:​
WMP (CAC)
NARANJA (CAC)
OREGON BROWN (CAC)
NZ 6 (CAC)
AKIO (CAC)
B-MIX (Laguna)
Speckled Buff (Laguna)
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**We sell all clay's on this list. Our store is open to members and non-members!
Clay Bodies that we know do NOT work well:​
GOLDSTONE (SPS)
SPECKLED B-MIX (Laguna)
OBSIDIAN (Aardvaark)
PLUM BLACK (CAC)
ECLIPSE (SPS)
FOOL'S GOLD (SPS)
We have tested most CAC clays. Plum Black is the only one that we've found not to fire well in our kilns.
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If you have any questions about clay and our kilns, please don't hesitate to ask!
Bisque Firing: Cone 06
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The purpose of this firing is to drive off water and carbon molecules present in the clay and fuse the clay particles together. This prepares the piece to be glazed and fired again to a higher temperature.
Pieces in this firing are stacked and touching, so nothing that could cause pieces to stick together should be used.
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What it does not do:
Fully vitrify the clay so that it can be used with food.
Glaze fire a piece.
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What is allowed in a bisque kiln:
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Clay that can be fired to at least cone 2.
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Underglaze
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Wax Resist
What is NOT allowed in a bisque kiln:
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Clay that is more than 1 inch thick
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Clay, glaze, or any pottery material that is made for Low Fire (Cone 06-04)
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Stoke and Coat
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A large amount of organic material that could create excess ash in the kiln.
Glaze Firing: Cone 5
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The glaze firing vitrifies the clay and melts the glaze making it done and ready for use.
Pots in this firing are not stacked and do not touch. Because of this, they take up more room in the kiln than when they were bisque fired.
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What it does not do:
Take clay all the way from green (unfired) to fully finished.
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What is allowed in a glaze kiln:
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Clay, glaze, and underglaze that is formulated for Mid-Range firing.
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Wax resist and other decorating materials designed to burn off in the kiln.
What is NOT allowed in a glaze kiln:
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Clay, glaze, or other materials formulated for Low-Fire temperatures.
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Pieces that do not have a safe way to be free standing without glaze touching any other surfaces.
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Overly glazes pieces.
**If you have ANY questions about the guidelines above, do not hesitate to ask!**
The Fine Fine Print:
We reserve the right to refuse any pieces that we feel uncomfortable firing because of the safety of the kiln and the other artist's work.
We reserve the right to request proof that the materials used meet the above requirements.
If your work does not meet the above requirements and causes an issue in the kiln you may be charged additional fees.
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Common fees include:
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Kiln shelf damage, $20 –
If glaze touches the kiln shelf it is most likely very damaging to the shelf. We then have to spend time repairing the shelf or replacing it.
Damage to other artists would in the kiln, $their full firing cost whatever it may be –
If your pieces damage other artist's work then you will be paying for their firing. However, this can only compensate for the normal cost of firing, it does NOT cover their time, efforts, and material costs.
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