Fire With Me
WOODFIRING OFFERINGS
The Deets
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Cone 10 reduction, downdraft wood kiln
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Suitable for stoneware and porcelain
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Suitable for wheel-thrown or hand-built work only, no slip-cast work
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Booked by volume as "spaces", not by piece - you work out how much to bring based on the space you’ve booked
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Shared firing roster, with guidance and support throughout
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All materials, glazes, wood, and firing costs included
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A small number of firings take place each year
Who Is This For?
This firing is best suited to potters who:
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Enjoy collaborative processes
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Are comfortable with physical labour and being up at odd hours
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Value process and material dialogue over guaranteed results
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No prior wood-firing experience is required.
If you are looking for highly controlled or hands-off firings, this may not be the right fit.
Next Steps
If this firing feels like a good fit, the following page details:
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Upcoming firing dates
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Shelf sizes and heights
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How space in the kiln works and how to choose how much space you need
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Your investment and what is covered
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Overview of the firing timeline
Upcoming Firings
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1–3 May - Full
If you’d like to be notified when future firings open, you can join the mailing list below.
Understanding Kiln Space
The Kiln Shelves & Props
Full Shelf 72 x 39 cm
Half Shelf 62 x 21 cm
Half Shelf 36 x 39 cm
Treated as equivalent
Kiln Prop 6 x 6 cm
Birds Eye View: The position of these stacks can vary from firing to firing, depending on the shapes and sizes of the pots.
How They Fit Inside The Kiln
Firebox
Firebox
Chimney
Height Options
7.5 cm · 15 cm · 30 cm · 45 cm · 60 cm
The 45 cm and 60 cm heights are positioned at the top of the kiln, as there are no props for these heights. They are limited to two full shelves and one half shelf per firing.
7.5 cm
30 cm
60 cm
45 cm
15 cm
Side View: The exact layout will vary depending on the pots, but 45 cm and 60 cm shelves are always at the top, with their arrangement changing from firing to firing.
Front View
Side View
Your Investment
There are five different space options available. You’re welcome to combine different options, or book more than one of the same, subject to availability.
Under each space option below, you’ll see the shelf configurations that make up that volume, alongside a 3D model showing all of these configurations together to help translate the measurements into something easier to visualise.
To explore the models below:
Click play to activate the model, then drag to look around. Use two fingers on a trackpad, or scroll with a mouse, to zoom in and out.
Scroll through the slider to view each space option and its shelf configuration.
What is covered by your investment
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All pre-firing preparation, including preparing the kiln, shelves, materials, and firing space
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All raw materials: glazes, kiln wash, wadding, and wood
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My time and experience in packing the kiln and throughout the firing
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Lyle’s time and experience assisting with preparation, packing, and firing
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The opening of my home and studio, and time away from my own work
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Wear and tear on kiln furniture
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Wear and tear on firing equipment, including the thermocouple, pyrometer, PPE, and fire extinguisher servicing
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Wear and tear on the kiln itself
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Pre-making guidance - live online meeting with slide presentation on appropriate clay bodies and forms for woodfiring, with reference images
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Unpacking the kiln and returning the studio to working order
The Firing Timeline
Everyone with work in the kiln takes part in the firing roster, sharing responsibility for adding wood. Shifts are done in pairs and usually run between one and three hours, depending on the number of participants. We guide and support the process throughout, with final decisions resting with us to ensure the integrity of the firing.
The firing takes place over three days.
Day 1
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Introduction to the kiln and the woodfiring process
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Overview of glazing and wadding
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Glazing and wadding pots
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Begin packing the kiln
Day 2
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Complete the kiln pack
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Light the fire in the afternoon
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Rest during the preheat (approx. 4 hours)
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Begin firing in the evening / night
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Fire through the night
Day 3
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Continue firing until cones are down
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Firing should end between late afternoon and around 10:00 pm
Meals
I can arrange catering for one to two meals per day with our local caterer, Ronel Smidt (@rustic_ronnie). This will be discussed with the group in advance and charged separately.
