Reduction Firing

Reduction firings are a practice of controlling oxygen reduction within kiln. All the work is bisque fired and then glazed. The firing takes approximately 12-13 hours to reach the temperature of 2345 degrees F.

Wood Firing

Wood firings are similar to reduction firings in basic principle. However, the differences between them are the length of firing time and the fuel used - various types of wood. The wood produces a bi-product of ash, which during the firing lands on all of the pots and changes how the glazes look. The length of firing time is very arbitrary. Wood fire potters typically fire anywhere from one day to two weeks. I typically fire for 50-55 hours. The reason being the longer you fire, the more ash deposits are on the pots. This results in a very different look with the increased time of firing.

Pit Firing

Pit fire ware is basically non-functional, meaning strictly an aesthetic format of pottery. This is because the temperature at which the pot is fired results in the clay body remaining porous and therefore no liquids can be used within the object. The pit fire ware is made, air dried, and burnishing compound known as terra sigillata is added and then burnished. The ware is then bisque fired to approximately 1800 degrees F, arranged in a pit and various chemicals such as sawdust, salt, vegetable matter, copper sulfate, iron sulfate, MiracleGro, copper mesh, etc are placed in the pit with the wares. This is necessary to achieve the unusual surface content as they reacts on the surface terra sigillata. This firing takes approximately 24 hours. The ware is packed with chemicals in sawdust and wood and then ignited. Once it reaches its approximated top temperature it is choked off with a sheet of metal and allowed to smolder overnight. The next day it is unveiled, cleaned and I personally use a stone and tile sealer, which brightens the colors and seals the surface.

All tour and festival showings include further discussion and often demonstration of these process and making of the ware. For information on these events, please visit the contact page.