WOOD FIRING WORKSHOP

Once again, Sawmill Pottery will be teaming up with Kevin Ryan at his home and studio in Ellington, CT for a wood firing in his kiln.

 Firing with Kevin offers us the unique opportunity to fire with the amazing effects that only atmospheric firings, such as wood can offer. For some, this is just a fancy and very difficult way to get brown pots, but for many of us it is so much more. This process truly puts you into the thick of the firing, a part of the process that is often overlooked in electric kilns.

 For those of you who have never attended a wood firing before, it is a very hands-on experience, not for the timid, lazy or faint of heart. We will be actively stoking (putting wood into) an active firing as it approaches over 2300*F. The day of loading will also require all participants to be active in the cutting, moving and stacking of 2 cords of wood. The unload day will require lots of kiln shelf scraping (each shelf is left with a layer of ash turned to glass that must be removed) and re-painting of the kiln wash. While all of this is a lot of work, it’s also an amazing process that we are lucky Kevin offers us, and the pieces come out like no others!

 The cost of the workshop is $240 plus $35 per bag of clay. You’ll have the opportunity to fire at least 10-20 pots each, depending on size. The cost includes firing fees. However, if you purchase clay somewhere else, you must pay 1/2 firing fees.

 Woodfiring requires the combined efforts of the entire group.

Attendance is mandatory for each of the dates of the workshop. If you are not available for one or more of the dates, please speak with David before registering. Depending on which date you’d have to miss, there may be ways that you can do the work ahead of time, or there will be a financial penalty. Please be understanding of this. If you do not show up, other people have to do your share of the work for you.

 Actual timing will be announced closer to the firing, but in general, hours will be:

Tuesday, November 14: 10-4ish

Saturday, November 18: you’ll have a 4-5 hour shift TBD

Saturday, November 25: 10-4ish

 There will also be a Wood Fire Surface class to go over some of the best options for our firing. This is not mandatory, but VERY highly recommended if you haven’t yet wood fired. You’ll want the information David will go over, especially before glazing.

 Interested?  Register ASAP– this will fill quickly.

CALL 860-963-7807  or STOP IN:  112 Main St. #14  Putnam, CT. 06260