A limited number of spaces are available to share the use of the kiln on this upcoming wood firing. Bookings are open to WSP members only.
Friday 10 June: prep shelves and kiln
Saturday 11th June: packing kiln
Sunday 12th June: firing kiln
You will need to bring at least a banana box amount of work for the kiln.
The total cost for a standard wood firing is $570. A deposit of $30 by every team member must be paid in advance to secure their space in the firing. The balance of the fee ($270) is to be distributed throughout the members based on how much space they have in the kiln. The fire master is in charge of distributing the $270 between the team is to be paid at the end of the loading day, before firing. Cost includes glaze materials, wood, contribution to kiln maintenance, studio use, admin and firemaster fees.
Unloading of the kiln will take place on Friday 17 June.
Improtant note from the Firemaster, Ginny Lane:
To potential participants:
Welcome to the first 2022 WSP Phoenix wood firing event. Covid-19 put paid to several firings last year so we are hoping that nothing will delay this one. WSP policy for these firings is to develop fire masters for the future (some of us are getting rather long in the tooth!) We will have two trainees at this event, Alex Wilkinson and Emma Meyers. They will be given responsibility and assistance as needed to develop their skills and confidence.
Whether this is your first wood-firing experience or you are a seasoned Phoenix fan, here are some points for you to consider/remember before enrolling:
- The firing process takes 3 days. Day 1 – preparation (wood organisation, shelf and prop washing, wadding prep); Day 2 – wadding and loading pots into the kiln; Day 3 – firing. You will be involved in all 3 days.
- Your pots need to be made from high firing stoneware clay. Some clays are labelled as “stoneware” but are in fact mid-firing clays. Please check – clays used need a firing range up to at least 1280C. Once enrolled we will send you a list of suitable clays available at WSP; also, information on using 1:1:1 slip and Bauer slip at the leather hard or bisque stage. You must be able to identify the clay used for it to be accepted into the kiln. We will also send you some guidelines as to suitable sizes and shapes of pots.
- Sorry, no previously fired pots (i.e. re-fires) will go into the kiln.
- Please ensure you use only cone 10 glazes. Appropriate WSP Studio glazes are identified by “stoneware” written on the bucket lid.
- Sarah and I think it will add a further level of excitement to have a “Phoenix Throw Down” challenge for this firing. It will be optional of course. More information on this will be sent after your enrolment is confirmed.
I’m always excited by an upcoming wood firing and look forward to mingling with like-minded potters!
Ginny Laneless
