​Soda Firing Opportunities

The next Cone 6 community soda firing lead by Ann Marie Cooper will be loaded Tues 4/19.

• All pots must be delivered and glazed by Mon 4/18
• Pots that will be bisqued at Burnish must be delivered & dry by Wed 4/13
• Kiln will be loaded Tues 4/19, Fired Wed 4/20, unloaded Sat 4/23

The next Cone 10 community soda firing lead by Heather Hitt & Zoe Petersen will be loaded Tues 5/17.

• All pots must be delivered and glazed by Mon 5/16
• Pots that will be bisqued at Burnish must be delivered & dry by Wed 5/11
• Kiln will be loaded Tues 5/17, Fired Wed 5/18, unloaded Sat 5/21

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Read through the below information and then if you do want space in the kiln please click the "Shop" button below to purchase kiln space or a sample pack.

• This is NOT a workshop, we are only offering space in the kiln right now. You will drop off your completed pieces and/or make an appointment to glaze/apply slips in the week before we load. We will have a very small crew completing the loading and firing to ensure we can maintain proper distancing and reduced exposure. We most definitely will have workshops in the future when it is safe to do so.
  • Instructions/Guidance: Within a week of when you purchase space in the kiln, you will receive an email with two PDF attachments that include very detailed guidance on how to make pieces and glaze pieces for soda. 
• Cost: Space in the kiln is sold in half cubic foot increments (12x12x6 inches) for $25 plus tax, up to 2 cubic feet per person. For frame of reference for size: one clay box with the flaps closed is 1/2 a cubic foot, one of our 14 x 24 inch ware boards stacked 5 inches tall is 1 cubic foot.​ Click here to download a PDF that shows some examples of what this volume of pots looks like. Space is reserved and fully paid for in advance by clicking on the Shop button below and completing the checkout process. 
  • Sample Pack - $20: This is available to Bellingham locals only and is a good option for those intrigued by Soda but who are not ready to commit to a lot of space yet. This option includes 5 pounds of cone 6 or 10 clay and however many pieces you make with it will go into the soda kiln. Cost includes bisque firing and access to the glazes and flashing slip.
  • Optional Services: for Participants who are not current students/members of Burnish and do not have access elsewhere. These are paid for separately at the time services are rendered. 
    • Bisque firing is $10/ cu ft.
    • Glaze appointments include access to the studio flashing slips and glazes are $15.
• Min/Max Dimensions: There is no minimum dimension, other than no small beads but it is a maximum of 10 pieces under 2 inches per person per firing. They do not take much space, but they take a ton of time.
  • Keep in mind that flat pieces like tiles and plates, especially THIN & flat pieces are more likely to warp.
  • Plates/flat things wider than 4 inches must not be glazed.
  • No more than one wide & short glazed bowl per unit (half cubic foot) per person.
  • Pieces must be under 14 inches tall and no more than 14 inches wide. Some exceptions can be made, but must be approved in advance.
• Glazes: We have a number of cone 10 glazes available for use and our regular cone 6 studio glazes look really good at cone 10 as well. We have 1 flashing slip available and will be testing several more. You are welcome to use your own glazes - several different commercial brands can handle reduction and go up to cone 10, including Mayco Stoneware and Amaco Potter's Choice.
• Cone:  The target cone is clearly identified in the registration process - we typically alternate between cone 6 and 10. 
• Clay: Technically any cone 6 clay can go into a cone 6 soda kiln, and any cone 10 clay works in a cone 10 soda kiln, but some look better than others. We have several that are known to be good for Soda available to purchase in the studio. We also have a flashing slip available that can go on bisque ware that will flash beautifully on top of any clay. 
  • Clay Bodies recommended for cone 6 soda: Clay bodies listed below are from Clay Art Center in Tacoma. Ones with an * are available for purchase at Burnish.
    • ​​​Porcelain: Rainier. We do not recommend NZ6 - it does not react well in soda at all. 
    • Stoneware: Swan Creek*, WMP*, or Oregon White* We do not recommend the CAC clay called Whitestone - it also does not react well in soda at all. 
    • Dark Clays: Naranja, or SMY*. We do not recommend Oregon Red* or Oregon Brown because they will bloat if kiln gets even a smidge too hot.
    • Sculpture Clay: Akio*
• Type of Soda Firing: We will be introducing Soda in solid/powder form (burritos). We will not be reduction cooling. If you do not know what any of that means then do not worry about it! Participating will help you learn more about the process.

Soda Firing

$20.00 - $25.00

CHANGE IN PROCESS:

• Space in the kiln is now sold in 1/2 cubic foot (cu ft) increments. Scroll to the bottom of the page for examples and more details on calculating volume. 
  • If you want 1/2 cu ft then purchase quantity: 1
  • If you want 1 cu ft purchase quantity: 2
• Each person can purchase a maximum of 2 cubic feet (quantity: 4)
• Space in the kiln is fully paid with this transaction, we no longer charge a 50% deposit and then the remainder after loading.
• No refund is provided if you do not bring enough pieces to fill the space you purchased.
• You may cancel all or a portion of your space up to 1 week prior to the drop off deadline for a full refund, minus a 6% processing fee. No refunds are provided less than 7 days prior to the drop off deadline.
• If you are not ready to commit to a volume of space, you are welcome to purchase a Sample Pack, which includes 5 lbs of clay and the glaze and firing fees for all the pieces you make from that clay.

Qty 1 = 0.5 cubic foot. (6 x 12 x 12)
Qty 2 = 1 cubic foot (12 x 12 x 12)
Qty 3 = 1.5 cubic feet (18x12x12)
Qty 4 = 2 cubic feet (24x12x12)

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