Member and Non-member Firing and Glazing - please read this thoroughly before bringing in work to get fired.

Custom Firing Services and Fees

We are a small community studio and offer custom electric (oxidation) firing services for Cone 5/6 clay and glazes. We bisque fire primarily to 04, and occasionally to 05; the glaze fires primarily to Cone 5 and occasionally to Cone 5 and 9. We do require proof that your clay is Cone 5/6 (photo of the label, sales receipt).  

Firing Fees: (based on Skutt 1027 Kiln size)

Minimum charge ………….........  $10

1/4 shelf................................…............ $14

1/2 shelf...............................……............ $18

One Full shelf ..................................... $22 

Two Full shelves ............................. $26

1/4 Kiln load....................................... $30

1/2 Kiln load....................................... $40

Full Kiln load....................................... $65

* Custom Temperature full load only…$75 (custom firing temperatures up to Cone 7)

Work must be bone dry for us to fire it. For glazed work we require at least ¼-½” unglazed area at the bottom of pieces and will refuse to fire “uncleaned” bottoms. 

We do not prioritize work for firings - we load what fits in the kiln and do our best to get a little of every artist’s work in each load. Please allow at least 2 weeks for your work to be fired once it is left on the shelf.  Keep in mind each firing, i.e. bisque and glaze, should be taken into account when assessing your deadlines. If you are not satisfied with a piece upon completion please remove it from the studio. Clay purchased from studio includes firing up to 20 medium size pieces per month. Over that amount we consider it production pottery and you will need to pay for firings (see sheet on the kiln room door or online for pricing).

Small items: Items less than 4” are very hard to pick up with big gloves when fired and are time consuming to load. Thus we require makers to bring them in on “cookies.” Please note we need to minimize the amount of kiln shelf space needed and try to get a little of all artists work in each load.

Oversize items: The studio charges for large pieces (over 8” tall, 10” in diameter or 4 lbs which take a lot of shelf space) - see firing rates. These items will be invoiced based on how much shelf space they take (such as platters and large bowls). We require the maker to put a “cookie” under it that fits the entire size of the object glaze fires.

For approved outside clay or non member/noncurrent student firing please see our firing sheet (above) to determine firing price. We can pro-rate shelves less than the size pricing.

Bisqueware can be stacked to conserve space and electricity.

We fire regularly at least every 2 weeks, and post kiln fire dates on our website.  From loading to unloading it can take up to 48 hours, depending on how fast the kiln cools. Please keep in mind that one glaze may be stable alone but layered with another glaze may really run.  Know your glaze.

If glaze runs we charge $35 per incident for damaged shelves or damage to our kilns, and $25/hour for scraping/breaking off glaze stuck to our shelves. 

Beads/jewelry must pre approved and if required to hang the maker must place them on high temperature rod and brought in on bead bars for us to fire. 

All work left after 14 days of notice will be discarded. If you cannot return in that timeframe please contact us to make a plan.

Please note - firing can have unpredictable results. Your pieces may crack, break, warp or the glaze may not turn out as you expected. If the unforeseen happens in the kiln(s), (such as a piece exploding due to too much water when it was worked or an air bubble) you will still be held responsible for the firing fees.