Wood Fired Pottery

There are several methods of firing pottery. Mark fires his pottery in an electric kiln to cone 10 (2345°F), we fire to cone 6 at the store which is a little less hot. Some people use gas kilns and some use wood.

When firing with wood, the pottery is introduced to flame, soot, smoke and ash which transforms the appearance of the pottery. It is a challenging and time consuming process. Many potters who use wood fire collaborate with other artists and fire their pieces together in a special kiln only a few times a year.

The firing process lasts for about 100 hours and the potters and other volunteers must continuously stoke and feed the fire until it reaches 2000+°F. The type of wood used, the glazes and even where the pot is placed in the kiln affects the piece's final look. Wood fired pottery is unique and no two pieces are exactly alike.

Two of the potters that we have in the store, use this method to fire their pottery.

Andy Lewis-Lechner enjoys the accidental features of wood firing and the cool effects of each piece.

Quinn Bougher's bottles have a more classic appearance but the same surprising elements to his vessels.

Quinn also fires some of his pieces in a gas kiln for a more refined look.