- I currently have openings for two more kilnshare clients. This firing service is for intermediate ceramic artists only. I typically fire twice monthly (bisque and glaze) and more during holiday seasons. See below for more kiln information.
- At this time I cannot provide high-production pottery firings. I recommend inquiring about a firing membership at a local studio instead.
- If new to ceramics, learn the basics at a local studio such as Not Another Pottery Studio (NAPS) in Eagle Rock. Clay can also be purchased here.
KILN DETAILS
- Skutt 1027 kiln. Large capacity; one shelf as well as full and half kiln pricing available. Watch a reel of the size and capacity here
- Turnaround time is 3 days. Weekend firings only. If dropping off the ceramic pieces on Friday, the bisque or glazeware may be picked up Monday/Tuesday afternoon.
- Location is in Mount Washington close to Highland Park, between downtown LA and South Pasadena, off the 110 FWY.
FIRING PRICING
All prices are subject to change. Cash or Zelle is preferred. if using Venmo there will be an added cost of $2-$5 for each transaction. The cost below is per firing. You will need at least two firings for a ceramic piece.
COST (updated January, 2025)
- $30 base price per firing (includes 1 shelf at 6″ tall pieces); $20 for each additional shelf thereafter
- $120 Half-kiln (*±3-4 shelves depending on height) for each firing. Pay with a credit card
- $220 Full Kiln (*±5-7 shelves depending on height ) for each firing. Pay with a credit card
- Rush firings: $30 additional cost per firing
- If not providing kiln cookies during a glaze fire, please add an additional $5 to the total cost.
- Large sculptural pieces will need an overnight kindle fire; additional $5 to the total cost
Please pay half at drop-off and the other half at pick-up. Please make sure to provide packaging materials!
GOOD TO KNOW
- The kiln is 21 in inches diameter and typically will fit 5-7 shelves depending on the height and width of the ceramic pieces you are firing
- In a bisque-ware firing I stack the pieces which accommodates more pieces. One shelf will get in about 8-10 cups/bowls each. However, if you have very tall and wide pieces (over 6 inches) fewer items will fit and more shelves and firings may be needed. This is especially true for glaze firings as the pieces cannot touch and have to be 1/2-1″ spaced out from each other (from both the sides and from the top shelf). For example, If only firing one tall piece the cost will be a total of $50 in cash ($30 base price+$20). This is due to the tall piece taking up an additional shelf space.
- Firing very few pieces? The base cost is $30 regardless.
- TIMELINE: I typically fire once per week (depending on demand) and on weekends only. Drop off by Friday afternoon for a Saturday/Sunday firing. It will be completed on Monday/Tuesday afternoon. (No firing during heatwaves or poor air quality).
- Slow and natural cool down timeline is 1,5 to 2 days depending on the weather. I don’t open the kiln until it has reached below 120ºF.
- In high demand and busy seasons such as before Christmas or Easter holidays I may also fire on weekdays
- If you have large sculptural pieces a “kindle fire” overnight before the Cone 04 bisqueware fire is necessary. There will be an additional fee of $5 to accommodate this.
- CLAY: Make sure both the clay and glazes are compatible with Cone 5/6. Add in the form below the type of clay and glaze you are using.
- TEMPERATURE: A witness cone is provided on each shelf to ensure kiln reaches the desired temperature. Please be aware that some sections provide more heat than others.
- BISQUEWARE: Bisque is fired at 04 and slow firing (14,5h). All pieces have to be bone dry at drop off (please allow at least 1 week of drying time prior).
- GLAZE FIRING (Cone 5-6). The firing is done at medium speed at cone 5 with a 10-minute hold (Cone 5.5). I also do cone 6 which is better for matte glazes. Let me know ahead of time if you require something else.
- No luster firings
- GLAZE FIRE: Make sure the bottom of your pieces are clean from glaze. Please limit runny glazes such as flux glazes. All glaze pieces must have at least 1/4″ inch clean area from the bottom and up. Leave more room if using flux glazes or heavy layers of glazes.
- KILN COOKIES (aka drip catchers): Please provide kiln cookies under each bisqueware piece for the glaze firings. Make sure to create these flat cookies ahead and include in the bisqueware firing or pay $5 for each glaze firing. You can also easily create them yourself. Buy the Mayco kiln wash on Amazon. Buy here. Then brush on two layers on one side of the bisqueware cookie.
- I also recommend including test tiles in each firing. These take up very little room and there will be no extra cost unless they are larger than 3 inches.
- PACKAGING: Please provide enough packaging material and boxes for your pieces. After a firing I carefully pack them up and store them on a shelf in a secure area. If you have very large and fragile items please plan accordingly.
- I also require a signed agreement that states that if using the wrong type of clay or glaze and there is damage to the kiln (and also glaze drips on the shelf) there will be a replacement and damage cost. (I.e. if using a non-compatible clay such as a low fire clay it will melt and ruin the kiln and can set the house on fire!). It’s important that this is understood. The hard cost of replacing a kiln shelf is $150+ and at least one hour of labor (cleaning and sanding), bricks $20 each, therma couple $100.
- PHOTOS: I take before and after photos of the process to guarantee that it’s been fired correctly.
PLEASE NOTE!
I am providing this service for others that are not as fortunate to have your own kiln but I am also not a community studio nor am I a non-profit business or want to do this for free, see this discussion on Reddit.
Please have in mind that for each firing there is a risk of damage. Cost of owning a kiln, the wear and tear and the need for replacement in future a portion of this embedded in the current firing price. It is just not only the cost of electricity! If using the wrong clay or high flux glazes that drip onto the shelf it is your responsibility to pay for the equipment replacements. My time is also precious and there is a major workload that is poorly understood when you don’t have your own kiln experience; from loading the kiln (which sometimes takes one hour), packing up the fired pieces, to sanding the shelves which has to happen on a regular basis or whenever there are glaze drippings.
Thank you for your understanding!
Sara
Request Kiln-Share Firing
Fill out the form if interested and we can discuss if it’s a good kiln share firing match. Please add in the comment field what type of clay and glaze is used so it is compatible.