WOOD FIRING WORKSHOPS

Date: Saturday - February 7, 2026

Time: 10:00 am - 3:30 pm

(Loading will start at 10:00 and firing will begin around 11:00. Typically, this kiln fires in about 4 or 4 and a half hours.

Location: Faison, North Carolina.

Halfway between Raleigh and Wilmington, NC.

Signup Deadline: February 1, 2026

Rocket Kiln Wood-Firing Workshop

Experience the power, unpredictability, and beauty of wood firing in this hands-on Rocket Kiln Workshop. Designed for ceramic artists eager to explore atmospheric firing, this fast-paced experience offers direct engagement with fire, ash, and flame to create bold, unpredictable surfaces.

Participants will take part in every stage of the process—loading, firing, and unloading—while learning how clay bodies, slips, placement, and firing decisions shape finished work. Rocket kilns fire quickly and efficiently, producing naturalistic results that can’t be replicated in electric or gas kilns.

You’ll gain:

• Practical experience firing a rocket kiln

• Insight into wood-firing process

• Strategies for loading and surface planning

• A deeper understanding of atmospheric firing

Perfect for curious beginners and experienced potters alike, this workshop emphasizes learning by doing and embraces the risk and reward that define wood-fired ceramics.

Spaces are limited. Expect fire, experimentation, and one-of-a-kind results.

FAQ:

Do I need prior wood-firing experience?

No. This workshop is open to beginners and experienced potters. First-time wood firers are welcome.

How long is the workshop?

The firing runs approximately 4 and a half hours, plus loading in the morning. Unloading happens the following day.

Do I need to attend the unloading?

Attendance is optional. You may attend the unloading or pick up your work from the studio the following week.

How much work should I bring?

Participants may bring 4-6 pieces. Mugs and cups, or pieces of similar size to a mug are best. Everyone will get some work in the kiln, and we will fit in as much as we can from each participant.

Do I need to glaze my work beforehand?

Yes. All work must be bisque fired and glazed or slipped prior to the firing.

Can I glaze at your studio?

Yes. An optional glazing and prep night will be offered a few days before the firing. You may use my studio glazes, or bring your own and glaze here at the studio, we will also talk a bit about prepping wadding and other materials for the firing.

Do I have to glaze my work?

No. I would recommend glazing the insides of functional work with a liner glaze while leaving the exterior of the clay bare, this shows more pronounced flame markings.

What types of clay and glazes are recommended?

This will be a CONE 10 firing. Stoneware clay bodies and simple, wood-fire-safe glazes or slips are recommended.

Recommended Clay Bodies, these are commonly available through local clay suppliers:

Soldate 60 - darker and more textural

B-mix woodfire clay - lighter color, smoother, and shows flashing well

Starworks Clays - they have a variety of options available; I would recommend Star White 10 or Star White 10 Coarse

What should I wear?

Wear natural fibers (cotton, wool, or denim), closed-toe shoes, and clothes suitable for heat, ash, and sparks.

Will my work be fired to a specific cone?

The kiln will be fired to cone 10, but exact cone results may vary across the kiln.

Is this workshop physically demanding?

Yes. Participants should be comfortable standing for long periods and working around heat.

What if my piece is damaged or doesn’t turn out as expected?

Wood firing is unpredictable by nature, and variation or loss is part of the process. While we do everything we can to ensure a successful firing, final results can’t be guaranteed—and surprises are part of what makes wood firing special.