Saggar Firing In the Gas Kiln
Saggar Firing In the Gas Kiln
This is a two part class, with very limited enrollment (10 for each session on Thursday)
Making Saggars: Thursday, September 24 1:00PM-4:00PM OR 6:00PM-9:00PM
Opening Saggars and Finishing Work: Saturday, September 26 1:00PM-4:00PM
Skill Level: All Levels (you need to be able to bring your own bisqued work)
Join us for a special two session Saggar Firing event! You'll learn about firing in paper+slip saggars to develop beautiful atmospheric surfaces on ceramic works. In the first session, ceramicist Stephen Homer will teach you how to select materials, create saggars through layering paper and slip, and then fire your works in the gas kiln. In the second session you'll get to crack open your saggars, clean them up, and apply a finish to help seal them and preserve their beautiful colours.
Saggars are closed containers used to fire work, creating a firing environment different from that of the kiln. This method uses various combustibles and metallic compounds applied around a piece and then protected by layers of slip and paper to keep the fumes trapped around your piece to create an environment similar to that found in a pit or barrel firing. The results are etheral and wispy, sometimes bold, and always with an element of unpredictability and surprise!
This is a two part class, with very limited enrollment (10 for each session on Thursday)
Making Saggars: Thursday, September 24 1:00PM-4:00PM OR 6:00PM-9:00PM
Opening Saggars and Finishing Work: Saturday, September 26 1:00PM-4:00PM
Skill Level: All Levels (you just need to be able to bring your own bisqued work)
Join us for a special two session workshop event! You'll learn about firing in paper+slip saggars to develop beautiful atmospheric surfaces on ceramic works. I'm the first session, ceramicist Stephen Homer will teach you how to select materials, create saggars through layering paper and slip, and then fire your works in the gas kiln. In the second session you'll get to crack open your saggars, clean them up, and apply a finish to help seal them and preserve their beautiful colours.
The cost of the class includes materials and firing for TWO bisqued pieces not to exceed 18 inches in any dimension. We recommend using a white or light firing cone 6 or cone 10 clay (porcelains work wonderful) or coating your piece in white slip prior to bisque firing. We do NOT recommend applying terra sig or heavily burnishing your pieces as this can interfere with color absorption. All pieces must be bisque fired prior to the class! Simple and smooth forms tend to work the best and are easier to prepare.
Saggars are closed containers used to fire work, creating a firing environment different from that of the kiln. This method uses various combustibles and metallic compounds applied around a piece and then protected by layers of slip and paper to keep the fumes trapped around your piece to create an environment similar to that found in a pit or barrel firing. The results are etheral and wispy, sometimes bold, and always with an element of unpredictability and surprise!
Included with class:
Basic materials for creating your saggars (slip, paper, copper wire, steel wool, etc)
Firing of work
You need to bring:
Two bisque fired pieces made with white or light firing cone 6 or cone 10 clay that do not exceed 18 inches in any dimension
(Optional) You make bring additional combustible materials to experiment with (these should all be thoroughly dried); Coffee grounds, banana peels, citrus peels, avocado peels, spent tea
