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Special Feature:

Wood-Fired Stoneware

T

his year's collection includes pieces fired in a wood kiln

owned by one of the potters in the North Carolina

Professional Potter's Guild. A group of guild members got

together to do a group firing and learn more about the

process.

Imagine what it takes to build a wood fire to heat a small

room to 2400 degrees! That was the task we faced. It took

approximately 6 hours and lots of wood. Doing it in mid-

summer didn't help much either.

But the results of a wood firing - especially when adding

salt to the fire - are well worth it. The glazes and finishes can't

be produced

u

sing

any other method.

Included here are some pictures of both the process

and the results. I really enjoyed making them, and hope you

will enjoy them as well.

Stoking the fire early in the
day. It got much hotter...

You can see flames coming
out the front. Still not hot
enough...

Witness cones were watched
through a peephole to check
the temperature. They are
just starting to bend.

Finally hot enough. Salt is
added and white smoke
pours out of the chimney.

Two days later it is time
to unload. The door is
un-bricked to reveal
finished pots

Unloading is a relief. All
the hard work pays off.

One of two tables of
finished pots in all
shapes and sizes.

Happy potters!