I don’t glaze my pots the atmosphere in the kiln does that for me. Wood ash and soda ash move violently through our Kazegama kiln leaving their influence on the surfaces of my pots. celebrate what the kiln offers and it is always a delightful surprise. When placing the pots in the kiln I am intentional to consider the movement of the flame around and between the pots. This process is an exciting collaboration between me, the cross draft, fire, and wood and soda ash. The clay bodies I use also influence the results I get from the kiln. I rarely use flashing slips just allowing the kiln to have it’s way. It is a beautiful surrender.
Wood firing also creates community. It requires many hands, shared labor, and collective patience. Loading take a team, warming the kiln is slow, adding wood ash and soda ash is a shared process, and then celebrating the transformation together builds deep connections among the team. These firings become shared experiences, woven with conversation, problem-solving, shared meals, and celebration. The kiln not only changes the pots; it builds relationships that can last a lifetime.
