Soda Firing Workshop | Joy Tanner & Will Baker

Wood Song Pottery
Bakersville, NC
June 13-15, 2025

This 3 day weekend workshop will allow participants the opportunity to engage deeply with the soda firing process, using a gas fired soda kiln that holds 20 cubic feet of pottery and will be fired to Cone 10.  Students bring their own bisqueware and glaze on the first day, load the kiln on Friday and Saturday morning, and fire the kiln Saturday through Sunday. Open discussions about soda firing, glazing and using flashing slips, loading kilns, firing kilns and the application of soda will be covered. This is a small group workshop with a maximum of 6 students.

Workshop Schedule
Friday: 9 am - 4 pm
Orientation
Glaze and wad pots.
Discussions on using and applying flashing slips and glazes for decorating your pots.
Start Loading Kiln if time allows

Saturday: 9 am - 4 pm
Loading Kiln
Kiln burners lit as soon as kiln loaded
Available time after loading could be devoted to soda kiln discussion, self-guided studio tours in the area of potters or galleries, or a group visit to a potter’s studio

Sunday: 9am until....
AM- Firing Soda Kiln
Firing Talk, Soda Application Talk
Clay Demonstrations if time allows
Complete the soda firing around midday- early afternoon
Kiln Unloading date TBA

Workshop participants can return the following week/weekend for the kiln unloading, or make other arrangements to retrieve your work from the kiln. Discussion of results of the firing during the unloading.

Workshop Details
Participants get up to 3-4 cubic feet of kiln space for their bisqueware, with bisqued pots not exceeding 12” in height or width. It’s best to think about bringing a variety of sizes of pots. If you bring too many large (tall or wide) pieces they are less likely to go in. 

Please make absolutely certain your clay is HIGH FIRE STONEWARE CONE 10 stoneware or porcelain.

We will have glazes and flashing slips and wadding available for you to use, and will give demonstrations about using and applying flashing slips, glazes, and we offer you active participation in the loading and the firing of the soda kiln. 

Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation up until 30 days before the first day of the workshop. If you need to cancel within the last 30 days of the workshop start date you will receive a refund of ½ the workshop fee.
If your workshop event is canceled by Wood Song Pottery due to unforeseen circumstances, you will receive a full refund.

Additional Information
Our studio is on the same property as our home. Lodging and meals are not provided, so it is recommended to bring your own lunch and snacks for the 3 days as the nearest eatery is at least 15-30 minutes away.  We are located 10 minutes from Penland School of Craft, many other artist studios and galleries, and numerous natural treasures for hiking and swimming. Ask us for recommendations!

Things to Bring
Notebook
Sponges and brushes for glazing and waxing
Kiln goggles
Optional-kiln gloves
Snacks/Lunch/Drinks