Wednesday April 17,24, May 1, 8, 3:30 to 6pm, in class days. 

 Saturday June 1, 10am to 4pm, firing day, June 2 , 11 to 1pm revealing and cleaning day. 

The class will run on 4 consecutive Wednesdays from 3:30 to 6:00 pm, with a 2-week pause for finishing and bisque firing before ending with a full day Saturday outdoor firing session and a shorter unpacking and cleaning session the next day. Included in the price will be emailed PDF handouts and articles outlining alternative firing processes. Each class will start with a "demo and discussion" and then the balance of the class will be guided assistance as participants make their pieces. This firing process exposes pieces to environmental conditions that put a lot of stress on the work. Some experience with hand-building and/or wheelwork and a general understanding of the properties of clay and the firing process is important. 

The first three classes will cover:

- an overview of smoke firing processes including an opportunity to interact with sample pieces and pursue some reference books. Participants will be encouraged to explore ideas for adding combustibles to use in their work, so that they may begin collecting and drying them over the 6 weeks. 

- Considerations for making pieces suitable to the smoke firing process, including notes on building for durability (clay bodies, clay forming "do's and don'ts", joining methods...) and aesthetic design considerations. 

- The last class will cover considerations for finishing the work before bisque firing, including the application of terra sigillata and burnishing methods.

On the firing day, participants will be led through the process of:

- wrapping their pieces for firing ( adding oxides, salts, metals, and organics and wrapping in foil.

- preparing the brick "pit", and the barrels with layers of combustible materials and wrapped ceramic pieces. 

-lighting and monitoring the fires. 

The following day:

- removing, cleaning, and finishing the final pieces

- ending with a general discussion of the results. 

Note: Please bring a respirator or N95 mask and disposable gloves to the firing day.

Which will take place at Cathi Jefferson's studio.

Masks are now optional. Still, sanitize when entering the studio. Bring your own apron and hand towels to take home, please.

Instructor: Irene Ives

Min: 4 people  Max: 8 people

Cost: $210.00 + GST ( 10.50) = 220.50  Clay sold separately on the first day of class. ( M370 ) + GST.  1 bag. 

Clay prices are subject to change without notice. 

Email instructor for waiting list if class is full: irene@ireneiveshandiworks.ca