Celebrating a Milestone: My First Kiln Hire Experience

A New Chapter in My Kiln Journey

This week marked a special milestone: for the first time, someone hired my kiln! I’m thrilled with how everything turned out, though I’ll admit—I was a little nervous.

Frida brought me a selection of her hand-built pieces. Among them was a large terracotta pot that had a rather alarming crack inside the base. I was genuinely concerned it might not survive the firing. I felt I had to offer her the option to remake it before spending money on kiln time. But Frida was confident. She told me she had "reinforced" it and was happy to take the risk. I remained skeptical—especially since I wasn’t familiar with the clay she'd used.

Researching the Right Clay

She had sourced a terracotta clay from a well-known online marketplace. This meant I had to do my homework. Every clay behaves differently in the kiln. Firing at the wrong temperature can lead to disaster. After thoroughly researching the clay, I decided to proceed—but with caution.

The Firing Process

I gave the kiln an extended bisque firing. I gradually increased the temperature by 60°C per hour for the first 10 hours. Then, I ramped it up over the final two hours to reach cone 06 (around 1000°C). That’s a total of 12 hours—long and careful, but worth it.

The Results: A Pleasant Surprise

The results? Surprisingly fantastic! Even the large pot with the crack came out beautifully. In fact, the crack seemed to shrink—which is a first for me.

Frida is collecting her pieces tomorrow, and I think she’ll be thrilled.

Pricing and Future Plans

For anyone interested, I charge £17 for a shelf's worth of bisque firing or £34 for a full kiln. This has been such a rewarding experience. I’m excited to open up kiln hire to more makers in the future!

The Importance of Community

Building a community of makers is essential. Sharing knowledge and resources can lead to incredible outcomes. By offering kiln hire, I hope to foster creativity and collaboration among local artists.

Conclusion: Looking Ahead

As I reflect on this experience, I am filled with gratitude. It’s not just about firing clay; it’s about building connections. I look forward to seeing how this venture evolves.

If you're interested in kiln hire or have questions about the process, feel free to reach out. Together, we can create beautiful pieces of art!

For more information, check out my kiln hire services.

This journey has just begun, and I can't wait to see where it leads!