Studio Management

Workshops 3-15-25 & 3-29-25

Things went pretty well. We covered most of the things on the agenda posted below.

Amelia Oleander shot some videos and I am posting them on the right.

Dan made some to follow up on questions and they are posted below. 

  • Advantages of having your own studio
  • Advantages of having a co-op Studio
  • Economics of having a studio in your home
  • Economics of a co-op
  • The cost of taking classes as a student

Firing

  • Lighting or starting the electric kiln
  • Ventilation
  • Fan
  • Curtain
  • Window
  • Leather hard
  • Bone dry
  • Thickness
  • Nesting
  • Protecting the elements protecting the probe
  • Spacing of pots
  • Types of kill shelves
  • Types of posts
  • Arranging posts one above the other
  • Stability of stack
  • Monitoring firing
  • Keeping records
  • Reduction and oxidation
  • Wi-Fi remote firing
  • Caring for kill shelves
  • Loading the glaze kill
  • Kiln repair
  • Types of firing, soda, Raku, reduction, oxidation, pit, and microwave. 

Glazing

  • Glazes in jars
  • Dry glaze
  • Prices
  • Formulating glazes
  • Equipment needed for mixing glaze
  • Process of mixing glazes
  • Storage of glazes
  • Problems with glazes
  • Settling out
  • Too thick too thin
  • Viscosity
  • Knowing your glazes
  • Finding good glaze combinations
  • Talking to other potters who is glaze as you like for recommendations
  • Setting up a studio at home
  • Blog pages on Fireborn site
  • Information on Clay Pittsburgh site on Studio space is available classes available, etc.
  • Shelving
  • How to dry pots

Clay Pittsburgh

Clay Pittsburgh is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the ceramic arts for artists, learners, and the community through education, exhibitions, retail opportunities, and artist services. It can be a great resource for you. Read More