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| Story of a Wood-fired Kiln In 1997, potter Jody Johnstone built a 20-foot long anagama kiln, styled after those she fired during a three-year apprenticeship in Bizen, Japan. Twice yearly, she invites three other potters to join her in firing over 800 pieces at her studio in Swanville (Belfast), Maine. I am fortunate to have been a member of her crew since 2003. Below, you will find some photos of the process. Enjoy! Photos courtesy of Joy Bridy |
We take great care in loading each piece
of unfired pottery onto strategically
placed shelves and supports. In fact, the
loading takes us 4 days! The pots are
largely unglazed, as they will be blanketed
with large amounts of wood ash that
accumulates over the 8-day firing. On
occasion, rice straw is loaded into the
pots- it later melts, creating enhanced
surfaces on the pieces.
of unfired pottery onto strategically
placed shelves and supports. In fact, the
loading takes us 4 days! The pots are
largely unglazed, as they will be blanketed
with large amounts of wood ash that
accumulates over the 8-day firing. On
occasion, rice straw is loaded into the
pots- it later melts, creating enhanced
surfaces on the pieces.
Once the pots have all been loaded into
the kiln, we start a small fire that begins
to burn at the front of the kiln. As each
day progresses, the kiln gains
temperature, peaking at about 2250
degrees Fahrenheit. Over these 8 days,
we burn over 5 cords of wood, keeping
the fire burning 24 hours a day. By the
final day, the flame makes its way from
the mouth of the kiln clear out the
chimney- a distance of over 25 feet!
the kiln, we start a small fire that begins
to burn at the front of the kiln. As each
day progresses, the kiln gains
temperature, peaking at about 2250
degrees Fahrenheit. Over these 8 days,
we burn over 5 cords of wood, keeping
the fire burning 24 hours a day. By the
final day, the flame makes its way from
the mouth of the kiln clear out the
chimney- a distance of over 25 feet!
After the last log is stoked, the kiln cools for a full
week before we know how anything looks! When
we finally brick down the door, we find many
beautiful (and occasionally quite crusty) new pots.
Each is extremely unique, as its specific placement
in the kiln determines the final result. At right,
you get a sense of just how large the kiln is, and the
enormity of our task!
week before we know how anything looks! When
we finally brick down the door, we find many
beautiful (and occasionally quite crusty) new pots.
Each is extremely unique, as its specific placement
in the kiln determines the final result. At right,
you get a sense of just how large the kiln is, and the
enormity of our task!
Even after all of the pots are
unloaded, our work is not done.
Each shelf and brick from the
kiln must be scraped clear of
wood-ash and wading, the clay
that separates the shelves from
the supports. Additionally, each
piece of pottery must be sanded
and washed to be ready for use.
It's a laborious process, but one
that we all enjoy thoroughly . . .
in fact, we're already looking
forward to the next firing!
unloaded, our work is not done.
Each shelf and brick from the
kiln must be scraped clear of
wood-ash and wading, the clay
that separates the shelves from
the supports. Additionally, each
piece of pottery must be sanded
and washed to be ready for use.
It's a laborious process, but one
that we all enjoy thoroughly . . .
in fact, we're already looking
forward to the next firing!
Potter David and firing buddy,
Mosey.
Mosey.
Proud kiln family- James, Daisy, potter Jody, and Gemma.
wood-firing
photos
becca's
earthenware
pots
photos
becca's
earthenware
pots
