Where imagination forms.

Trapping Carbon and other Dirty Tricks:
A Shino Firing with Malcolm Davis

Saturday & Sunday, January 7 & 8, 2006   9am - 4pm
Kiln Opening and Pot Luck Saturday January 14, 2006 6pm - 10pm
$220 for the three day workshop.

Shino-type glazes are among the most ephemeral and unpredictable glazes. They break all the rules for high-fire glazes. Shino surfaces can vary from thick, pockmarked, fat marshmallow to soft, luscious semi-matte to warm citron-skin peachy salmon.

And THEN there's the magic and drama of carbon-trapping.  Shinos are technical renegades; they craze, crawl and pinhole, but what they lack in correctness they offer in rich variation and unparalleled aesthetics.

We will begin with a overview of the history of shino-type glazes from the early shinos of 16th century Japan to the American shinos of today, followed by a slide lecture.. We will then work in teams to mix and test a variety of shino-type formulas. The second day will be spent in glazing pots and loading the kiln. for a carbon-trap firing.

The workshop will include discussion of glaze mixing, application and drying techniques, kiln placements and firing schedules.  Participants are asked to bring at least a half dozen small to medium-sized bisqued pots (no giant platters or really tall pieces please) made with a cone 10 clay body (porcelain and white stoneware are recommended), as well as at least 24 free-standing test tiles.  If available, bring any shino formulas to share with the group, as well as a couple of shino pots to be discussed.

We will return the following Saturday for a pot luck gathering to unload and celebrate the firing.

Call or email quickly to reserve your space!