Firing Services

$10.00

Firing Services for Non-Members / Non-Students

This fee is for artists who are not Members or Students of Community Clay but wish to have items fired in our kilns.
All clay must be purchased from Community Clay to be eligible for firing.

Click here to purchase clay.

Drop-Off Procedure

Please book your drop off appointment here. When you arrive, please fill out the Firing Form provided. Include:

  • Your first and last name

  • Your chop mark

  • Your order number

Wareboards without completed forms will not be fired.

Wareboard size: 8” × 18” × 3” tall
This pricing is approximate and based on space used. Items may be any size or shape — we’ll review sizing and costing together when you arrive.
Please do not prepay for firing.

Note: Plates or other low items are considered a minimum of 3” tall due to shelf spacing requirements.

For larger work or kiln rentals, click here.

Firing Guidelines

Bisque Firing

  • All greenware must be completely bone dry before drop-off. You may stack greenware- I will go over this with you at drop off. Due to flashing, I do not recommend stacking items with underglaze.

  • If an item explodes in the kiln due to moisture, a kiln cleaning fee of $50 will apply.

  • If the wrong clay body or temperature is used, you will be responsible for all damages, including replacement costs for the kiln if necessary.

  • Bisque firings are done to cone 04.

  • For alternate temperatures, please email to arrange.

Glaze Firing

  • If you’re using your own glazes, please email product links for approval before drop-off. No stacking.

  • We strongly recommend testing glazes first, as results can vary between kilns (similar to how baking differs between ovens).
    You can make test tiles or fire a small sample bowl with all your glazes applied.

  • If you are using underglazes, please test them with your (or our) clear glaze.

  • We glaze fire to a hot cone 5.

If you’d like to use Community Clay glazes, you can either:

  • Attend a Glaze Workshop, or

  • Have Gabrielle glaze your items for you.
    Gabrielle’s glazing fee depends on the time required ($10–$100) plus the glaze and firing fee.

Payment & Refunds

Firing fees are due at drop-off and are non-refundable, even if pieces crack, warp, or break during the firing process.
If a piece damages the kiln (e.g., due to glaze run-off or incorrect clay temperature), the artist will be responsible for associated cleaning or repair costs.

If ongoing support is required in person or via email, additional admin fees will be required.

Glaze Testing & Approval

All glazes and underglazes must be suitable for cone 5–6 mid-fire temperatures.
Please test glazes before using them on large or complex work — you may include small test tiles at no charge.
Glazes that run, bubble, or damage kiln shelves will incur a cleaning fee of $25–$100.

Damaged or Broken Work

We handle all items with care, but pottery is fragile and unpredictable in the kiln.
Cracked or broken pieces will still incur the full firing fee, as kiln space and materials were used during the process.

Drop-Off & Pick-Up Schedule

After firing, you’ll receive an email when your items have been bisque fired — typically within 2–10 business days of drop-off. Please book your pick up appointment here. Please collect your work within one week of receiving the firing email.

We recommend picking up as soon as possible to prevent damage or loss.
Remember to bring your own packaging when collecting work.

Community Clay reserves the right to dispose of items left beyond the one-week deadline, though this is rarely enforced.

Work Collection by Proxy

If you cannot collect your work personally, you may arrange Work Collection.
This service must be paid for in advance and is charged per box (maximum 15 items per box).
Please email photos of your pieces, and once they’re ready, you’ll receive a booking link for pick-up.

Studio Etiquette

  • The door locks promptly at the start of each class. Please do not attempt to enter once classes begin.

  • Please do not knock or disrupt Members or Staff during class time — you will be turned away.
    (No exceptions.)

Liability

Community Clay cannot guarantee the success of fired work.
While we do our best to ensure safe handling, you are responsible for your own pieces.
Community Clay is not responsible for lost, misplaced, stolen, or broken items.

Agreement

By dropping off work at Community Clay, you acknowledge and agree to all terms and conditions outlined above.