Firing Services- Large Items & Kiln Firings

$1.00

Firing Services for Non-Members and Non-Students

This service 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 qualify for firing.
Click here to purchase clay.

Preparing for Drop-Off

For ease of drop-off, please have a list of your items and their sizes ready to fill out our firing form upon arrival.

  • Bisque items must be completely BONE DRY.
    If an item explodes in the kiln due to moisture, a $50 kiln cleaning fee will apply.

  • If items are made with the wrong clay temperature, you will be charged for all damages, including kiln replacement if necessary.

  • We fire Bisque to cone 04 and Glaze to a hot cone 5.
    If you would like a different temperature, please email in advance.

  • Glazed items that drip onto kiln shelves will incur a cleaning fee of $25–$100.

Glaze Approval

If you’re using your own glazes, please email links to the products for approval before drop-off. Only mid-fire cone 5–6 glazes are permitted.
We strongly recommend testing glazes before use, as results can vary between kilns.
Any glaze that runs, bubbles, or damages kiln shelves will result in a cleaning fee ($25–$100).

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

  • Attend a Glaze Workshop, or

  • Request Gabrielle’s glazing service ($10–$100 depending on time required, plus glaze and firing fees).

Pricing per Inch

On the firing form provided, please record the width, length, and height of each piece.
Then multiply the total square inches by the rate below to calculate the cost:

  • Bisque Firing: Square Inches × $0.04

  • Glaze Firing (using your own glazes): Square Inches × $0.06
    Glaze not included.

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

After calculating all items, round up and add the Admin Fee to your total.

Custom quotes are available for oversized work or special projects — please contact us for details.

Kiln Rental

We offer half and full kiln rentals. The sizing below refers to the bottom (first) shelf.
We can add up to 5–6 shelves depending on your work; please note that each shelf requires 2x2" posts.
Half firings may be arranged vertically or horizontally, depending on your pieces.

  • Bisque Kiln: Approximately 27" wide, accommodating items up to 19" tall.

  • Glaze Kiln: Approximately 21" wide, accommodating items up to 24" tall.
    (We can also bisque fire in the glaze kiln for larger pieces — please inquire for pricing.)

Turnaround Time

Average turnaround time is 2–10 business days, depending on studio capacity and kiln scheduling.
Please note that rush firing is not available at this time.

Drop-Off & Pick-Up Schedule

Please book your drop-off appointment here.

After firing, you’ll receive an email when your items have been bisque fired — typically within 2–10 business days of drop-off.

Please collect your work within one week of receiving your firing email.

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

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 for 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.

Payment & Refunds

Firing fees are due upon drop-off and are non-refundable, even if items crack, warp, or break during firing.

If a piece damages the kiln, the artist is responsible for related cleaning or repair costs.

Damaged or Broken Work

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

Studio Etiquette

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

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

  • As an artist and instructor, Gabrielle is not at a computer from Friday–Monday, so responses may be delayed during that time. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Liability

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

Agreement

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