A 3” x 4” porcelain mug thrown with black iron oxide nerikomi and with a nerikomi handle. This piece was salt fired, then gas fired, and the nerikomi went a cool speckled.

What is a salt fire and what is a soda fire you ask? 

These are atmospheric firing techniques using large outdoor gas kilns. I am a one year artist in resident at Medalta in Medicine Hat Alberta, and all the pieces in this drop have been made here! The pieces are fired for up to 24 hours, being checked and babied every hour. At the time of clay maturity (cone 10 usually), salt or soda ash is spray and dropped into the kiln atmosphere, volatilizing at the high temperatures and creating a glazed surface on the pieces in a reduction atmosphere (void of oxygen). No two firings are the same, and each piece is deeply unique. These pieces are an exploration of stains, oxides and earth.

Each piece is wheel thrown by hand and can vary slightly in size and colour from one to the next. Variations are to be embraced by the uniqueness of each piece and the nature of ceramic arts.