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Soda Firing Workshop

Soda Firing Workshop

$280.00 USD
$280.00 USD
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Age Requirement: We kindly ask that only participants aged 18 and over register for the workshop. The studio does not accept individuals under 18 for this session.

Limited spots only!

Members receive a 10% discount .

Experience: Beginner wheel throwing or handbuilding experience is required. 

Participation: Please note this is not a pick-up and drop-off firing service. Participants are expected to assist with preparation, loading, most of the firing process, unloading, and clean-up.
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This hands-on workshop is designed for potters who are new to atmospheric firing, as well as those with experience looking to explore a range of materials and facilities. Participants will receive one month of studio access at Spiffy Pottery Studio to create and bisque fire their work in preparation for the soda firing. With your bisqueware ready to go, we will travel to a soda firing facility located in San Gregorio, CA. Together, we’ll load the work into a soda gas kiln and dive into the art and science of soda firing through clay bodies, wadding, applying soda glazes and the chemistry of soda firing. 

Day 1 – Soda Firing Workshop Orientation

Saturday, August 15, 2026 • 2pm - 3pm

Location: Spiffy Pottery Studio, 1919 Menalto Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025

  • Introduction to Spiffy Pottery Studio
  • High fire clay distribution to participants
  • Brief introduction to soda firing
  • Rules and guidelines

Day 2 – Loading Day 

Sunday, October 18th, 2026 • 9am - 3pm (6 hours)

Location: San Gregorio, CA (address will be provided on Day 1)

  • Walk-through of the soda firing facilities
  • Overview of the firing process
  • Glazing your work
  • Wadding your work
  • Loading your work

Enjoy a day immersed in nature — bring food to enjoy on your own or to share.

Potluck is welcome!

Day 3 – Unloading Day 

Saturday, October 24th, 2026 • 9am - 12pm  (3 hours)

Location: San Gregorio, CA (address will be provided on Day 1)

Participants will help unload the kiln and discuss results, techniques, and surfaces. We’ll finish by resetting the kiln site together and tidying the workspace. The clean-up requires all participants to bring a mask.

The firing should yield a variety of colors and surfaces throughout the kiln, ranging from browns and grays to reds and pinks. Each piece will develop varied surfaces with both flashing and soda glaze effects.

Enjoy a day immersed in nature — bring food to enjoy on your own or to share.

Potluck is welcome!

Class Information

  • Fees include instruction, use of tools and equipment, bisque firing available only for pieces intended for soda firing, and one 12.5 lb bag of Santa Cruz White clay (cone 10).
  • Include open studio access from 10am to 10pm between August 15, 2026 and September 15, 2026.
  • Each participant receives one cubic foot of soda firing space and access to the onsite flashing slips, glazes, and oxide materials. Please note that each cubic foot of kiln space is allotted to one participant only.
  • No make-up classes are offered.
  • Bisqueware items must be picked up by October 17th, 2026. Items left unclaimed 15 days after the pickup email is sent may be discarded. Reasonable attempts will be made to contact you prior to disposal.

Clay Bodies: Please use only the clay we provide to create your pieces for this soda firing workshop. Low-fire or mid-range clay bodies are not permitted, as they may melt in the kiln and cause significant damage to both other participants’ work and the kilns.

What to make: A variety of shapes and sizes is strongly encouraged, as it helps create better kiln loading and firing results.

Refund and Cancellation Policy for External Workshops

We do not offer full refunds, as our External Workshops require extensive planning and coordination with partner organizations.

  • Cancellations must be submitted in writing at least 30 days prior to the start of your workshop (first session) to be eligible for a 50% refund. Cancellations made less than 30 days before the class start date are not eligible for a refund.
  • No refunds will be issued for no-shows or cancellations for any reason, including but not limited to illness, injury, COVID, or unexpected travel.
  • Registrations may be transferred to another person if the transfer request is submitted in writing at least 3 days prior to the start of your workshop (first session). Participants are responsible for finding someone to take over their spot.
  • All cancellation and transfer requests must be submitted in writing to spiffy@thespiffystudio.info.