Salt Wood Firing Montsalvat

After discussing the options with Sergei at Claytalk, we have decided to offer a 2-Day Salt Firing Workshop instead of the previously proposed 4-Day Wood Firing Workshop.

While salt firing is slightly more expensive, it is less time-intensive and produces beautiful, distinctive surfaces, making it a rewarding and memorable experience.

What is Salt Firing?

Salt firing is a traditional kiln-firing technique in which salt is introduced into the kiln at high temperatures. The salt vapour reacts with the silica in the clay and glazes, creating unique orange-peel textures and subtle colour variations that cannot be achieved in an electric kiln. Every piece emerges with its own character, making the process both exciting and unpredictable.

Workshop Details

Dates: Thursday, 13 August and Friday, 14 August

Venue: Claytalk at Montsalvat, Eltham

Cost:

• $175 for several pieces that fit within a milk crate (30 cm × 30 cm × 30 cm), or

• $150 for one large piece of approximately that size.

The workshop price is based on a minimum of 10 participants and no maximum. The more participants we have, the more enjoyable the experience will be.

Clay and Preparation

• Any stoneware clay suitable for firing to cone 9–10 can be used.

• Make sure your work is marked with your maker's mark

• Pieces must be bisque-fired before the workshop.

• Montsalvat provides slips and high-fire glazes for participants to use.

• You are welcome to bring your own glazed work if preferred. As glazed pieces can be delicate to transport, Sergei recommends wrapping them carefully in tissue paper.

Pieces may be dropped off at Montsalvat before the workshop if required.

Workshop Schedule

Day One – Preparation

• Introduction to the salt-firing process

• Discussion of glazing and slips

• Wadding preparation

• Wood preparation

• Loading and packing the kiln

• Organising the firing roster

• 
  

Day Two – Firing Day

The kiln will be started early, around 5:00 am, by Sergei, Joe or Martin. Participants are not required until approximately 9:00 am.

The firing takes around 15 hours, with salting expected in the early evening. This is very much a hands-on, communal experience. Bring some food and drinks to share (even a bottle of wine if you wish), settle in, enjoy the atmosphere, and spend the day sharing the experience with fellow Valley Potters. The Montsalvat café will also be open during the day.

Day 3 – Collection of Fired Work: Saturday 22 August.

BOOKINGS OPEN

Places are now open for booking. We hope you can join us for what promises to be a fascinating and enjoyable firing experience.  Book directly with Montsalvat using the link here.

As the bookings are made directly with Montsalvat, all further communication will come from them unless you also RSVP here to the event so we can keep track of who has registered.

Bookings close 7th August.