Skill Building Workshop: Soda Firing w/Haley Tessler

February 22, 23, and March 1, 2025

Day 1: Saturday, February 22 - Glazing, Wadding, Loading

9 AM - 5 PM

We will begin the first day with a brief explanation of the effects of soda firing, a slideshow of Haley’s work, and a demonstration of how to prepare your work for the firing. We will then begin glazing, decorating, and applying flashing slips to the work using the spray booth and other methods of application. After lunch we will start wadding our pots and getting them in the kiln. We will end the day by beginning to candle the kiln.

**Each student is encouraged to bring between 5-10 pieces of CONE 10 bisqueware for the kiln, each piece no larger than 9" in any direction, and pieces in varying sizes up to the max height is recommended. Cone 10 white stoneware or porcelain is recommended. **

Day 2: Sunday, February 23 - Firing!

8 AM - 5 PM

On this day we will arrive around 8am and put the kiln into ‘body reduction’ for around an hour. After body reduction we wait for the kiln to reach temperature and Haley will discuss gas firing techniques. While the kiln is climbing in temperature we can break for lunch and afterwards Haley can do demonstrations of their making practice. When the kiln has reached temperature, we will spray soda as a group. An organic vapor respirator is recommended for this. Once spraying is done we will shut the kiln down and will wait to unload the following Saturday.

Day 3: Saturday, March 1 - The Big Reveal

9 AM - 2 PM

Participants will return to open and unload the kiln. We will discuss our results and clean the kiln as a group. Haley will also give a quick demonstration on how they go about cleaning up any stuck wadding or potential glaze drips.

Pictured: Haley Tessler, 4 soda fired vessels

About your Instructor:

Haley Tessler is a ceramic artist and educator living and making her work in San Francisco. She began ceramics in 2017 at her local community college and was hooked immediately. In 2021 she began working out of a studio where she learned how to fire their downdraft soda kiln, and now trains others on how to fire it. Haley fires frequently, testing new glaze combinations on porcelain work. Haley also teaches various low fire techniques such as pit, raku and sagger, and is currently the head of the raku program at The Potters Studio in Berkeley where she also serves on the board of directors.