gotta question?

When do I glaze my creation?

After you've made your masterpiece, contact your local kiln to book in your firing and ask them if they do a single fire or the standard bisque and then glaze fire. If your kiln does single fire, then you can glaze after creating. If your kiln does a standard fire, then you book in your first (bisque fire) with them before glazing your creation. After you've completed your first fire, you are now able to glaze with the clear glaze in your kit or any of the colours you purchased off us. Book your glaze fire with your kiln and drop it off for the final time! Now you'll have a lovely functional piece of pottery that is painted exactly as you wished!

What if my clay is rock hard?

Don't worry, clay naturally dries out over time and it can be rehydrated over and over again. Take your clay out of the bag and pop it into a plastic bin liner. Then pour over half a cup of warm water, close the bag tight so there is no air and let it sit for 1 hour. Check if the water has absorbed, if it has and the clay is still hard repeat with 1/4 cup of water this time. Do this until your clay is soft. If the clay is soft but sloppy, drain the excess water and let it sit for a couple more hours or overnight. It will be perfect in the am.

 

Can I leave my clay to air dry forever?

You can still enjoy your creations without taking them to a kiln, they just won’t be food and water safe. You can use them as a dry flower vase or ring tray! 

 

Do I have to fire my clay?

If you want to use your creations for eating and drinking, then yes! Getting your clay glazed and fired will make it safe, strong, food and waterproof.

 

How do I fire my clay?

Leave your pottery to dry for a minimum of 10 days, then take them to your local kiln. Make sure you email or call them first to organise payment and a drop off time that works for you both. If you're on the north shore of Auckland, handsy has a kiln. Most kilns do a double fire, so you book in your creation for your first fire a bisque, then you pick it up and glaze it, then you drop it back off for its glaze fire. Once you've grabbed your piece from it's second fire you're good to go! You have a functional piece of pottery.

 

How do I make it colourful?

Glaze is what adds colour to creations, which you can buy here or you can let your local kiln glaze your creation for you - it’s usually included in their firing fee!

 

Is this glaze or underglaze?

The glaze we add to our kits is pretty awesome, it can be used on freshly made creations (although we recommend letting them dry for a few days before hand). And it can be added to the kiln for a bisque fire and then the glaze fire and be perfectly fine. We recommend if you're firing your creation, not to stack them during the bisque fire process, as it is a glaze and will stick.

 

Can I fire my clay at home?

Nope, not unless your oven can go over 1000 degrees! You'll need to take it to your local kiln. Make sure you call your kiln before applying glaze.

 

What kind of clay do I have?

You'll find your clay type plus firing recommendation on the kiln card you get in your kit, make sure you bring this card to your local kiln when you get your creation fired. But your clay can be fired safely to Cone 6. I personally fire all workshop pieces and customer creations at a slow bisque to cone 03.

 

Why isn't there a kiln near me?

We're trying our best to find kilns all over the country so each and every one of you can enjoy pottery from home. If you own a kiln and would like to join us, please get in touch! 

 

Is it safe for kiddies?

Yes, under supervision. Just make sure they don't put any clay in their little mouths. While our clay is non-toxic it isn't recommended.

 

How long does shipping take?

Shipping takes around 3-5 days, but with current courier delays you can expect around 8-10 days.