Cone 6 Soda Firing Workshop

Claymakers January 2026

Contact Information

Doug Dotson

(919) 444-9678 (call or text)

Instagram@DougDotsonPottery

DougDotsonPottery@gmail.com

305 Mockernut Rd, Pittsboro, NC 27312

Presentation Slide Deck

Class Schedule

Monday January 5, 2026, 6:30-9:30pm. Claymakers. Surfaces and Slips for Soda Firing.
The class has access to Claymakers open studio hours Jan6-Feb14, Tuesday-Saturday 1-6pm
January 27, 2026, half of all pots due on the bisque shelf
February 14, 2026, the last day to get pots on the bisque shelf
Saturday February 21, 2026, 9am-3pm. Load the kiln. Wad pottery, load half the kiln, break for potluck lunch, then finish loading. Doug Dotson Pottery
Sunday February 22, 2026, Fire the kiln. Starts early, spray soda at about 12noon, finish at about 3:30pm. Doug Dotson Pottery
Sunday March 1, 2026. 9am-11am. Unload. Doug Dotson Pottery.

Class Details

Each student is allotted kiln space the size of about 25 mugs. Students are welcome to make larger and smaller pieces in most any shape. Taller pieces of 7-10″ are welcome. Large platters are not so welcome. Really small pieces pretty much always get in. Extra pots are encouraged – I promise to work hard to get them in!

January 5
Introductions
Process Overview
Clay that works well
What pots work well
Surfaces for soda atmosphere
Slip Demo
February 21
Start at 9am at Doug Dotson Pottery (305 Mockernut Road, Pittsboro)
Wad Pottery and organize
Load the kiln
Potluck! Bring food to share if you like. I will
This will probably take about 6 hours.
February 22
Fire the kiln.
Students can arrive at about noon.
Students are welcome to come for as much or as little of the firing as they like.
Soda spraying will probably be in the early afternoon and students can participate.
Wheel demo?
March 1
Unload the kiln starting at 9am
What clay bodies worked well?
What slips and glazes worked well?
Demo: Finishing pots after the firing
Document successes and failures