Kiln Firing

Ceramics
1

As our studio continues to grow and become busier, I’d like to open a discussion about how we sustainably support kiln operations going forward.

Right now, all kiln loading and unloading is handled by volunteers, and provided at no additional cost. It’s wonderful to see so many people actively making work and even growing into selling their pottery. At the same time, increased production also increases wear on equipment, use of materials, and the volunteer labor involved in managing firings.

I wonder if it might be worth discussing a modest firing fee structure, not to make pottery inaccessible, but to help support the studio, offset operating costs, and create a more balanced system as usage increases.

I also think even a small firing fee can encourage more mindful use of kiln space and reinforce that each shelf load carries shared costs; not just financially, but also in volunteer time, labor, and care for the studio.

I’d be interested in hearing others thoughts and ideas on what could be fair and sustainable for our community.

2

It would be difficult to keep track of who all has a piece in the firing and then charge them, since it’s just left on a shelf. There would need to be some kind of log to keep track of it, or a lot of faith in an honor system to pay before or after a piece is fired.

I also know that a lot of people don’t carry cash, and we don’t currently have an electronic payment method for area specific charges.

I don’t know how crazy this would be, but maybe up the price of the clays or glazes to cover firing expenses?

3

I have a few questions in response, isn’t the studio already charging for reclaimed clay, classes, and glaze for use of materials?

Is the purpose of the fee to replace operating expenses? Is there a specific concern that needs addressing?

Adding a fee would deter at least me, because I’m familiar with other parts of makeict and they don’t charge for use of their equipment despite growing users, as to my understanding that’s the purpose of the membership fee. To have access to these facilities. Adding another pay on top of that defeats the purpose of access to these if we have to pay extra on the fee already.

If the fee is to have funds for hiring someone as the studio is growing, I feel that would be something to bring up to the board as the hiring process for a non-profit follows specific rulesets.

Or rather if the fee is to pay for replacement and maintenance of tools due to wear and tear, we should consider hosting a variety of fundraisers rather than implement a straight fee, or consider what the budget is working to operate with this in mind. I’m not privvy to the background finances of the studio so I have no clue if any part of the membership fee goes to these different sections or not.

My summer is opening up a lot and I plan to be in the studio throughout the day more so I’m always down to chat ideas!

4

Just to clarify, my thought isn’t about generating income for Make or making pottery less accessible. I’m thinking more about mindfulness and shared responsibility.

Our membership is only $25/month, which is incredibly affordable for access to a community pottery studio. I also make and sell quite a bit of pottery myself, so I include myself in this conversation. When people are producing larger volumes of work, there is also a larger demand being placed on the volunteers who load and unload kilns, as well as on the equipment itself. Maintenance and firing costs are simply part of doing ceramics.

I was imagining something very modest and honor system based, perhaps only applying after a certain number of pieces per month, so the casual users wouldnt be burdened, but the heavier users,especially those generating income from their work, contribute a little more toward the labor and resources involved. To me, it’s less about money, and more about recognizing the value of volunteer time and the care that keeps the studio running.

Just thoughts and possibly a good discussion for the next ceramics meeting. I thought it would be a good idea to bring this up to our group so everyone has the opportunity to voice their ideas and input (and discuss if its even feasible) before bringing up anything official to the board.

5

I understand! Thank you for clarifying further! I also have been reading that for part of shared responsibility there had been quite a few instances of people not respecting the space and not cleaning up after.

I wonder if it would help to look at what other sections of MakeICT are doing in regards to this as well as the increase use of equipment in regards to making things in large volume for selling. Could see if they have like a courtesy donation for those using the equipment to produce a lot of items for business use, etc.

6

Great idea about the courtesy donation!

7

Power users should donate more (either time or $$$) of their own accord, no matter which space is being used. If it’s becoming an issue of someone using an obviously large share of the resources, I think that warrants a chat with them. I would much rather see us talk to people instead of adding fees. I am pretty sure we’ve charged people for one-offs before where their items have taken up the entire kiln. I don’t think charges (especially pretty tiny ones - we’re talking like $1 a piece?) for everyone are the way to go.

I feel like we’ve run into a few issues over the years where people are fairly obviously using the 3D printers or laser cutters for commercial things and those same people aren’t really contributing anything except to the wear on the machines… it just leads to stuff being down for a bit. We also have other power users who help maintain, but just pointing out an example that this issue isn’t unique to ceramics.

8

Thank you all for the input!! Great ideas. I think this is the difficult balance many creative communities face: accessibility, sustainability, fairness, and stewardship.

I really like the idea of power users individually making a donation either by time or money.

This topic came about by me thinking about how much I use the space, and asking myself if I’m contributing enough to the community, so I definitely do not want to come from the place of accusation. I just want to help keep burnout from setting in to our lead and people that volunteer countless hours reclaiming clay, loading the kiln etc.

9

I get that, it is a lot of hard work! Maybe we can make some bright fun signs to add to the space too asking for help with volunteers. I live across town so it’s difficult for me to get to MakeICT which is why I haven’t been in over a year :skull: but I have design skillset and I can volunteer to make posters for events and ceramics needs/guideline reminders that are respectful but also add to thinking about the space with intention for others.

I like your thinking of “Am I doing enough to help contribute?” That line of thinking is what keeps spaces like these awesome and loved!

10

If you haven’t been in for a year - things have changed as far as studio use load. There are many more people using the studio than there was a year ago. Those of us who volunteer the most to keep the studio functioning can barely keep up.

There’s so many pieces being made that we are firing kilns every time we have time to do so. There are several people now producing large amounts of pottery in addition to many e people in general using the studio. We are close to just not being able to keep up at all. The about of pieces coming through is taxing both the equipment and the volunteers.

It is also becoming very apparent that some of those who are producing large amounts of work do not spend any time in the studio volunteering to help.

We have replaced the elements in both kilns and the exhaust fan in recent months. All very expensive despite Tony and Ed contributing all the labor for free.

The kiln shelves were totally refurbished by me about a year ago and are really in need of hours of attention again. It took me an entire weekend of hard work, outdoors with a grinding iron and a heavy duty mask for safety to grind down tons of layers of kiln wash and glaze that has penetrated deep into the shelves. It was a really difficult task but someone needed to do it as the shelves were flaking off so much kiln wash that pieces were being ruined in the kiln. We’ve been working to educate potters about proper glazing technique for cone 5 firing. Every time a piece drips or runs into or kiln shelf requires even more work from those who keep the kilns going. Replacing kiln shelves or furniture is very expensive too. Pieces should not be glazed on the bottoms at come 5. The stilts often don’t solve the issues ands leave the pieces still stuck to the stilts or warped.

A couple of us have made the kiln cookies to try to save the kiln shelves, but they should be only used as a precaution, Not routine wasteing them from poor application of the glazes. The clay to make the cookies, the time to make them and the kiln wash have all been supplied by those of us who made them Making from reclaim doesn’t work well as it can’t survive multiple firings.

Ed and Tony had to replace the canvas on the work table due to someone cutting through the canvas.

Every time we go lately there are messes left behind by others. There are people not cleaning up after themselves properly quite often. Having to clean up the mess of others before even starting on our own projects is not something we should have to do.

Reclaiming in that ancient pug mill takes several hours of volunteer time to reclaim each bucket. It also takes a lot of physical work. It is NOT an easy or quick process. There’s also really needs to be dry clay additives added into the mixture, which cost money as well.

There is a core group of people who have been volunteering freely of their time to keep the studio operational. But the rest of the members need to do their part as well.

MakeICT is still an incredible value despite members needing to also cover some of their project expenses like clay and glaze. The cost of everything has gone up significantly as far as pottery goes since Covid.

Everywhere else where someone can go to create and for pottery is WAY more expensive than here. The next cheapest place I’m aware of to just fire pieces is at Evans, where you pay $2.50 lb for every firing. And little pieces are more than that as I think there is a minimum of $1 piece. Wichita pottery is $75 month with limited hours and members have to pay about 50 percent markup on clay to help with firing and glaze. Clay must be bought there.

City arts and mark arts are even more expensive.

I’m not sure that we are at a place where we need to charge for general firing just yet but it’s worth a conversation and I would guess ifs a possibility in the future. If you’ve never operated the kilns, you don’t realize what all comes through.

There are times people do nothing more than wad up some clay and want it fired. A few potters each had at least a dozen pieces each, some of which were quite large in the last few kiln loads.

Limiting quantities is something that very well may need to happen in the very near future at the current pace of growth. It’s not sustainable to keep up with at the current pace of growth.

Keeping up with reclaim buckets, sink clay traps, mop bucket, glazes, clay supplies, towels, kiln firings. Kiln maintenance, wheel maintenance, studio upkeep, etc .

Somethings are most likely going to need to change in the ceramics studio in order to keep it up and going as it is. Tony is doing such a great job leading with a team helping him that the growth in studio use during his time as lead has been tremendous. He’s doing a great job! But there is only so much Tony and those currently helping can do.

Ideas and discussions about those ideas will be important going forward.

I’m thankful Jen brought up her idea. I don’t know what’s best going forward, but I do know that at the current rate of growth and studio use there will likely need to be some changes. There definitely needs to be more accountability of members to clean up and to volunteer some of their time for the betterment of the studio.

11

Other areas are also struggling with members not cleaning up and not respecting equipment too.

12

100% it sounds like it’s grown a lot which is amazing! I would argue for limited amount of pieces/sizes from each person in regards over charging for pieces and definitely a courtesy donation for mass quantities.

Sounds like more volunteers are needed regardless.

I know I’m bad at attending meetings as they usually line up with days I already have booked. How many active studio users do you think attend meetings so we can address this further?

Also I was thinking more about the lack of cleanliness for the space, does anyone know if this is individual person/s or a multiple people? Last I knew there were cameras in the hallway and the badge scanner so if we really need to address the folks, it could be worth the lead asking whoever is in charge of security to look at specific times to see who isn’t following rules and have a meeting with that person/s. I’m not sure how well received that suggestion will be.

13

The difference with ceramics is that things like clay reclaim and kiln firings and supply restocking takes a lot of volunteer time and energy. The kilns can only be turned around so fast- no matter how much backlog there is. Also, Someone has to donate their time and energy every time any of this is done.
It is not just down time of equipment (other than wheel time) but takes actual physical time of volunteers also.

I volunteer a lot as do a few others. We don’t mind doing so when others do their part and don’t abuse the system. But------ very few people come to monthly meetings and even fewer step up and volunteer and actually contribute to the space.

14

I’ve been thinking more about this discussion today, and Michelle, you make a really good point, there is ultimately a limit to how many firings can realistically be done with our current kiln capacity and volunteer availability.

To make sure everyone has an opportunity to get things fired each month, it may make sense to discuss some monthly firing limit per member. I think it would need to be based more on volume or kiln space used rather than simply a set number of pieces, since one large piece can take the space of many smaller ones. It may also be worth discussing reasonable size limits for pieces.

If someone exceeds the monthly limit, they could either wait until the following month for additional firings or choose to use an outside firing service such as evans. To me, that feels like one of the fairest ways to manage increased usage while keeping the studio accessible and community focused.

I also think its important to acknowledge that many people are feeling frustration and burnout, and that’s understandable. The studio has grown a lot,which is exciting, but our systems and volunteer support need to evolve along with that growth if we want this space to remain sustainable.

Let’s add this topic to the agenda of this month’s meeting so we can openly discuss ideas and solutions as a group.

I’d also love to discuss a volunteer task list or sign-up system so members can support specific studio needs.

15

I think those are all great ideas!

I’ll try to clear the next meeting so I can attend and see what I can do to help alleviate burnout also. It’ll be nice to come back!

16

Regarding people not cleaning up after themselves, most of the rest of the space is just banging our collective heads on the walls. We feel your frustration.

17

I personally would not mind a sign up sheet for specific tasks. I don’t mind helping at all but I am unfortunately one of those people who need some direction. I would love to assist reclaim or loading/unloading, but I don’t think those are things I could do by myself.

18

Lists of studio tasks needed is a good thought. But also some of it just takes looking around and noticing what needs attention.

Reclaim takes a lot of physical strength and time. But really needs someone to be in charge. A new responsible volunteer would be welcome as Ed has taken care of it for quite awhile now.

Loading and unloading kilns is time consuming and takes some knowledge of the task as well as experience. Additional volunteer help loading and unloading isn’t a major need right now, if those who already are trained did not have to also do all the others tasks. However firing the bisque kiln is a manual process and help is often needed for ramping up the kiln through the process.

The green bucket in the sink needs taken outside and emptied routinely.

The mop bucket should be taken outside every couple of days and emptied and then fresh mop water put in it.

Floors in the entire studio need mopped often.
All the dried clay that builds up along the edges of the floor against walls and such needs cleaned.

The ware boards needs to be cleaned and the shelves they are on need cleaned every so often. The clay dust that comes from the ware boards and its shelf is significant.

Counters need cleaned daily.

Glazes need to be tended to.

The wheels and stools all need to be wiped down.

The pieces of reclaim drying on the wires need broken down small and placed in the bucket daily.

Towels need washed and dried and folded.

Tools and bats need organized and cleaned.

There’s many tasks that need done routinely.

The roller needs cleaned under and around it weekly. The canvas needs cleaned occasionally.

Even if everyone did a little extra each visit it would help a lot.

19

I came here to say this too :slight_smile: a list of “chores” that we could put the dates by like we do the laundry would be wonderful. I work best off of lists myself and would love to help but half of the time I don’t know what I CAN do and what I shouldn’t touch. This would help us all so much so no one gets burnt out.

I, for one, would just openly offer donation as it is needed any time it is communicated that we are in need. I would do it personally because of my regular use of the kilns and I could also donate from my business if greater funds are necessary. I absolutely want to contribute more and it sounds like others do too. :slight_smile:

another thought is that it would be really cool to have a running “wish list” for the building. We are about to have a huge multi family garage sale and I keep finding nice things that I’d love to donate but not sure if they’re needed.

20

Thanks Tyra.

No, It is not just one person, is a continual problem, especially as we get busier, in many, if not all, of the areas.

Members are required to go through a brief authorization training now prior to being authorized to use the Ceramics Room. This is mainly to help new members learn how to properly care for the equipment and the space and to clean up after themselves correctly prior to using the space. But, with the 24/7 access, this is impossible to monitor. A separate Wheel authorization is also now required for new members prior to using the wheels. I forget the date of when authorizations started, but I believe it is in the WIKI. Going through the area authorization helps ensure the safety of the members as well as protect the studio’s expensive wheels and equipment from damage and unintentional abuse. Replacement and repair costs for all that is pottery related has gone WAY up in recent years.

Signs have been added to help members to remember proper use and care of the space.
We all know it is easy to forgot details, especially if you don’t come in often.

There is a posted QR code that takes one directly to the Ceramics wiki as well as a hard copy of the wiki in the ceramics room that members can use for reference too. Unfortunately, many seem to forget or choose to ignore what should be done in each step of the process-area. There are notes and signs around to remind members, but seem to often not be effective.

Mostly the space has been going REALLY WELL. There is a lot of really nice work coming through. People are making pottery, making friends and enjoying their time in the studio.

There are and will be some growing pains along the way though as we try to adjust to having so many using the shared space and equipment.

Everyone stepping up to take responsibility for their own use of the space and then adding in some time each visit to make the space at least just a little bit better than when they arrived would be very helpful. EVERYONE is a member or a guest, even the lead. No one is paid for their volunteer work in the studio, not even the lead. But also no one should need to have to constantly remind others to be respectful and mindful of the shared space.