Volunteering at the Kiln

VOLUNTEERING AT THE KILN

WHAT TO EXPECT

PLEASE READ ALL NOTES BEFORE SHOWING UP TO THE FIRING

WE ARE TESTING OUT NEW TIMES AND VOLUNTEER SLOTS

THIS PAGE IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION. PLEASE BE PATIENT AS WE ADJUST AND ADD ITEMS

Volunteering at the kiln can be a great way to get involved. We welcome folks of all experience. All shifts are mentored for new volunteers and we always have lead volunteers and technicians on site. We are currently restructuring our volunteer shifts to better streamline the operations and to keep things organized on the site.

GLAZE DAY SHIFT #1

8:15am-10:30am

2 hours 15 min ( 1 lead volunteer, 2 other volunteers)

Set-up (starts at 8: am)

Extra cart moved out of kiln shelter
Put up 8'x8' tent, and 10'x10' tent ( GLAZE DAY SETUP DIAGRAM is being completed by a volunteer currently)
Set up tables based on GLAZE DAY SETUP DIAGRAM
Pull out active glazes from large rolling cart. All active glazes will be on the cart.
using drill mixer and paddle provided, give all glazes a good mix.
sieve glazes as needed
Get fresh water for rinse buckets off of cart
Yogurt tubs, sponges, and pouring containers on each table
Ware cart cleared off and pulled out ready for pots
Stir up glazes and make sure a brush or whisk is in each one
Test tiles out for viewing

While potters are glazing:

Monitoring proper use of glazes, proper use of wax, wiped bottoms of pieces
Answering questions about the glazes and firing
Directing finished pots to the ware cart
Helping to assess cubic feet and record each potter for invoicing

GLAZE DAY SHIFT #2

10:30am-2:00pm

3.5 Hours (1 volunteer)

While potters are glazing:

Monitoring proper use of glazes, proper use of wax, wiped bottoms of pieces
Answering questions about the glazes and firing
Directing finished pots to the ware cart
Helping to assess cubic feet and record each potter for invoicing

GLAZE DAY SHIFT #3

CLEANING

3:00-5:00

2 Hours (2 volunteers)

Clean Up

top off any glaze with back up buckets. Sieve and use paddle mixer. Check in with lead volunteer for backups
if there are no backup glazes make a note of the glaze level and write down on the white erase board.
Containers, sponges, whisks, toilet brushes, equipment pre rinsed in buckets ( we try to keep as much glaze out of the drain and sewer system)
put back all equipment in labelled containers that are kept on the glaze cart
Tables cleaned and folded, put to the side (these all go in last after the kiln is started)
lids of glazes rinsed. Glazes put back onto the glaze cart
tents taken down and repacked into bags ( this may take 4 people, you can ask folks loading to help for a couple minutes)
These tents get stored on the ware carts once the kiln is loaded. Put to the side, they will be loaded onto the carts by volunteers in the #4 shift

GLAZE DAY SHIFT #4

2:30-5:00

2.5Hours ( 1 lead volunteer, 2 volunteers)

2:30 pm start sorting pots by height to prepare for loading.

work with lead volunteer to load and stack kiln (mentoring and training provided)
make sure cone packs are correctly placed for peeps

When loading is finished:

Document the stack!
Document the participant list and send to volunteer doing invoicing
Close up kiln
Start pilots and kiln log
put away tables, mats and kiln cart
lock up

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