Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in a Naborigama wood firing at the Canton Clay Works studio in Canton, Ct. I have been taking classes there for the last few months with owner and master potter Tim Scull.

Naborigama is a multi-chamber, hill climbing wood kiln that requires 24 hour continuous stoking. I was lucky enough to be able to work the final 8 hours of the firing that included the salt/soda chamber as well. Mind you, Abbie and Emily did the lions-share of the work, as I, the newbie, kept them in constant supply of wood and chits, but I was glad to be able to experience this part of the process! Depending on where in the kiln the pieces are placed, the scattering of the ash, the flame path and the oxidation and reduction levels have varying effects in color and texture. The results are really beautiful! Here, Tim the Potter explains the kiln's design and function.