Pit-fired Pottery

Pit-firing is one of the oldest methods of firing pottery. Instead of being fired in a traditional kiln, each piece is placed in a pit and surrounded by combustible materials such as wood, leaves, seaweed, and other organic materials. The pit is then set on fire, and the pottery is slowly transformed by the intense heat, smoke, ash, and minerals surrounding it.

Pit-firing is wonderfully unpredictable. The final colors, patterns, and markings are influenced by the placement of each piece, the materials surrounding it, the movement of the fire, and the natural conditions during the firing. After the fire has burned, the pieces must cool slowly. This often takes many hours to days before the pieces can be removed.

Because every firing is unique, no two pit-fired pieces can ever be recreated exactly. Each piece is a one-of-a-kind record of the fire that created it, with markings and colors that could never be duplicated. See our shop for pit-fired earrings and pieces.

Want to join us in pit-fire? Contact us