Pit Fired

Pit firing is an exciting but somewhat unpredictable process. In preparation for a pit firing a piece is burnished and then bisque fired. A firing pit might be a hole dug in the ground or an above-ground oven built with firebricks. Sawdust, twigs, and wood are used as fuel.  Colorants such as copper sulfate and cobalt carbonate can be mixed with the sawdust to create different colors on the piece. I like to stretch copper scouring pads around my pieces to create interesting and unique effects.