Pottery

Kiln Firings

All kiln firings are free of charge. You may drop your greenware or glazed pieces off at the Bob Kirby Branch in the Idea Lab or via curbside (see instructions below).

Please make sure to fill out a drop-off slip and include all the information requested. The firing schedule will be determined by the number of pieces waiting, and the type of firing needed (bisque vs. glaze). We will only fire the kiln once there are enough pieces for a full firing. Pieces should be dropped off by 8 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Curbside Pickup

Picking Up Pottery

    1. Call 270.782.0252 when you arrive at Bob Kirby to let a staff member know you are there to pick up pottery.
    2. Drive around to the designated area located at the back of the building. You will see a sign on the door (Yuki side of the building by the garage door).
    3. A staff member will meet you at the door and will roll out a cart for you to pick up your pieces.

Curbside Dropoff

Dropping Off Pottery

  1. Call 270.782.0252 when you arrive at Bob Kirby to let a staff member know you are there to drop-off pottery.
  2. Drive around to the designated area located at the back of the building. You will see a sign on the door (Yuki side of the building by the garage door).
  3. A staff member will meet you at the door and will roll out a cart for you to place your pieces.
  4. The staff member will fill out a pottery slip with your name, contact info, type of firing, and the number of pieces you are dropping off. If you have any special firing instructions, please let the staff member know at this time.
  5. You will be contacted when your pieces are ready for pickup

Glazing

Use a layer of wax resist anywhere your piece touches a surface while sitting. Pieces without wax resist will not be fired in the kiln.

*Firing dates are subject to change*

The firing schedule will be determined by the number of pieces waiting, and the type of firing needed (bisque vs. glaze). We will only fire the kiln once there are enough pieces for a full firing.

Pieces should be dropped off by 8 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Glazing Basics

Tools Needed

  • 2 paint brushes
  • Glaze colors of your choice (1 or 2 colors)
  • Wax resist
  • Damp sponge
  • Sandpaper (optional)

Once your item has come out of it’s first kiln firing, the bisque fire, your piece is ready to be glazed. Follow the steps below to complete the glazing step. Once you’ve applied glaze, it will go through one more kiln firing, and then be ready for pickup.

Glazing Instructions

  1. Optional: buff and smooth any burrs or imperfections on your piece using sandpaper. Focus on areas that feel rough to the touch.
  2. Wipe away any dust from your piece with a damp sponge. There is no need to saturate the piece.
  3. Dip a clean paintbrush into the wax resist and coat the bottom of your piece. Anywhere your clay touches the table, a layer of wax resist needs to be applied.
  4. Wax Resist serves as a protective layer between the library kiln shelves & pottery pieces.
    NOTE: anywhere the wax resist touches the pot glaze will NOT adhere so be careful to smudge fingerprints on your pot or drip anywhere.
    Pieces without wax resist will not be fired in the kiln.
  5. Select your glaze colors. When using multiple colors of glaze, simply layer one color over the other; do not mix the liquids like you would acrylic paints.
    Use no more than 2 layers of glaze at a time.
  6. Shake your glaze as they can separate.
  7. To apply glaze to a pottery piece, dip a new, clean paintbrush into the bottle. Apply long, even strokes on the inside of your piece. Once you have coated the inside thoroughly, apply the second coat. Once you have completed the inside colors, begin coating the outside.
    If using 2 different colors, be sure to use 1 brush per color or to rinse your brush under a faucet until the water runs clear.
  8. Sponge away any glaze left on the bottom of the piece. Because there is a layer of wax resist on the bottom, it will easily wipe away.
  9. Drop your piece off for firing at the Bob Kirby Branch. A WCPL staff member will contact you when your piece is ready for pickup.

138 – Heavy Cream

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Source: Mid-South Ceramic

508 – Goldenrod

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Source: Mid-South Ceramic

600 – Antique Iron

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Source: Mid-South Ceramic

605 – Blue Monday

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Source: Mid-South Ceramic

607 – Sea Spray

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Source: Mid-South Ceramic

611 – Eggshell

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Source: Mid-South Ceramic

614 – Paprika

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Source: Mid-South Ceramic

851 – Pine Forest

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Source: Mid-South Ceramic

856 – Everglade

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Source: Mid-South Ceramic

865 – Petrified Wood

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Source: Mid-South Ceramic

964 – Tiger’s Eye

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Source: Mid-South Ceramic

Nidec VL-Lite Pottery Wheel

Available only @ Bob Kirby

We have two wheels for use in the Idea Lab. Before you can use the wheel, you must take one of our pottery classes or have previous pottery experience.

Patrons are responsible for cleaning the pottery wheel, all tools, and work area after each use.

Clay and glaze may be purchased in the Idea Lab, or you may bring your own. Pieces may be fired in the kiln at no cost.

Create & Learn

Pottery Supplies  – Mid-South Ceramic Supply

WCPL stocks the Idea Lab with Mid-South Ceramic’s 610T White Stoneware Clay and Opulence Glazes. Check out their website for more information regarding their products.

Library Collection

Browse the 738.1 call numbers in our adult nonfiction books, or search the catalog for pottery.

Pottery Wheel

Pottery Pricing

  • Clay: $4.25 (approx. 5 lbs)
  • Glaze By the Piece:
    Small – 
    $0.25 | Medium – $0.50 | Large – $0.75
  • Wax Resist: Free with glaze purchase
  • Kiln Firings: No charge

Kiln Firing Schedule