Saggar Fire & Tile Art Workshop Blog

Learn The Art of Saggar Firing or Creating Dimensional Wall Art in one of my 2-day ceramic workshop. I welcome students of all skill levels to join me in my studio and studios across the country where I share my toolbox of tricks, tests, & techniques that I have discovered over the 20 years I have been saggar firing.

"Brenda's professionalism and artistic abilities combined with the beautiful surroundings (in Italy) inspired us all. I learned more in a week about clay, creating tiles, firing, and glazes than in all my art courses in undergraduate and graduate school combined! Thank you Brenda!" - Kasse Andrews-Weller, Washington, DC






Tuscany Travels

Wed, Sep 18th, 2013 It's been two years in the making and finally my Italian workshop in Tuscany is here. We begin the 14 day workshop, The Yin & Yang of Clay, at La Meridiana International School of Ceramics this month. This workshop intensive is held just outside the small town of Certaldo, which is 30 minutes north ...   read full article →


Tuscany Registration Now Open!

Sat, Jan 5th, 2013 It's official, you can now sign up for our October 6-19, 2013 Ceramic Workshop in Tuscany. We are teaching a 2-week throwing & saggar firing workshop at La Meridiana International School of Ceramics. All skill levels of throwers and handbuilders are welcome, including those who have always had the itch...but never scratched! Now is your opportunity.

Don't ...   read full article →



Tuscany 2013!

Sun, Sep 16th, 2012 Our 10-day ceramic workshop in Certaldo, Italy is just 1 year away!

The Yin & Yang of clay, a workshop on throwing large and saggar firing at La Meridiana International School of Ceramics is 2 weeks away. Brenda McMahon is teaching this 2-week throwing & saggar firing workshop at La Meridiana International School of Ceramics, on October 6-19, 2013.

No experience ...   read full article →



Workshop Results...

Tue, Jul 17th, 2012 Our Summer Workshop in Ohio is now over. What a great group of students, beautiful pots made & fired and an altogether wonderful weekend.

Here are some highlights...of the saggar firing process. Thanks to Bruce, Sue, Kim, Phillip, Margaret, Perry, Wayne, Vicki & Betty! You were the best! Enjoy the results. ...   read full article →



How to burnish

Mon, Jun 4th, 2012 Our Summer Workshop is just 4 weeks away...and I keep getting emails about burnishing. Here are a few tips.

I recommend burnishing AT LEAST one pot for the workshop, if not all of them. I love a burnished surface and I believe you will too. If a pot is not burnished, it cannot be waxed after the firing. ...   read full article →



Carla's Clay Workshop!

Wed, Mar 7th, 2012 What a success!!!

This was a breakthrough workshop.
. It is the first time we brought a 'hands-on' component into the Large & Loose section of this dynamic duo. And the students loved it!

The saggar firing has always been hands on - and that's a huge draw to our workshop. But with 14 wheels at Carla's Clay Studio on ...   read full article →



Wood Inspirations!

Tue, Aug 9th, 2011 My new friend Paul Schneider - a wonderful wood sculptor - saw my work on Facebook and offered to send some bamboo and other exotic woods that he grows on his farm in Tennessee.

Well, he sent the wood a few months ago - but I finally got around to using it and I'm explosively excited. What a ...   read full article →



A Sample of Results

Fri, May 20th, 2011 I've been teaching saggar firing workshops since 1999. Over 12 years, I have seen tons of beautiful student results rising from the ashes of the saggar kiln.

The exciting part of this workshop is the diversity of skill of the participants and the array of results from the saggars in just one day of firings. BUT REMEMBER, ...   read full article →



Now for the Pots!

Wed, May 11th, 2011 Ok, you've been working on your saggars for the July 16 &17 workshop in Ohio. You've got it down, planning shapes, sizes and construction. Now it's time to think about your pots.

What kind of clay should you use? I suggest any white-based stoneware or porcelain. You can use an iron based clay, but if you do, ...   read full article →



Preparing for July...

Tue, May 10th, 2011 So you've made a decision and you're signing up for the July 16 & 17 workshop - What Now?

First, make your saggars. You can follow my posts on facebook, I'm giving a step by step on what to do to get ready:
Facebook Step by Step

Saggars are clay pots that are firing vessels designed to hold the REAL POTS ...   read full article →


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