Obvara & Saggar Fire Workshop

NCG Members Only Event

Location: A private studio in Henderson
Address provided upon Registration
Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

The Nevada Clay Guild will provide snacks and dri

The Nevada Clay Guild will provide snacks and drinks.

Workshop Overview:

In this hands-on workshop, you'll explore two exciting firing techniques—Obvara and Saggar—under the guidance of expert instructors. You'll learn how to create beautiful, unique finishes on your pottery, using traditional methods that produce stunning, unpredictable results.

Obvara Firing
Obvara firing will involve dipping your bisque-fired pottery into a special Obvara mix, producing colors ranging from light tan to black. Whether your piece has a smooth or textured surface, this process will highlight its unique characteristics and create beautiful color contrasts.

Saggar Firing
In Saggar firing, you'll assemble a saggar (a protective enclosure) around your pot, incorporating various ingredients like organic materials and chemicals that alter the pottery's appearance. Both pit firing and kiln firing will be available, and you'll get to experiment with different materials such as feathers, leaves, berries, and copper wire to create dramatic and unique results.

After the firing, we'll carefully unwrap each piece, apply the finishing touches, and spray a protective sealer before taking them home!

What to Bring:

2 bisque-fired pieces: For your bisque pots, please use cone 5 or 10 clay bodies with high grog content (Raku clay, Vegas Buff Grog, B Mix with grog, Soldate 60, or Texas White). These clays are better suited for thermal shock. Smooth clays are more prone to cracking.

Note: Bill R. will have bisque pieces available for purchase if you don’t have ready pieces.

Protective clothing: Closed-toed shoes, long pants, and a hat (for shade). Goggles and gloves will be provided.

Weather-appropriate outerwear: Since the workshop is outdoors, please come prepared.

Lawn chair & Sunscreen: For comfort during breaks.

A brown bag lunch: Nevada Clay Guild will provide snacks and drinks.

Register Now!

Workshop Details:

  • Cost: $45 (non-refundable) – NCG members only

  • Max Participants: 25

  • Registration: Pre-payment required to secure your spot. No walk-ins allowed.

  • RSVP & Pre-pay below!

Click on the images below for more information!

Obvara Technique
Obvara Technique
Obvara Technique
Obvara Technique
Saggar Firing Technique
Saggar Firing Technique
Saggar Firing Technique
In our Saggar firing, aluminum foil and clay are wrapped around each piece along with materials inside of the foil which produce varied effects on the pot. The materials may be feathers, leaves, berries, sugar, salt, fertilizer, copper wire etc.
We fire the pieces in an outdoor fire pit. When the pieces are done, we take them out, unwrap them and put on the finishing touches. Finally, a sealer is sprayed on them and dries. Then we take them home!