Barrel Fired Stoneware

For Thomas, campfires aren't just for roasting marshmallows; they're also for roasting pottery. He uses a barrel firing technique to heat the piece. After he throws and trims the piece, he lets it dry, then sands any throw lines to ensure a smooth surface. He then coats the piece with oil and burnishes it with smooth tumbled stones, making the surface shine. He follows this with a very low firingto get any remaining moisture out of the pieces. In the barrel, the pieces are placed sideways or upside down on a bed of straw. Thomas sometimes wraps aluminum foil around them and rips small holes in the wrap. He then sprinkles the pieces with copper carbonate, salt, and iron oxide. More straw, cardboard and kindling are placed on top before lighting. After 6 hours Thomas removes the pots and washes them. When they've dried, he applies a coat of wax and buffs them. "You never know what you're going to get," Thomas says. "It's a little like fishing: you're always on a quest for that one awesome catch!"