🌀 Masks are required inside the studio for communal safety 🌀
To help keep our space safe, masks (N95 or KN95) are required for all workshops. Please bring your own—extras are available at the studio. Masks protect against airborne illness as well as clay and glaze dust.
Our property is ADA accessible, with a ramp available for the bathroom (3 steps). On-site parking and other accommodations are available—email us with any needs: info@sooki.studio.
Sliding scale pricing is a tool for social equity. We use sliding scale pricing to make ceramics education accessible and affordable.
There are three tiers for pricing, when signing up for a workshop, please pay on the scale what feels right to you and your current finances. This is a trust based system, only you will know what feels comfortable and possible.
The high end of the scale is the true cost. If you are someone who can afford to pay this, please do, as this offsets the price for others, allowing us to create more affordable offerings.
There are a set amount of spaces available per tier to ensure that the scale is balanced and workshop costs are covered. If a tier is sold out it means that all those spots have been spoken for. An interest free payment plan is available for all workshops, breaking the workshop cost down to smaller payments over a longer period of time.
We do our best to ensure workshops are accessible and affordable. We are continuously improving our pricing system, please reach out if you have any questions or ideas you'd like to share.
Workshops are non-refundable, but you may transfer your spot to someone else—just let us know in advance.
Students receive a 10% discount at Sooki Supply from the start to end date of the workshop.
Learn what actually happens inside an electric kiln—from firing schedules and cones to the hands-on loading of bisque and glaze work.
Wednesday, September 16 · 12–4 PM
Sooki Studio · Frogtown, Los Angeles
This intensive is intentionally kept small so everyone has meaningful access to the kiln-loading demonstration, plenty of time for questions, and the opportunity to connect the information to their own work and firing practice.
This is a rare opportunity to spend four focused hours learning directly inside a working ceramics studio, with hands-on access to the kiln and firing process.
Kiln loading is one of those parts of ceramics that's often learned through trial and error—but the mistakes can be expensive.
A poorly planned load, misplaced piece, glaze accident, or misunderstood firing schedule can mean hours of work and materials lost. This intensive is designed to take some of that guesswork out of the process.
Rather than simply talking about kiln firing, we'll open up the kiln, work through actual loading scenarios, and examine the decisions that affect how your work fires.
Whether you're completely new to electric kilns, preparing to purchase your first kiln, or have been firing for years and want to feel more confident about your loading process, this class offers a deeper look at what happens before, during, and after a firing.
Approach an electric kiln with confidence rather than guesswork
Build a bisque load from start to finish
Build a glaze load while minimizing glaze accidents
Understand the key differences between bisque and glaze loading
Decide how to arrange shelves and posts for different types of work
Load tall, large, sculptural, and awkward pieces
Make better use of limited kiln space
Understand cones, firing schedules, and kiln controllers
Understand how firing schedules can affect your finished work
Identify common loading and firing mistakes before they become expensive problems
Think through a kiln load before you ever turn the kiln on
Troubleshoot different loading scenarios
Ask better questions when something goes wrong
This intensive is for you if:
You've been sending your work out for firing and want to understand what happens after you drop it off.
You're nervous about firing your own work.
You're considering purchasing an electric kiln.
You're setting up or dreaming about a home ceramics studio.
You've loaded kilns before but still aren't confident you're doing it correctly.
You've experienced glaze accidents or uneven firings and want to understand why.
You make larger or sculptural work and struggle with kiln loading.
You want to understand how to maximize limited kiln space.
You simply want a deeper understanding of the firing process to inform your own ceramic practice.
No previous kiln experience is required. Some familiarity with ceramics is helpful, but not necessary.
The workshop is divided into two parts: a lecture and discussion-based session followed by a hands-on exploration of kiln loading.
12:00–1:30 PM
We'll begin with the fundamentals of electric kiln firing, including:
How electric kilns work and their basic components
Understanding kiln controllers and firing schedules
The difference between bisque and glaze firings
Understanding cones and firing temperatures
Kiln shelves, posts, kiln wash, and other kiln furniture
Basic kiln safety and maintenance
Common firing issues and how to troubleshoot them
What to consider when purchasing or installing an electric kiln
How firing schedules can affect your finished work
Questions and discussion about your own firing experiences
1:30–2:00 PM
We'll take a short 30-minute lunch break before moving into the hands-on portion of the workshop.
Bring your own lunch or take some time to grab something nearby.
2:00–4:00 PM
We'll move from theory into practice, working through how to prepare and load an electric kiln for both bisque and glaze firings.
We'll discuss not only how to load a kiln, but why certain decisions matter.
We'll cover:
Preparing a kiln for loading
How to load a bisque firing
How to load a glaze firing
The key differences between bisque and glaze loading
How to position work for even heat distribution
How to make the most of your kiln space
Proper spacing between pieces and shelves
Loading larger, taller, or more sculptural work
How to position glazed work to prevent glaze accidents
Using kiln wash, cookies, stilts, and other kiln furniture
Common loading mistakes and how to avoid them
How to think through a kiln load before firing
Troubleshooting different loading scenarios
There will be plenty of time for questions and discussion throughout the workshop, so you're encouraged to bring questions about your own work, kiln, or firing experiences.
Choose the rate that feels right for you.
For those who need a more accessible price point.
The true cost of the workshop.
If you have the ability to pay a little more, your contribution helps subsidize accessible programming and makes the Community Rate possible for someone else.
15 spots total. Once the workshop is full, registration will close.
This workshop is taught by Natalia Ira Sookias, founder of Sooki Studio.
Natalia has been teaching ceramics and art for over a decade, working with students ranging from kindergarten through university graduate level in the US and Europe. Her education includes the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), Central Saint Martins, and the Prince's School for Traditional Arts in London.
Through Sooki Studio, Natalia has spent years teaching ceramics in a working studio environment, helping makers develop the practical knowledge and confidence to deepen their own practices.
All tools and materials needed for the workshop will be provided.
Bring:
A notebook
Your questions
A lunch for the break
Any specific kiln or firing questions you'd like to discuss
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
12:00–4:00 PM
Approximately 4 hours, including a 30-minute lunch break
Sooki Studio
2971 Allesandro St
Los Angeles, CA 90039
Frogtown
All experience levels welcome · Masks required
All students are required to sign the studio liability waiver prior to entering the studio. Save time by completing the waiver online before the workshop.
Whether you're loading your first kiln or looking to refine years of experience, this intensive is an opportunity to slow down, ask questions, get your hands into the process, and understand what actually happens inside an electric kiln.
Dress in comfortable clothing you don't mind getting a little messy. All materials we use will not stain.
We’ve got all the tools and materials covered—just bring a notebook, some water, and any favorite clay tools you can’t live without.
We’ll have all the basics ready—tools, materials, water, tea, coffee, and a few light snacks to keep you going.
Experience levels vary from workshop to workshop—peek at the description to see if it’s the right fit, or reach out and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Yes! The studio is dog friendly. Visit Sooki Supply for a dog treat :)
Masks are required for all workshops to help keep our space safer and more accessible. You're welcome to work outside mask-free—just pop one on when coming in and out of the studio.
We bisque fire to cone 06 and glaze fire to cone 5.
Yes! You can learn more here.
You're welcome to take your piece home to continue working.
It depends on the workshop—we’ll note when they’re family-friendly. You're always welcome to bring your child along.
Receive special offers and first look at upcoming programing.
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