Firing Service

Shipping work for firing by post can currently neither be accepted nor offered.

Unfired clay work travels best in a leather-hard state, as it is less prone to breaking then. If it is already bone dry, please move through the world very carefully.

We recommend transporting work for firing well padded in a box, by car or by public transport. Transport by bicycle is not suitable because of the vibrations and possible knocks.

You don't have to bring your work exactly on the firing day or pick it up right after the firing. We can store it safely for up to a month. For full kiln loads, however, we ask you to pick up promptly, as our storage space is limited.

Please sign all your pieces with the same name, initials or mark so that we can identify them clearly. We keep a list in the atelier where you can enter your name and your mark.

You can also hand in your work damp or leather-hard (see the tips on transport). We make sure that it is completely dry before firing.

Please also note: existing cracks in unfired ceramics usually cannot be saved and often get worse during firing. Pieces larger than an egg must be hollow — otherwise they can explode in the kiln. With the pinching technique in particular, watch out for trapped air; it can explode during firing and damage other pieces as well as the kiln. On glazed pieces, the standing surfaces must be clean and free of glaze — wipe the base and the edge with a sponge before firing and keep about 5 mm clear of the glaze. New glazes must always be tested first (see the tips on choosing clay and glazes).

If you would rather glaze your bisque-fired pieces here at the atelier, you can do so during the Open Atelier opening hours. You can use your own glazes or choose from our large selection of brush-on and dipping glazes. Tools are available.

Clay and glaze have to match in terms of firing temperature and thermal expansion. For earthenware clay (1020–1080°C) you should generally use low-fire glazes (1020–1080°C), and for stoneware clay (up to 1260°C) stoneware glazes (1200–1260°C).

Mismatched combinations can lead to hairline cracks, glaze faults or other damage: as they cool, clay body and glaze contract to different degrees, which creates tensile stress and cracks. We recommend always testing glazes on clay samples before glazing a larger piece or one you have put your heart into.

You are welcome to buy clay from us and to glaze it here with our glazes and slips. Our firing curves, clays and glazes are well matched to each other, and we offer a wide range of clay types as well as dipping and brush-on glazes.

CHF 15: 10 kg basic beige clay

CHF 25: 10 kg beige hand-building clay, 40% grog

CHF 25–30: 10 kg decorative throwing clay, depending on colour

No. The firing service is open to everyone — no membership or course with us required.

By handing in your work you confirm that all ceramic pieces are made of suitable ceramic materials and that the glazes used are suitable for the agreed firing temperature.

You acknowledge that firing ceramics carries risks such as cracks, warping, glaze defects or breakage. atelier yuniku accepts no liability for damage to or defects in your work, as faults in the making are sometimes not visible from the outside. It is the customer's responsibility to ensure that the work has been prepared correctly for firing and that the materials used have been processed properly.

In the case of visible defects, the firing service management may refuse a firing if it could endanger other pieces or the kiln.

Customers are liable for all damage to the kiln, kiln shelves, accessories, insulation, heating elements or to other people's work caused by unsuitable materials, heavily running glaze, melting clay, explosions, contamination, improper processing or incomplete or incorrect information.

The person responsible bears all resulting costs, including repairs, spare parts, professional servicing, cleaning work and the associated labour.