How a tiny kiln helped shape something bigger: glaze-making at Sunken Studio

“You made such a complex body of knowledge so accessible, interesting and relevant. I learnt so much my brain was literally hurting - in a good way.” - Laura

Our glaze strand didn’t arrive fully formed. It grew - out of curiosity, logistics, and a small but mighty test kiln.

Starting with a spark

In 2019, a small gas-fired test kiln - affectionately known to us as the bullet kiln - arrived at the studio. It coincided with Chris joining the team and reflected a moment of momentum: new skills, fresh ideas, and a shared sense that something exciting could take shape.

The kiln has a theatrical quality to it - small, fast, and capable of reaching stoneware temperatures in hours, not days. For a studio that values design and atmosphere, it was part teaching tool, part showpiece.

A change in pace

When we moved to our current premises in 2020, the logistics changed. The kiln didn’t get left behind - but it did get shelved. We no longer had secure outdoor space, and placing a gas kiln near our main entrance raised too many safety concerns. It quietly retreated into storage.

At the same time, we were revisiting a broader question: how could we teach glaze-making in a way that made sense in a shared studio?

“I’ve come away with a much broader knowledge of glaze materials and a deeper understanding… The choices gave a fantastic range without being too overwhelming. I came away excited to experiment.” - Rose

Shaping a course that fits

We didn’t want to replicate what platforms like Ceramic Materials Workshop already do so well. Instead, we looked at what our members needed. Chris brought both hands-on experience and formal study (including CMW courses) to the table, and together we started testing out what a Sunken approach might look like.

What emerged was Make a Glaze - a three-day course designed for people working in shared or home studios who want to build foundational skills. Participants create more than 50 tests and formulate five of their own glazes. We prepare the supporting materials and resources in advance, so learners can focus on process and observation. It’s quietly ambitious - but clear and practical by design.

Why in-person matters

One of the quiet strengths of Make a Glaze is the space it creates for shared learning. There’s an immediacy to the feedback - not just from the facilitator, but from peers. Everyone’s working through similar questions, comparing results, and learning from one another. That kind of interaction is hard to replicate online.

It’s also become a space that’s attracting people from further afield. We’ve welcomed participants from studios across the UK and overseas who are looking to adapt the model for their own communal spaces. That cross-pollination - people sharing approaches, constraints, and ideas - has become a real asset to Sunken Studio.

Growing a network

The course now acts as the entry point to Glaze Club - a member-only session that gives participants the confidence and resources to continue working on glazes independently. It’s supported, structured, and designed to scale with experience.

From there came Big Mix - a follow-on session for course graduates and members. Part test lab, part resource exchange, it lets people revisit recipes, trial shared samples, and explore new combinations without starting from scratch. Think open test tiles, materials on tap, and informal advice traded across the table.

“What really stayed with me was: ‘Find what you like and treat that as a starting point, not an endpoint.’ I wish someone had said that to me years ago.” - Alex

Returning to the kiln

Now, with a strong glaze pathway in place, we’ve returned to the bullet kiln - the piece that set this all in motion. We’re currently running test firings in collaboration with The Attic, an event space in Leeds with outdoor capacity. If it proves practical, it will allow us to reintroduce live atmospheric firings - giving participants a deeper understanding of what happens inside a kiln and how different conditions affect glaze.

In a way, the bullet kiln raised a question. That question gave rise to a course. And now, the course is bringing the kiln back to life.

That’s how things tend to grow at Sunken - gradually, iteratively, and with an eye on what helps people keep making.

Want to get involved?

Make a Glaze: book online here

Glaze Club is open to members who’ve completed Make a Glaze: more about membership

Big Mix runs throughout the year for past participants - keep an eye on your inbox for invites.