Frequently Asked Questions About Ordering, Producs, and Ceramics
Find answers to common questions about ordering, products, classes, and more. Whether you're just getting started or know exactly what you need, this page is designed to help you quickly find the information you're looking for.
What firing temperatures work best for your products?
We manufacture low fire, midrange and high fire products so it’s dependent on what you purchased. Please check the packaging on your product or if you have further questions please call 503-283-1353 for help.
Do you offer equipment warranties?
Most companies offer equipment warranties upon purchase. Georgie’s specifically does not.
Do you offer financing on kilns or wheels?
We do not offer financing on any equipment.
Do you price match equipment?
Sometimes we are able to price match, please contact us to see if we are able to.
Can I special-order equipment?
You can special order any equipment we don’t have in stock from a brand we carry.
Do you offer firing services in-store?
We offer firing services to the public. You can drop off anytime we are open Monday – Friday 9am-5pm. It is a 7-10 business day turnaround (holiday times can have longer turnaround times). We price out based on how much space your piece takes up in the kiln. Learn more on our custom firing page.
Do you sell raw materials in small quantities?
Most raw materials come in 1lb, 5lb, 10lb and 50/55lbs.
How can I find SDS or safety sheets?
We have an SDS page.
Do you offer bulk discounts on raw materials?
Raw materials is all by quantity – the better buy is a bigger quantity, and the best buy is a full bag.
How do I calculate how much raw material I need?
We sell by the pound so please convert any recipe to pound.
Do you sell slip for casting?
Yes we sell slip in low fire and mid-range.
Why does the color of raw materials vary?
It could be a multitude of reasons – manufacturing and mixing process, natural variations in composition, different pigments, changes in materials physical structure.
Can I mix my own glazes with your materials?
Yes, people follow recipes all the time and purchase raw materials from our store to mix your own glaze.
How do I choose the right basic toolkit?
The basic tools needed for throwing or handbuilding are: rib (metal, wood, or rubber), needle tool, sponge, wire cutter, fettling knife. Most tool kits will have these starter tools in them.
What tools do wheel throwers need?
We recomment a: rib (metal, wood or rubber), needle tool, sponge, wire cutter and fettling knife to start.
What tools do handbuilders need?
We recommend a: rib (metal, wood or rubber), needle tool, sponge, wire cutter and fettling knife to start.
Do you carry MudTools products?
We do carry MudTools products.
How do I choose a trimming tool?
Trimming tools should be sharp! A dull tool will not cut through the grog/sandiness of the clay.
Do you carry Xiem tools?
We do carry Xiem tools.
Which ribs should I start with?
Ribs are great for shaping and smoothing. A flexible rib is better for smoothing a surface while a wood rib is better for shaping. There are also ribs that makes cylinders turn to shapes and ribs that give texture to bots. It’s fun to try new ribs, but starting with a basic wood, metal or rubber rib is a good idea.
OH NO… I bisque fired my work to cone 6! Can I still glaze that?
Yes, but it could be tricky. Your clay is no longer as absorbent as it would be so the clay will have a harder time accepting the glaze. Try heating the piece in the oven first and/or blotting glaze on as opposed to brushing it.
I was firing my kiln and I got an error. What do I do?
There are many errors that can occur with your kiln. Please get out your kiln manual and see if the error code is listed. This makes troubleshooting a lot easier and contact us for more help with the error code.
What types of other fees can I expect in custom firing?
Additional fees could include large quantities of very small pieces, scraping glaze off the bottom of ware, stilt fee for cone 6 firings, and cleaning/repairing damage caused by glaze runs (could result in an entire kiln shelf fee).
My piece broke in firing. Do I still have to pay for it?
Unfortunately, firing in public kilns carries that risk and breakage does happen on a rare occasion. We do our very best to handle all with care, but can’t control what happens in the kiln during firing. If your piece was fired in our kiln, you still have to pay for it whether it broke or not.
I just got my bisque piece back! Can I glaze at your store?
We do not have a studio or station available for glazing in our store or warehouse.
Can I load my pieces myself? Can I watch?
We do not load your pieces the same day and our dedicated staff member will load your pieces. We do not allow an audience for loading/unloading.
I made a clay piece using 2 boxes of clay. It weighs 100 pounds and it took 3 people to get it in my car. Can I fire that?
We take large pieces on a case-by-case basis. Please call ahead and be prepared to answer questions about the dimensions of your piece and possibly send photos. If we will need a winch or forklift to load or unload, the answer will be no.
I made a teapot with a lid and my lid broke in the bisque firing. What do I do?
Buy a LidMaster. This is a caliper with the ability to give a measurement for 12.5% shrinkage. people to get it in my car. Can I fire that?
I glaze fired my piece and the glaze did not come out well. Can I re-glaze it?
Yes, just allow more room for the glaze to potentially run. If your piece stuck to the shelf in the flrst firing and you want to re-glaze a piece, you MUST remove the offending glaze either with a rub stone or a Dremmel before re-firing.
I used a new glaze combination that may be runny. Can I fire that?
Yes but consider providing a waster or clay cookie to fire the piece on.
I got too excited about the new glaze I bought and glazed my greenware piece before it was bisqued. Is that okay for you to fire?
In most cases, no. We do not once fire greenware to glaze temperature. Sometimes this will cause pin holing in a glaze. Please let us know when a piece has glaze OR wonderglaze on greenware as they can melt and stick pieces if they are stacked or touching; glaze and wonder glaze should be applied to bisque ware only.
I made a really fragile sculpture with a lot of terrifying appendages. Can I fire that?
Yes, but consider buying a scrap of kiln shelf to bring it on so we don’t have to touch it. Please know that we do our best with fragile items but are not responsible if they break during firing or in transport to/from the kiln. before it was bisqued. Is that okay for you to fire?