Wrong Shoes

The wood kiln was unloaded today. This is a picture of the last stack of shelves. It was a colder and more oxidized firing in the front two stacks, but this last set proved to have some hotter temperatures, thus creating richer colors. We've been analyzing why this particular firing was so different and have been stumbling around ideas. The envelope, or empty space around the shelves of pots was tighter than normal, therefore constricting the flow of flame. This can greatly impact the direction that the flame can get through on its determined flight out through the chimney. Overall, portions of the kiln just didn't have enough active flame for long enough to reach temperature, despite the 24+ hour firing. There were some really nice pots in there and yet some that were lost and need to meet the hammer. Sometimes I have to remind myself that it's hard to put your own pots in someone's else's kiln firing, (even if that someone else fires like you). It's like wearing someone else's shoes that are perfectly molded to their needs. One day I'll wear my own shoes.

(Perhaps more detail shots might come later. I'm having that mental soak in period right now where I'm not looking at the pots so I can get over the ones that didn't turn out like I expected so highly of them, later to go back and see the new unexpected glories.)

Tomorrow I'm taking the show on the road again in Asheville where I'll be all weekend in the Village Art and Craft Fair down in the Biltmore Village near New Morning Gallery. It's proclaimed to be a really great show and this is the first year I'm giving it a try. After a nice, cool mountain rainy day, I'm going to certainly warm up in the big city this weekend. Honestly, I'd much rather be home in my quiet little abode. I'm ready to make pots again.

Have a great weekend!