LESSONS LEARNED

Some days are meant for lessons, but I must confess those days are tough. Ugh. This was what greeted me Saturday morning as I started unpacking the kiln.

Ouch.

I had been looking forward to wrapping up some orders and getting a head start on holiday mugs. Bruno (my kiln) chose this to be a perfect time to curb my excitement and remind me not to rush him. It comes with the territory, but oh my heart when I opened this! Uffda. I'm sad to say I lost 27 pieces in total. Needless to say, I was a little discouraged for the rest of the day.

Why does this happen?

Well, it could have a few different causes:

• Moisture - If the temperature rises above the boiling point of water before all the water evaporates in the pottery piece, the pottery can explode from the pressure.

• Air pockets - Air pockets or other inconsistencies in the clay can create weak points where pressure concentrates, and the pottery can fracture.

• Chain reaction - Kilns are packed tightly to maximize the number of pieces in a firing to offset costs. When one piece explodes, it often times damages the pieces around them due to the force.

It was a good (and painful!) lesson to remind myself to sloow down, and take more time making sure I thoroughly wedge my clay and let things dry slowly.

Thank you to my customers & friends...

Thank you for your patience and understanding regarding the delay in fulfilling some of your orders that were part of this kiln batch. It is important to acknowledge that the process of pottery is meticulous and time-consuming requiring attention to detail at every stage.

So, once again, thank you for your understanding of the time and effort involved in this craft is truly appreciated. Your patience allows me to continue pursuing my artistic endeavors with the commitment and enthusiasm they deserve.