I was just down at the kiln around 7:00 am, and Paul is already at cone 8! Yes! The new twist that Paul added did the trick. There will be pots to view in the next coming days.  Some of these pots have been fired twice and three times. My sculptures are on their third.  I have one special order of a dozen pilsners that has been made twice and this was it's second firing.  After the three very grueling and dissappointing loads we have been through this is a huge relief!!!  The final link in the cycle has been locked in. We can provide the finest quality hand crafted stoneware pottery and sculpture, and we have eliminated our need for LP Gas to do it. The last three failed firings, occurring when they did, at what should have been the height of our selling season ,  was devastatng to say the least!  The incredible amount of hours and the volume of wood used was sickening.  The latest batch sat unopened after a 30 hour firing that wouldn't reach cone 01.

 That is the batch that has now reached  cone 8 in 22 hours! I guess I am rambling, but it means A LOT!  It means we can fill the orders of the patient people that have hung on for months to get their special orders.  It means everything we make can be fired here, and now that we know we can reach temp we can find the glaze techniques we like the best.  I am still getting an electric kiln for my earthenware sculptures.  It is truly like coming out at the end of a long tunnel. 

  There will be a kiln opening , and I'm estimating here, on Saturday . My news page on the website will keep you posted as well. I have dedicated the rest of the day  to  creative endeavors in the studio. 

  As we usher out 2006, there is new hope on the horizon! I am wishing everyone  a fantastic NEW YEAR!

  I apologise for the unreadable script in the last post. I tried to change it, but could not.