I am loading the kiln today with some new pendants and bracelet bars. This will be a glaze firing, so I will have several new items listed by next week. It is always a fun time opening the kiln. As much as I know what my glazes can do, I can never predict the final outcome once they are fired.
I try to work in batches of 5 to 10 of each bead or pendant. This way if there is a fail or two, which often happens, I will still have several of those items to list in my shop.
Last year I had a manual ramping kiln. That means that I had to manually switch the dials on my kiln throughout the day to increase the temperature during a firing. At the beginning of 2021, my husband rebuilt my kiln with new fire bricks, new coils, and a new digital timer. My firing is much more uniform now and a little more predictable.
I will try to post a few photos of the prettiest beads when they come out of the kiln later next week. It takes a day to fire, and at least 8 to 12 hours to cool. Kiln opening day is akin to opening a present! Just like Christmas!
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Debbie Johnson Ceramics 