I need to refire one mug but otherwise the kiln came out pretty perfect.  I have a few of most everything in stock again.  I am starting on the next kiln already. Please let me know if you want something specific so I can make it for you in time for the holidays.

This has been a pretty crappy week.  I have been putting this chemotherapy cream on my face for the past 2 weeks to eradicate precancerous skin cells before they develop into actual skin cancer.  The last few days have been brutal.  I teach medieval lit--right now I look like the Summoner in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales whose skin condition terriffies small children.  My son (trying to be kind) texted me "It's probably not that bad". So I sent a picture. To which he responded "Wow! That is really bad".  So it was nice that the kiln firing came out well. But.....

It almost didn't.  As I was loading the top shelf, I noticed a fine crack line under the kiln wash.  I took all the mugs out and then removed the shelf and turned it over....

The crack goes all the way through and about 80% of the diameter. No doubt it would have sprung apart in the firing (kiln reaches just under 2200) and collapsed on all the other shelves destroying all the work. A fortunate escape.

And....

I had an early doctor's appointment about 90 minutes away.  I had to leave in the dark. As I was getting into the car I put my full coffee mug on the roof and then forgot it was there. About 1/4 mile down the dirt road I heard it fall off the car.  I stopped but it was so dark I couldn't find it .  Later when I came home I walked up the road in search of the pieces

And there it was, intact nestled in the grass.  I don't make this style anymore, but I have been using this particular mug for years and am glad it didn't break.