When you have reached peak temper in the front, and making the last push to get heat to the back of the train kiln...keep that front fire box loaded with big chunks of hardwood.

There are 3 stacks in this train kiln: front, middle, and back. With side stoke ports on either side of the middle stack.

We had great color this firing. Meaning the  clays colors were great range of red to orange brown.

One of my favorite updates for this firing was the mood lights for the overnight shift. My favorite part of the unload was more of this gray/blue coal bed coloring as this was the longest firing yet, and we had big coal beds even in the side stoke aisles.

It's always fun to compare pots from one unload to the next.

Here is a close up of a different pot that had a sharp edge from some of the wadding sticking to the pot. Look at the difference of the before and after using the 240 Grit Diamond Pad.

I purchased my 240 grit pads from Diamond Core tools. I am not a sponsor for Diamond Core Tools; I just think it's a great, affordable product. Click the button below to check out their tools for yourself.

If you want to learn more tips from me; join my soda fire educational series.
Ps. these ideas usually apply to wood fired pots as well, and disclaimer this was an example of cleaning up a wood fired pot.

I am trying to be intentional about setting some truly attainable goals that are both for self development and not just business goals. 
While I was at Lake Michigan yesterday, I was reminded of how much nature feeds my soul, and so far Lake Michigan is the best place to escape to in Milwaukee. Ps. I am more than open to suggestions for your favorite places to explore nature in the greater Milwaukee area. 

Ps. I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas and New Years. This was my first year putting out Christmas decorations. A nativity scene, recently gifted to me from my mom, and a Christmas Cactus with lights...rather than a Christmas tree. 

Keep making those goals for 2020. I know I am.

Hey there, I'm starting this new series Share a Pot and a Memory. Ps. This is a call to all pottery lovers that I am looking to share a story from you about a pot in your pottery collection. My pottery collection is full of stories, and I often say I feel like I am eating and drinking with friends, when I am not using a piece I had made myself.

To kick the series off I am sharing a memory about how I got this pot while volunteering with Potters for Peace in Nicaragua.