Fired!

Letting pots warm up. 

What an amazing process.  This was done by ancient people in the 1300's and their's came out much better than mine.  I enjoyed the process and as a bonus I meet some interesting people.  I hope to attend more classes and go on some of the field trips.

Last week the class was cancelled due to wind.  Today it was predicated to be the hottest day of the year. 96 degrees.  Sitting in the sun and building a hot fire, wasn't too bad, as we started at 9AM and were done by 11:30.
Happily no pieces broke in the firing.

Already to hot to handle

Turning pots to warm both sides.  Hot work. 

Setting stones in the ashes to hold pots off the coals

Placing the pots. Andy wished he had brought his
welding gloves and metal tongs. 

Pots can touch. 

Air circulation is important.  

Stacking mesquite branches

Not the perfect fire.  Wanted it to all burn at once.  

Because it wasn't a quick clean burn, some pots got
soot and ash marks. 

Waiting for pots to cool.  Can be pulled from the fire with
metal tongs.  Anything that can burn (like a stick will
mark the pot).

pieces pulled out by Andy.  "Garage Sale"

Checking it out. 

Paige's bowl.  White and blacks came out nice

Scott's bird pot.  The face is perfect

My pot.  The black is greyed out.  May have been the firing.
There are so many variables. 

Nice coloring. 

My puka with desirable fire marks. 

Finished pots.  Photo by Andy.