On Monday afternoon we gathered to open the salt/soda firing from last Friday. With a hard brick kiln the pots were still somewhat warm but fine to take out. What were our feelings about the results? Linda Doherty herself says she’s always disappointed at the opening of a kiln and that she prefers the firing. Having participated in the firing I was prepared for what we found. These first photos show three of my pieces which are what I hoped for. But with a tight pack, the use of soda, wood and salt (4lbs?) there were some that were good, some that would do and to my mind, quite a few that will need to be refired. Other participants opted to have some of theirs refired immediately in a cone 10 reduction gas firing. That will certainly smooth them out but I fear any orange peel will disappear.

I brought my 15 pots home and studied them the next day. The two refires from previous salt-firings were just fine, and useful now. The vase and two jugbirds shown here are OK and do show the variety of colours possible in a salt firing. Two mugs will be useable. So eight others, a teapot, 3 vases, 2 mugs and 2 jugbirds will have to wait for another salt firing. I’m sure they will wind up just fine eventually. Refiring proves to be a great option – I’ll just have to wait.

I did enjoy the comaraderie of being part of a group firing again so really, Linda and Jay, my comments aren’t meant to sound as if I’m unhappy. As we chatted after the unloading we agreed that more salt would have been good. I personally would rather not have wood introduced as it does make the overall look of the work more brown. I think salt colours are brighter with less reduction. And probably, and unpopularly I think that fewer pots would allow for better circulation of the salt vapour.

I’d welcome any comments, please.