Finally we were allowed to see how the most recent firing of Shadbolt Centre’s Soda kiln had turned out. It was a sunny, if rather cold Tuesday afternoon so we formed a line and passed the retrieved pots along to tables set up outside. You’ll see that the first glimpse showed quite a lot of grey orange peel but as we turned the pieces around we saw lots of different colours.

Once the front pots were removed we all donned masks and eye protection to speedily scrape bumps and glaze off the shelves. Freshly kiln-washed shelves were then left out to dry.

Then it was time to remove the back pots, set them out on the next table and quickly complete the cleaning of the last shelves. It took no time at all. We took a careful look at each other’s work, asked questions about who’d used which flashing slips etc and then people started to pack up their new wares to take home.

Really the Shadbolt technicians make participating in a soda firing one of the better activities in my life. Thank you so much for these chances to work alongside other potters and have some salty pots fired. Thank you Linda, Tony and Jay.

As for results.. I’d say that out of my 19 there are two that I’ll put in to be re-fired, maybe in TriCity Potters’ group firing next April (if I am lucky enough to be included, there may be a waiting list..). But I re-fired two previous somewhat dry mugs and they turned out much improved, so I am happy. Alan took professional-type photos yesterday and I’ll post some of those next.