It was a privilege to be there firing with the team at the Bill Moon kiln of Imagine Peace Pottery and learning the more advanced and planned firing techniques rather than simply having the goal of making temperature. Having a plan means thinking about how to influence the pots by even the type of wood or materials burned.

In this firing, raku low-fire pots were made by placing them in the rear of the kiln near the chimney. At the correct temperature, a built-in back door was opened, and pots were pulled out hot and reduced in a container, creating copper colors and smoke lines.

At wood firings community is built. Many other artists gathered to fire work, some from long distances, to participate. An Amish family brought doughnuts, and the family and children stopped by, and a few customers came to see the firing. It was a privilege to learn from such a fantastic community of people and make new friends. It’s about time to stoke again.