Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Kiln loading 101

 There are times that it is better for the folks that read us that I post pictures in a different order than I usually would. This time I started with the front stack of the kiln.
It will become apparent why when you see the last picture.
There was someone living in the kiln.
Which seems to happen now and again.
They see it as abandoned property.
We see it as, we are getting there, and, we are coming back.
 Middle  stack going in.

It seems that all we need to do lately is leave a room for 10 minutes or a kiln for 3-4 weeks and someone has moved in.
There are times that they bring in all their family and friends.

I have been trying to stay one step ahead of them with no success.

As we were loading the kiln yesterday a spider started building her web as soon as you stepped past the door.
Turn around and you stepped back into a web.
Hey! We're working here.....








More of the middle going in.
Almost lunch time.
 Back stack loaded up- you see those orders???




And here you go.
I know she wanted to help, but we parted company pretty quick.
Firing today.
Cool down Wednesday and Thursday.
Friday- the door comes down.

If you are taller than a mouse we would let you help.
M

16 comments:

goej said...

I was thinking like mad... Who's moved in? - wasps? Birds perhaps? - lol-

Good luck on the firing, hope to see a lot of pictures.

cookingwithgas said...

wasp and birds were very good possibilities.
Squirrels are another one that likes to move in--snakes... we had one a few years back in the kiln.

Unknown said...

Good it wa6s a mouse and not a skunk!

cookingwithgas said...

a skunk would have relocated me!

Michèle Hastings said...

The spider webs have been horrendous this year, like you said walk away for a minute and they have a web in your spot.
Good luck with the firing. We have a kiln cooling now, we may have to wrap and pack warm pots tonight!

Unknown said...

Best of luck with the firing ~ may it be blessed by the critters who seem to love the space! I also appreciate your photos of kiln loading, as I continue to learn from them :)

cookingwithgas said...

I hate to confess Kathy- but we are still learning as well!
MH- I know!

smartcat said...

I always learn from your kiln loadings. They look like they could illustrate how-to manuals. The photos of the finished work often look like show posters.

Is it the rain, humidity.....? This is the summer of the critter. At least the kitties keep larger animals out of the house. Although they have in the past been presented as gifts....Chipmunk in the middle of the bed anyone?

Trish said...

The whole process and the photos are a continuing work of ART..:)..welllll, the meeeces?? not so much.. Fantastic firing to you! ..looking forward to the opening. Cheers. T.

Lori Buff said...

I'm sure she's glad to be out of there now that it's so hot.

cookingwithgas said...

I don't miss those presents that the kitties use to bring us. I think I want to keep butterflies as my pets!
They are real independent.
Hi Trish! Hope you are well!
Lori- I don't want to think about it, but I am sure she made a mad dash when I was not looking.

Claudia from Idiot's Kitchen said...

Whew! I am so relieved that we didn't see cooked kiln mouse. I was expecting the worst. Well, at least I hope we won't be seeing cooked kiln mouse anytime soon.

cookingwithgas said...

Claudia, if we cooked that mouse we will never know, but I think she bolted out of there when my back was turned.
One more day of cool down.

Laurie said...

Pretty much every night on my walk with the pups, I get a face full of spiderwebs on several occasions. Mice... we have been catching them here too. It's raining again!!!

cookingwithgas said...

yes, it is! This has been the summer of wet.
I hope next week we could have a week of dry.

Gary's third pottery blog said...

I am horrified to admit, as you would guess, that at least 2 harmless garter snakes have moved into the rocks at the front of our house...one is HUGE HUGEHUGE! suddenly we have not been seeing the mice and voles that are usually around out there, and I s'pose he eats bugs....as long as he stays out there...harmless......