Hot off of the kiln

As cold as it's been lately, it was a positive delight to unload a still-warm kiln Friday night. We opened the damper and started dumping heat around 7:30 am, so by 6:30 pm the room was nicely toasty, the pots warm but not too hot to handle bare-handed. A very successful firing, as well. Here's an overview:

And a few close-ups. So very cute...

Thus ends my last glaze firing of 2017. I can relax a little. After I finish packing and shipping five special orders. And having some new slides shot. Delivering a sixth order in person. Selling at Holiday Market.

You know something? I don't think relaxing is gonna happen anytime soon...  

Timing

Got two phone messages last night, business related.

One was from a long-time customer, now living in Texas, who wanted to arrange to purchase a Christmas present for her aunt and uncle from Junction City, Oregon.

The second was from a local man, asking if we'd be at Market this weekend, suggesting I reply by text.

So I texted back the affirmative, and called back Helen this morning, because time difference. She decided on a present from my stock, gave me a card number to pay, and said she'd have her uncle pick it up himself.

Early that afternoon, I got another text from last night's caller, asking directions to our booth. I popped back the booth number and location, and a few minutes later, a familiar fellow showed up.

It was Helen's uncle, there to buy his wife's Christmas present.

Now that's timing.