Passing lane

A short list of vehicles I've followed in the past week:

1. Westbound on Beltline: A Jaguar hatchback. (Actually kind of a mini SUV, like my Toyota RAV.) What's next? A minivan?

2. Franklin Boulevard, passing the UO: A deLorean. Really, said so right on the rear panel. Looking a little the worse for wear, flux capacitor not in evidence.

3. Northbound on Villard, passing Maude Kerns Art Center: A Model T Ford. Unbelievable. Tootling along at 15 miles an hour, top down. Turned into the parking lot at Hirons, which was kind of a relief. Could not imagine them keeping pace with traffic on Franklin.

This is what $1000 looks like

Technically, $1033, including shipping. $33 more than I spent for the kiln.

The last few firings, my electric kiln has taken substantially longer to reach bisque temperature, electric use has gone from about 80 kwh per firing to 130-140 kwh, and the last cone 9 firing didn't reach temperature at all, throwing an ERROR 1 code--making too little progress in temperature. All signs that the elements need replacing.

I actually got a pretty good run out the the current set. Bought used, and still gave me three or four years of firings; I can't complain. Ordered the replacements a while ago, but Skutt was running behind on manufacturing, averaging a six-week wait. And since my kiln is a PK model--a professional-grade kiln that's designed to reach cone 10--Georgies didn't have replacement parts on the shelf.

Not sure when I'll be doing the install--maybe Tuesday, while the glaze kiln is cooling. Hoping the weather will be dry so I can do the work outside. There really isn't room inside my studio. I oughta take it down to Club Mud to work on while I'm firing, but transporting the parts can be a little tricky, as the softbrick is fragile.

Meanwhile, in the studio

I've been glazing steadily since Sunday, banks and mugs first, then, as they came out of the bisque, serving bowls, mugs, pie plates, dinner and dessert plates. Soup and toddler bowls remain for tomorrow; this is why I've shuttered my Saturday Market booth.