Farewell, My Kiln

I headed down to the studio first thing yesterday morning to load my kiln.  I have worked very hard this past month catching up on a number of commissions and the last of them was to go in this final firing before I head out on vacation.  One piece in particular was to be a birthday gift, so the timing was essential.  However, my kiln had other plans.  It would not be firing on this ill-fated day.  A rather crucial piece was broken.  I immediately got out the manual which was handed down to me when I bought this used kiln three years ago.  The manual told me only the general name for the piece, not the part number or specifics.  It did not tell me how to replace it, only to have a qualified repair person look at it.  After further searching, I discovered that the kiln had been discontinued long ago.  It was a bleak day indeed.

Aside from my handmade raku kiln, this is the only kiln that I have ever solely operated myself.  It is the kiln that I developed all of my glazes in through much trial and error.  I will not say that I have been completely happy with it, but it has served its purpose and was a good way to start out.  It is rather inefficient and struggles to get to the top temperatures that I need.  I have longed for a kiln with the thicker 3" fire brick for better insulation.  I have struggled with warping plates and blamed part of the problem on the kiln because it cools down too quickly.  In the past, I have done a little research into a new kiln with this one feature in mind.  I would also like a kiln with a name brand that one would recognize for the simple ease of replacement parts and servicing.  I was quickly coming to the realization that now is the time for that new kiln.  I continued my research yesterday afternoon and decided upon my desired kiln.  It was a long shot, but I called up the local kiln supplier to see if they had any in stock.  They did not.  A new kiln will need to be ordered.  My firing will not happen before my family vacation.

Those of you that know me will understand my level of punctuality and realize that this was a big blow to the core of who I am.  I am someone who always believes in being prepared and I will go to great lengths to see that it happens.  However, some things are out of our hands, so I made the call to my client who happens to be a dear friend.  Of course, she let me off the hook gently.  I had one other commission that was to go in this firing, but there is no hard and fast deadline.  Luckily all of my commissions that I am hand delivering on our trip are already boxed up and ready to go.

So, stay tuned for pictures of my shiny new kiln....