As with any job, we have certain tools we simply cannot do without. Mine happens to be a giant toaster. It is here, that ordinary dried mud is transformed into original works of art.
In recent weeks, that cooker has struggled the climb to 2250 degrees: the clay’s necessary curing temp. In a potter’s perfect world, 10-12 hours is ample time to complete a firing cycle. But Ol’ Bessy was taking upwards of 26 hours to get there. Conversations went back and forth to my supplier, kiln manufacturer, and jack-of-all-trades/fellow-artist-friend Gary. I was determined to fix this beast myself. The most obvious solution was to switch out the elements, which have a shelf life of 150 or so firings. According to YouTube, the average bear can pull this off in a matter of hours, no problemo.
Sure enough, four hours and about 293 old element fragments later, and I had myself some fresh coils in place! Now just to ‘season the elements’ with a quick low-fire load, and my girl would be up and going. Visions of a victorious blog post & Facebook brag flooded this electrician’s-daughter brain.
As it turns out, God was cooking up a different story with a small dose of humility. I awoke the next morning only to find my kiln STILL struggling to warm up after 8 hours. (Insert bad word here!) Frustrated, back to my people I went: supplier, manufacturer, friend. He must have heard the desperation in my voice. In the middle of my rant Gary casually mentions, “Daina, I have an extra kiln that you’re welcome to borrow.” What? Who can say that: ‘I happen to have an extra kiln just laying around. Oh, and it’s just like yours, only newer and practically un-used’?
In a mere 10 hours my first load in that borrowed kiln was done. Bam. Back in business! Excitedly, I phoned my friend Gary only to hear his heart-melting words that still ring in my head: “Daina, I want you to keep the kiln.”
Every morning since then, I step into my studio & glance at the shiny gift beside my decrepit old toaster; thankful, humbled, blessed.
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