Make your own fireworks

Packed up and ready to go to the kiln. 

Wadding central.

99°F and humid makes a concrete floor a dog's best friend. Angus hanging out in the glaze room.

Wild Bill loading the kiln.

Nearly finished loading. We started early Tuesday morning to grab the coolest temps for the longest time.  It still got hot by the time we finished but hey, what's ninety-nine degrees when you're looking to reach 2381°F? Firing started by 10pm that evening.

Hanging out at the kiln site on The Fourth of July. The guests who came to check things out wilted in the summer heat and didn't stay too long. Much watermelon, wine and beer was consumed. And ribs!

Chugging along on the evening of the Fourth.  A burn ban was in effect for the county (Kentucky has been very hot and dry for the last several weeks), but the kiln is self-contained with a nearby water source so it's exempt. Plus, we're professionals. 

Mr. Piggly-Wiggly and his friend, Bea!

Final stoke of the firing after nearly 36 hours, Thursday morning. Cone 10 dropped all around with cone 11 bending nicely.

Mudding up the door and closing up shop. Opening in a few days. We were all rank by the time things were done but it was a steady firing. We'll see how things turn out.