Joseph Fireborn

I know! I emailed him immediately, but it looks like his etsy shop is closed and his facebook hasn't been updated in a while. I am guessing maybe he is out of the business or has moved on?

I saw a lot of people on Etsy are now selling the same type of tool, but his craft was so good. Hard to accept moving on!

Glad you found someone to do the treatment you want to be done. I wish you all the best! Keep in touch.

Everyone's journey is different. Doesn't mean it isn't hard to endure. Don't compare and contrast, just focus on you and your plan.

Kiln in a corner.

My wife said the same thing and she is a brilliant woman who I always listen to. So for now it sits in a corner. The kickwheel story is sort of the same story as mine. My hands were badly frozen up and I had nothing during the day, so it sort of saved my life in a way as well.

Denice,

The firing was subpar; as to be expected I presume after 3-4 years of not firing consistently. I have dismantled my pottery studio and it is all sitting there unused. I am debating on selling it all. I just don't have the urge right now, but I know I cannot replace it for the price I will sell it for, so I haven't.

I am terribly sorry to hear about your cancer. You are on the right path, search for only the best doctors. I went through years of cancer treatment and if it wasn't for the best doctors in the south east I am pretty sure I would not be here typing this message for you today. I wish you all the best and I know if anyone can beat it, you can.

Much love!

That sounds super interesting.

Congrats on the new job? Not working at the pottery factory anymore?  Momentum! I understand that, 3 years of lost Momentum haha.

Haha. Going to fire the results today.

Same ole same ole. Classic White Glaze. Although I made a slight adjustment and did half the tinox and half the rio. I can add the rest after the test firing.

Everything went smooth although I almost really badly messed up haha.

Nice!

That story is so amazing. Classic workforce story. I can't wait to see your mural.

Are you going to post pictures Denice? When/if you do please tag me. I would love to see it.

As far as the shoulder, yea. I am trying to keep everything to a minimum. My work is super simple now and I have optimized the flow of my machinery and stuff so well that I don't have a ton of physical labor to do anymore.

I worked at Starbucks as a peak supervisor and working the espresso machines for 4.5 years just destroyed my shoulder. Picking up gallon jugs of milk 500-600 times a day pouring it, steaming it, pouring that and pumping syrups then bending over and putting the milk back in the fridge... Just wrecked me.

Thankfully I have moved on.

I did a small planting this year. 5 okra, 5 bigboy tomato, 5 sakura tomato, 5 cucumber. Should be more than enough to feed us and some neighbors. They are already in the ground I sprouted them from seed in the studio a while ago. About 12'' tall now. Okra is starting to produce as well as the Sakuras. It will be hot in Georgia in a month!

As far as what kept me away, a few things. My job was killing my shoulder and pottery was just adding to it. On top of that I had a 3rd son, and started a business during the pandemic. Spent about 2 years working 60+ hours a week between my job and my business. I left my job back in the end of January and haven't looked back. Thankfully my shoulder is on the mend now and doesn't hurt all day and night anymore.

I think I am going to focus on making jars for the forseeable future. I love making cups and such, but for some reason I am just drawn to making lidded jars right now. Go to go where the heart calls.

So I got very lucky and this firing was pretty much perfect. 

My son will be walking next month for sure. He is already standing up on his own and balancing!

Yes.

Yep. Worth every penny.

@oldlady It is outside I tossed it on the ground and put a plant in it. It is growing in my garden flower area.

This is very true. I like a good journey, lots of interesting discussion and things to see along the way.

Do you have plans on what you are going to fire? Going to go back to reduction or take the electric leap? 

YAY!!!! CONGRATULATIONS MAN!

Dang!

Thanks Old Lady and Benzine!

October 16th. Yea I guess this is how potters do the gender reveal lol? I don't really know. I just felt like making a nice satin blue glaze to go with my work. Got like 40 tiles in the kiln right now and some nuka test with wood ash.

Two boys! Both should have never been here according to the doctors and my treatments! But life is abundant and we are rejoicing!

Thanks for the CONGRATULATIONS! How have you been?

Good tip to remember ^.