[Element Life and Kiln Best Practices]

It sounds like you already know that opening your kill while it’s too hot as well as candleing  for a very long time are both contributing  your elements wearing out.
 

Is your kiln vented? If not, do you prop the lid until it reaches 900° and leave the top plug out during the entire firing? Do you regularly vacuum your elements? All of this will help you get the maximum life out of elements.
 

I have a Skutt 818-30A and also fire to Cones 06 and 6. I have about 175 firings on my elements and they still work fine. My bisque-to-glaze firings are about 2/1 and I only candle bisque firings for 1-2 hours. I don’t candle glazes firings. 

[QotW: What is a realistic amount of time to spend before being able to produce quality thrown forms on the wheel.Meaning ones that others will want (not family members)]

Well said, Mea! I was 44 when I threw my first pot, and have always collected pottery, have a business in the art world and have dabbled in a lot of hobbies and activities that require working with my hands, including being a pastry chef in a past life. So, I brought a lot to ceramics based on my interests and experiences... and age.  

[QotW: What is a realistic amount of time to spend before being able to produce quality thrown forms on the wheel.Meaning ones that others will want (not family members)]

I started selling my pottery after 4 months of working on it 1 day a week. I have (hopefully!) improved since then, but I started selling it when I felt it was good enough for a stranger to buy it and like it. Worked out fine.   Plenty of pieces ended up in the trash though and I was very selective about what I would offer up for sale.  

[QotW: Do you have an environmental companion in your studio while you work?]

Music via Alexa.  I can tell her to play whatever I'm in the mood for without having to touch anything. Very helpful during throwing.