mel jacobson on mon 4 feb 02
each time a kiln is fired there should be a leader.
usually the one that owns the kiln.
i am a strong believer in `not` having group efforts
while firing. (at hay creek we draw a picture of what
we want the cones to look like when the kiln is done. save
argument.) there is always a kiln leader...and most often
that is a woman. no one second guesses the leader.
kilns need workers, folks to split wood, help, learn...discuss, but
one person has to be the general, the leader whom all
others turn to.
i have talked with karen terpstra at great length about this
issue...and she is very clear as to who owns her kiln.
this is not a gender issue. not at all. it is an issue of ownership.
when you own your kiln as merrie does, she has to be the
leader. no one else can come on her property, live in her home,
eat bill's food and tell her what to do. she is the kiln. the only
person that gets that extra `right` is lowell. he ran the kiln's construction.
karen designed and built her own kiln. i have seen it. it is a very
well engineered kiln. has several features that are `very good` design.
some would wonder why she did not follow the old iowa plan...well,
that is easy to answer...she had a better idea.
the issues should not gender based. it is about being a confident, leader,
potter. how else can anyone survive the rigors of firing? what is
worse than a husband with a tiny bit of information? i have gone
over that one several times...nils too. we had a real dandy several
years ago. husband did not know anything, but was telling his
wife how to fire. bad combo. it took me...firing that kiln alone....
and showing how it had to be done. that took care of mouthy husband
that thought i did not know jack. well, the kiln fired in 5 hours to cone
10 with about 70 percent reduction in gas pressure. they were firing
for 18 hours and not making cone 8.
(we covered the gauges with duct tape. got it in balance...then
let her go.
if you own a kiln...fire it. be in charge...do not let others
tell you what to do.... help and knowledge are always good, but
telling....not. asking for instruction from a serious teacher always
works. they do not stay and take over your kiln. it is a one shot
deal most often.
i fired a kiln over the internet last week.
changed some things while the kiln fired. first thing
we did was remove the `china cap` rain cap. it was restricting
the firing. things got better real fast. (hate those damn things.)
also, as often happens, turned down the gas pressure...and used
the damper for reduction. it shot up like a rocket.
next time she fires, she will turn the kiln down one more notch
for the entire firing. she is ready to take control of that kiln. it is
hers. she is a fine potter.....still with some trepidation of the gas
kiln.
firing a fuel kiln is like going to war. get a helmet, a big stick.
pump up...and take charge. when things do not work right, remember,
it is not always `charge full ahead`. sometimes backing off, let the kiln
clear and get in balance. then move on.
there is no place for gender in the firing pit. it is just potters taking
charge of their kilns. it is a serious business. get after it.
mel
From:
Minnetonka, Minnesota, U.S.A.
web site: http://www.pclink.com/melpots
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