Unloading The Kiln

I get super excited every time I unload a kiln. I always say it's like Christmas when you were a kid. Everything goes into the kiln covered in glaze that is all one color. My glaze these days is green so every button, bead and bowl is green when it goes into the kiln. I fire to almost 2000 degrees F so it's hot and I have to wait for it to cool down.

Over the years I have built up some heat resistant fingers. You know at restaurants when they tell you to watch the plate because it's hot? I just grab it without problems and it always gives the waitress a scare.

After I can open it all the way, it's about 150 degrees. Everything is suspended on high temperature wires. Glaze is basically ground up glass so when it reaches it's firing temperature it melts. If things were sitting on the kiln shelves, they would be stuck there forever. That is why everything is hung on wires.

I pull everything out and lay them on a metal tray. They are still pretty warm at this point.

Bowls and pottery have clean bottoms so they sit directly on the shelf.

Here are little bird nests sitting and waiting to be brought in to the studio.

 Pottery is waiting patiently as well.

After cooling a little bit more, the beads and buttons are taken off the wires. Next, I sort them, put the buttons on cards and photograph them for my shop.

Enjoy your day!

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CHA

Hey Hey!

I went to CHA this week. I have always wanted to check out the show and see what it was all about. Katie Hacker and Candie Cooper talked me into coming this year. It was fun, thanks girls. We took a photo together with our funky bags.


Here a picture of Jamie Hogsett and I from one of the evening parties. It was fun catching up with her and Sara Hardin( she took the photo).

For those of you who don't know CHA stands for Craft and Hobby Association. There is every craft imaginable there, it was so much fun to see the debut of new products and to see the trends coming into stores. I have been told the January show is four times as big, I can't even imagine walking that show, this one exhausted me!

So I am now back home for a month, got to get working on button orders, sewing, holiday projects and more. No time for sleep here, fabric comes out in a month, wahoo! Sign up for my newsletter if you're not already getting them. I will be sending out a calendar, announcements, and introductions to my new helpers soon.

Have a good weekend,

Ornament Thursday....Lucky

Here it is, my Ornament Thursday project. This month's theme is Lucky. This bracelet will bring the wearer all kinds of good luck, or at least I hope so. The Lucky ceramic charms include a horse shoe, lucky star, ladybug, and four leaf clover. I attched the charms to a sterling silver charm bracelet with tiny, but strong jump rings.

As I said it's Ornament Thursday, so that means that there are 14 other fabulous Lucky themed projects for you to see. Check out what everyone else has made.

Happy Ornament Thursday!
Jennifer

Art Bead Scene Lucky ABS! We're part 2 of Lucky Knots!

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva Luck is knotted up in Part 1 of this tutorial

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Melanie is inspired by a lucky Leprechaun to make a fairy tale, treasure filled necklace

Jennifer Heynen of Jangles Lucky Charms Bracelet...The name says it all. This bracelet has everything to bring you good luck.

Joolz by Lisa As Luck Would Have It...Lucky Earrings

Katie's Beading Blog Make your own luck with these fun, swingy earrings!

Labyrinth O' Luck Hali has created a finger labyrinth journal designed after a 4-leaf clover.

Linda Augsburg at Make It Mine magazine Lucky doesn't begin to describe the adventure I had making this T-shirt...

Lucky Lucky to be... based on a coin holder a friend made for me...

Lucky To Be Me Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all? Well, YOU, of course. No matter who you are when you look into this magical mirror, you'll be reminded you're lucky to be you!

Lynn Kvigne - Beading Help Web Irish Proverb Window Ornament - step by step instructions for making this year-round ornament that may bring luck right through your window!

Melissa J. Lee - Strands of Beads Good fortune is yours with this cookie-inspired necklace.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! You'll "make Jean's day " if you check out her lucky Pendant with a Clint Eastwood eighties twist

Swelldesigner Swelldesigner gets lucky this month with some super colorful, sparkly painted bangles

The Impatient Blogger Luck starts with a wish...Margot shares an project she created for Simply Beads last August.