RUSH

Every year about this time I am always wondering, what will be the last order, the last package to go out and every year it gets so close to Christmas and New Years that I just don't think I can get things done or out in time. This year, the last package to go out was on Friday, two sets of four bowls each in two different sizes, the package is supposed to be delivered tomorrow, Christmas Eve. However, this year my very last order came last week, for pots not made or fired mind you asking if it were possible to get them at their destination by next Friday, 12/27.     

The order was for two teabowls and two koro with lids, on set in soda blue and the other in Oribe and came in last Tuesday. Thank goodness they were smalls so I set about throwing the four pieces and two lids and got them all firmed up to trim later that afternoon, don't ask, stupid drying process. Once tooled and slipped, all four were force dried and put in the small kiln that evening and I fired them to bisque and quickly unloaded them by Thursday morning where they were glazed and reloaded for a glaze firing which I fired on Friday but just couldn't get them cool enough to make the Post office on Saturday. Packed them up yesterday morning and shipped them off this A.M. With any luck they should arrive on Thursday with one day to spare. Though I like a challenge, more often than not these types of rush jobs don't always end well. Hopefully next time around I have at least one extra day.      

I didn't take the time or get the opportunity to get the pieces photographed so I am using a stand-in for a photo to go along with this long winded tale. This teabowl was thrown out of stoneware and then had white slip apllied before getting the hakeme treatment for which this form responds rather nicely. The bowls and koro were all based on this form and idea though two were done in Oribe, at the very least it gives you an idea of what all the rush was about.

 HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!