At the end of 2021, we were out in the USA again. I took the opportunity to work on my production throwing at community studio Morning Ceramics, a month before Christmas. I'm not a great production thrower, but was pretty proud to be able to make 17 mugs a week. I put some into my first soda firing, with Sam (@Suayceramics). His shared studio space at Clay Compound had a gas fired soda kiln, and I was able to take part in a firing. It was fascinating - from spraying the glazes to the flame (!) in the kiln, the drama of reduction and firing night and day. It was a beautifully quick firing though - loading on Friday, finishing on Sunday with a barbecue. Such a great gang out in that corner of Portland, too.

When Sam and Maya (@Maya.Elin.1) set up a glaze course out at the wood fired soda kiln in East Creek - I signed up. What a great opportunity - one I'd wanted to try basically since starting ceramics. East Creek was an amazing first experience, too - about 30 ceramicists were there for the load, all passionate about clay and super friendly. We fired from early morning Saturday until Sunday afternoon in six hour shifts - but with so many of us it was actually quite busy! I got some beautiful results.