Moment of Truth

Opening the kiln is both fun and nerve-wracking, especially when the clay is really too damp still to be safely fired, which is what I did yesterday. I need to have some new pieces for the Nueva Street Gallery this morning, so I pushed it, loaded the kiln and crossed my fingers.
Hooray, the Kiln Gods were looking out for me - it was a perfect firing. I took a photo before I opened it early this morning and then just as I lifted the lid. It looks like a smaller firing that it actually was because there are pieces stacked under the shelf on the right. But nothing broke! And, even better, two of the new pieces sold at the gallery this afternoon.