Oki Doki is built around student empowerment. I’m used to a kiln loader observing for a whole firing before placing any pots. Each student here loaded at least one shelf with me, giving them a much better understanding of interior dynamics of the kiln.

During the firing, I gave firing guidance and helped troubleshoot, but the students did most of everything. It helped that most folks had firing experience, with the more experienced folks helping the newbies.

It helped that the kiln was so cooperative. It was a small, flat anagama, maybe 10ft long. It was so responsive that I was encouraging the students to try and play with the passive dampers. They could see the results of a change immediately, and if they didn’t like it, they could easily go back.

Also the people were wonderful, the food was great, and a heron spent the whole firing eating crayfish in the lake next to the kiln.

Crunch crunch crunch.