Silene makes mostly functional stoneware pots at her studio in Northern Vermont and adds movement to the pieces with slips, simple glazes, and simple decoration. She fires a small kiln that she built in 2019 modeled after the "manabigama" design with some modifications for additional stoking ports and air options. The firing usually lasts around 24 hours to build up enough surface on the pots, after which the kiln is reduction cooled which takes around 6 hours. The surfaces that come out of the kiln are dark, nuanced, and vary greatly depending on location in the kiln. The firing of the small kiln lends itself to a relaxed atmosphere of enjoying the quiet methodical process and leaves plenty of time for learning, chatting, and eating tasty food between stokes. If you feel like heading north, firing some dark and moody pots, and having a relaxed time with cordwood and clay nerds, please join the fun!