It is indeed a shame. Many of the pieces can be re-fired to try to improve the aesthetic, but at $10/kg, I have to really want to save the pieces. Someday we will have our own kiln--which will be costly--but then we won't be asking ourselves the same questions... There are a couple of pieces that I don't care about and will just figuratively toss them in the Learning Pile, but some merit giving it another go. Unfortunately for us, our pottery teacher has moved her studio downtown (she used to live just across the highway), which will make taking pieces to her a bit of a chore and danger. I'm sure everyone will agree that Crazy Drivers and Hellacious Potholes do not agree with transporting pottery, unfired or otherwise.

Thanks for all your well wishes.

P.S. I finally had a moment to sit down and read The Bee Wife. Thoughts to follow after I have had time to savor.