In 1979 and 1980 the potters John Greiser and Greg Felando, newly arrived from Los Angeles built their first kiln which they had designed themselves. Design guides were gleaned from four books on kiln construction. But the "Dragon" was a voracious master, demanding 1.5 cords of wood for each firing.
 
  In 1986 with the supply of scrap redwood dwindling, the potters built a propane fired kiln from a kit. This they named "Boots" after their first and only ceramics teacher. For the next eleven years Boots fired all of the potter's work, until in 1997 wear and tear of the soft brick interior required a complete rebuild. After the reconstruction with "new and improved" soft brick the heat distribution inside Boots changed Markedly and copper red or Ox Blood glazes would no longer develop. It was time for a new kiln with more flexibility and control. A professional, microprocessor controlled, propane fired down draft kiln was Purchased from the Geil Kiln Company of Gardena California.
 

 
  In October of 1997 the new kiln arrived and was gently placed on a pre poured concrete pad. The building was quickly finished off and the first firing took place on November 14, 1997, just ahead of the El Nino driven downpours of the 1997-1998 rainy season.
 
  The first firing of the hi-tech apparatus was not without a glitch, as it was soon discovered that if the electrical power was interrupted for even a second the kiln would immediately shut down, extinguishing all burners. Living near the end of the power line in a heavily forested area does not make for reliable electrical power service, so an expensive battery based, non-interruptable power source had to be installed to feed Big Red. Soon the problems were overcome and three very successful glaze firings were completed for the 1997 Christmas Open House. Ox Blood had returned to Arcanum Ranch!
  Come On Out!  
  Arcanum Ranch Pottery is open to the public every weekend and every weekday that the potters are there. If you plan to visit on a weekday it would be wise to call ahead and verify. A varied collection of hand crafted pottery is always available for sale.
 
  Because of the special packing requirements necessary to ship ceramic objects safely, Arcanum Ranch pottery is sold only at the Studio. Two main periods of kiln firings take place in April-May and also in October-November. The amount of new ware is maximum following these times. The months of June and July are excellent times to visit since the inventory is large and the weather is warm. Ware produced during the Fall firings is not placed out for sale until December and makes up our Holidays Sale merchandise. So whenever you can: why don't you "come on out!". You'll be happy you did.
  For a free brochure and map call: (707) 986-7236
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