We used two types of pots for this firing: the original large pot capable of holding 7kg of glass and a new, small square pot which could fit inside a large pot if necessary, and which held about 2kg of glass.

Over nine days we broke four large pots. The breaks occurred at the bases of both long walls. This is where the flames and heat is concentrated, and we need to find a way to protect them at these points.

We also experimented with a nest made from daub fired to 1140°C. Into this we put a thin layer of sand and placed one square pot in it. The idea was to protect the pot from most of the immediate heat of the flames. This worked for the first few days, at which point the nest started to crack and gradually fall apart, causing the pot to slope and the large gaps to let in the flames. We changed this pot three times; each time using a new pot for blue, then purple, then back to blue glass. The pots broke on cooling when removed from the furnace.

The nest appeared to have been successful, acting as a sacrificial layer and helping to prevent the pots from cracking.

We also balanced a square pot at an angle to hold opaque white glass. This lasted for most of the week, although by the end of the firing there were a couple of cracks at the front.

The colour of the nest on its surfaces changed from a golden brown to a pale blue-grey. The reason for this is most likely a reducing atmosphere for a large part of the firings.