Except not so much sugar plums dancing over my head, but a ginormous kiln.  I've been dreaming of a serious production kiln for probably the better part of a year.  It's a big decision on many levels, and with me being such a tool and tech geek I have to be sure that I'm drooling for practical reasons rather than the "Holy cow I want that because it's COOL!" reasons.  I have to consider the space requirements, the cost of the kiln and kiln accessories, and the cost of having an electrician run wiring for the kiln.  Then there's the whole set of growing pains of "getting to know" a new piece of equipment.  But when it comes down to comparing the kiln I have now versus the kiln I want ... it's really a no brainer.  My current kiln is wonderful, but it's small.  The shelf is a 13 inch circle, which means I'm limited to that size or smaller for all the things I make.  It's also only about 6 inches deep which limits me to making things no taller than my signature candle holders.  I also enjoy making wine bottle dishes, but magnums don't fit in my little kiln.  I'd also love to make serving platters and vases, but again, far to big of my kiln.  So I went to Anything In Stained Glass in Frederick, MD and proceeded to drool over the enormity of the Olympic 3014 GFE Glass Kiln.  By my calculations, I should be able to fit about 10 750ml bottles in this kiln at once.  This kiln will also give me the ability to help out my fellow local glass artists by providing them another resource for firing their glass work.

Isn't it a thing of beauty?  The oval (versus round or square) shape heats the space more evenly which gives more consistent results.  Heating elements on both the top and sides makes it more energy efficient because all of the heating elements don't have to be on all the time.  And back to the size thing ... It's deeper than my current kiln is wide!  I can make some glorious vases in this thing!  It even has a lift assist for the lid so you don't need to be the Hulk to lift it.

This beautiful piece of equipment is going to revolutionize the way I work with warm glass.  I'll be able to drastically expand my product offering, and I can't wait to start experimenting with my bigger space.  But I will need to be patient a little more.  I'll likely receive it in February - Olympic has to build it first.  I'm OK with that.  It gives me time to get the wiring done and do some housekeeping to clear out space for the beast of a kiln.  Come Springtime, you can expect to see some new things coming from the studio.  I also happen to know that my customers and friends are wildly intelligent and creative people too, so if you have any suggestions on things I should make, send them my way!  I'm always happy to receive a creative challenge from folks because it allows me to expand my artistic horizons.

I read another blogger's post this morning.  It was about him being bitten by a dog, and his young son almost being attacked by the same dog too.  I was ready to be angry and join the Internet mob against the owner of the dog ... but Single Dad Laughing doesn't roll like that.  I should know this by now!  Instead, he talked to the owner and long story short, their family is in a VERY tough situation and they could really use a flood of love coming their way rather than that angry Internet mob.  Dan asked for donations, and donations he's getting!  I donated what personal cash I can to them, but I don't feel like that's enough.  So if you can find it in your heart to get behind this cause and either donate as well or go shopping in my store, I'll donate proceeds from all the sales I receive today through Wednesday and you can feel good knowing the money is going to a good family in need and you can have a beautiful work of glass either to keep or give it as a gift to someone you care about.  Also, all the orders placed by Midnight Wednesday in the USA should all be received by Christmas.  Shipping is always free on all my orders being sent inside the USA.

I highly recommend reading Dan's blog about the event, and the link to donate is on his page too.