Jayme Allen is the artist behind Firebug Pottery studio. Jayme began throwing pots after taking a evening ceramics class in 2003 at a small community college in Southwest Kansas where he grew up. After seeing the potential of what could be made with clay, the depth of knowledge and wisdom that must be undertaken, as well as the ease of recycling, he was soon completely encompassed in the clay world. After a year and a half of study in Kansas, Jayme graduated the community college with an associates degree in science as well as an award of special recognition in ceramics. After graduation in 2005 , Jayme moved to the Hood River area of Oregon to be more involved in the art society as well as to continue his education at the University of Oregon. During the year of establishing residency, Firebug Pottery was started, working only with an old wheel, and a small, poor kiln to produce mainly raku style pots. After six months of producing raku pots he had finally made enough money to upgrade to a kiln that was capable of producing high-fired work. This was in June of 2006 when Jayme's simple line of functional ware humbly emerged. Jayme then moved to Eugene to begin working on a bachelor's degree in art. Over the last two years, Jayme has learned many techniques and theories that have deeply influenced his work. Studying both in school, and at his own studio, Jayme worked day and night to research forms, techniques, glaze theory, and firing techniques. During this time, Jayme produced nearly 1000 glaze tests, and participated in firing every kiln at the university including electric, gas, soda, and wood. The result of this is Jayme's unique approach to firing, which draws influence from all of these techniqes and incorporates it all together to fire work in electric kilns in an entirely new approach, resulting in unusual glazes, as well as extremely durable wares. Part of this technique is the idea of  firing extremely slowly as well as slow cooling, influenced by the slow heating and cooling wood and soda kilns. This process allows the glaze to melt completely, and also allows the materials to move freely in the glaze matrix, forming small crystals, and areas of concentrations of different chemicals. Jayme not only mixes his own glazes, but also develops the recipes himself as well. Jayme has also recently become interested in digging and processing his own clay and glaze materials, which are explained more in depth in the my glazes page.