For each piece to be made they have to be shaped by hand, put through a low heat firing called a bisque, have a glaze applied and then go through a high heat firing that lasts for anything between a few days to a week. Some survive, some crack, or fall over, or the glaze doesn't melt correctly. Some come out more beautiful than even expected. The unpredictability can break your heart, but it also keeps you coming back again and again.