Yet another question -- Kiln/greenware

Hi

In an effort to start the pottery "art"/"craft", I picked up 3 or 4 pieces
of greenware from a local place.
I was told it was a "low-fire" clay. I have very little artistic skill, so
I wanted to work with the "fire" aspects
of the art/craft of pottery. I got some old clay bricks and made a small
wood burning kiln. The clay
bricks was a good choice. They held up very well. I fired the kiln
yesterday for the first time... I cooked the
greenware for 7-8 hours (plus whatever time of "cooling off") which at
least 5 hours (if not more) the greenware
was "red" hot. I had fire coming out everwhere... Any way, the pieces are
not very hard.... I would have expected then to be harder... Is this
"typical" for wood fired kiln... Did I not cook it long enough? Also, I put
some under glaze on one and it will
come off with water (is this normal?)

"cannot help with the wood firing as i use an electric kiln, but, low
firing clay is fired to 06 bisque and the underglaze should burn into
the clay leaving a permanent colour.Was it underglaze or an acrylic
colour (which as it is non firing will burn off and wash off.) i am
sure there will be a potter who uses "the origional method" who can
put you right on the wood firing method.

Kiln building isn't usually the first thing a new potter tries. You are brave.
It sounds like your firing didn't make it to low fire temperatures( that's
about 1800-1900 degrees) if it is soft and the underglaze is washing off. Did
you use cones to tell how hot you fired?