RE: Firing schedule for small jewelry piecese
I have had good luck firing to 1000 deg F at a rate of 1000/hr, then full speed to about 1475-ish, hold for 15 minutes, flash cool to 1000, and then just letting it cool on its own. I have a small paragon kiln with the bead door & view window.
The only time I have gotten rough edges is when I have tried to use a small strip of fiber blanket to leave an opening, and the top piece was smaller than the bottom (I was learning and clueless. Well, I still am 
Dana
