Raku Firing – Sept 26

This is for folks to sign up to fire any raku pots, or fish,  they have made in my workshops – or help. In order for the raku firing to take place, I need at least 6 people. If you have not made a pot, and just want to help, your help is welcome! No experience necessary. For those who have made something – please feel free to bring them along, friends or family with no experience,  if they can help. 

Tasks as a part of the raku firing:

• Removal of red hot pot (or fish) from kiln with tongs to place in garbage can filled with combustible materials
• Someone to fan the flames and then put the top on the garbage can once the pot (or fish) is placed inside

This firing will take place Friday, September 26, from 6 -8 pm. If you can get to the studio early,  after 5 pm to glaze your pot (fish), that would be great. I would like to do 2 firings. Each firing takes about an hour.  Bring a camp chair.  

The firing will be cancelled/postponed in the event of rain, extreme heat, or fewer than 6 people. 

Please do not wear open toe shoes, or loose fitting clothes, and it is a good idea to tie your hair back.

Once your pot is cool enough to take out of the garbage can, it is placed into water to thoroughly cool. Once cool, you will scrub it clean, hopefully removing the carbon and exposing the cool glazes underneath. You then dry it, and coat it with floor wax to slow down the continued oxidation of the pot and protect the iridescence of the piece. If it has an unglazed part, you can add some black acrylic paint to highlight the contrast between the unglazed and glazed. 

We will try to fire the piece you made during the time that you help – this is subject to room in the kiln. If you make more than one item, every effort will be made to make sure at least one item gets into the kiln. I do not anticipate that at least one of your items does not make it into the kiln. Other items will be fired when there is room in the kiln. 

Raku pottery is, for the most part, decorative and not intended to be used functionally. 

Click here to sign up: raku firing