A quick explanation of the Raku firing process

I hand build each piece by hand with a Raku clay, which is quite gritty, so it can survive the thermal shock of the Raku firing process. Once the work is dry, it gets bisque fired (in an electric kiln). After the bisque firing I glaze it, sometimes leaving parts that I want to turn black from the smoke.  The pieces are put in the kiln (see above) and I fire them to around 950°C. While they are still glowing red hot, they are then placed in a bucket with material that easily catches fire. The lid goes on and this starves the work of oxygen. This hopefully creates wonderful effects. Smoke goes where there are crackles in the glaze. The parts that do not have glaze will have a matte black colouring. After it has been in the bin with combustables it will need a good scrub.

 

Due to the porous nature of raku, it is for decoration purpose only. It is also not frost proof. 

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