Raku Firing

Yesterday on a very hot day, along with two friends - a raku firing. I managed to test only three out of the five glazes I planned. It was a really hot day and a day of much learning. I get reminded that every small detail is important - the height of the shelf in the kiln, the angle of the burner, the amount of oxygen coming in, and the importance of a full gas tank. It's a very intense and powerful experience. Yesterday evening I was sure that my appetite for raku was satisfied for many months, this morning I'm already planning the next firing...

Here are some results:

'gold raku' was the last batch to be fired and an interesting result.

'Dalya's raku' which was applied a bit too thick and did not reach the optimal temperature.

pink raku' that also did not reach the right temperature and did not fully open.

Raku Glazes

Pots glazed in five different Raku glazes - large crackles, small crackles, gold, pink and clear pink - waiting to be fired...

Assembling

Different parts - body, lid, spout, handles - thrown on the wheel, measured, joined together, trimmed and altered - are assembled to create a complete teapot.

Pitcher & Mugs

Ash glazed pitcher and mugs.

Bread & Butter

A set of 4 small saucers is my 'best seller' these days.

Hard Work

While working in the studio, I couldn't resist capturing our dog's (Bez'a) wise choice of passing the hot summer days.

Containing

Two new forms of containers.

Omar Khayyam

"All this of Pot and Potter - Tell me then, Who is the potter, pray, and who the pot?"

Another Glass Experiment

Glass

Inspired by Eileen's containers with glass on the lid, I made some experiments. My first reaction when I opened the kiln was disappointment - the glass had spread out widely, more than was expected. On a 2ed and 3rd look I started to like them. They remind me of a cosmos activity - the beauty of uncontrolled creation.

Shino Glaze

I use Malcom's carbon trap shino. This picture shows a pot glazed (after bisque) with shino glaze. After it dries a pattern appears, that's where the carbon will 'play' and decorate the pot.

Glazing

I've always wanted to try the glazing technique in which you rap the pot with rope, glaze the pot and then remove the rope to get a spontaneous striped look. This pot is meant for a raku firing, meaning the stripes now white (without glaze) should get black from the smoking.