Night Raku Firing - June

Service Description

Price per piece. Once the 50 pcs limit is reached we will schedule more firings. *NOTE: NOT FOOD SAFE OR WATERTIGHT* Raku firing is an ancient Japanese ceramics technique that has been used for many centuries to create a unique finish to your wares. Raku is when glazed ceramics are taken from the kiln while they are still glowing red hot and are then placed in specific materials that would be able to catch fire, such as sawdust or newspaper. This allows the pieces to be starved of oxygen, which creates limitless colors within the glaze. When a Raku firing is done without glaze being applied on your ware, it allows oxygen to be taken from the clay itself rather than the glaze, which may result in some areas having a matte black finish. Raku firing creates beautifully unique pieces as there is never a certainty as to how the final piece will turn out. Raku is an amazing way to create something unique with each fire. Raku firing is quicker than normal firing. Each firing takes around 40 minutes in comparison to a regular firing which can take up to 15 hours. We have 10 Raku glazes for you to choose from with instructions on how to apply. Glazing must take place no later than the day before the firing to ensure it has time to dry. You need: - Newspaper - Small bundle for each piece you bring. If you want to help please bring: - Respirator (K95 masks available but it will be smokey & you may want something better) - Close Toed Shoes - Clothes you don't mind getting dirty, no loose fitting clothes. We will provide: - Goggles, aprons, gloves and tongs Making Ceramics for Raku Firing (specification) 1. Pieces should be made within 11” in height and 8”in diameter. Pieces larger than this will be too heavy and/or wide to pick up with tongs. This size parameter is also in consideration of other participants bringing work and not taking too much space in the kiln. 2. Pieces should be made not too thin nor too thick. The important consideration is that the walls should be even. Since Raku firing creates thermal shock in the wares, unevenly made pieces have a higher likelihood of cracking, warping, or exploding. 3. Best clay to use will contain high amounts of sand or grog. e.g. Soldate 60, Rods Bod, etc. Avoid using white stoneware like B-Mix and/or porcelains, these have a high probability of issues in the firing. Mid-range to high-fire clays are okay. Glazing Days - Wednesday 9/4 from 1PM - 3PM - Thursday 9/5 from 2PM to 4PM