Our First Raku Attempt

Our first raku experiment did not go as well as we had hoped. 

Because we all come from a crafting background, it is very difficult for any of us to throw anything away.  So, even if an item didn’t come out of the mold in saleable condition, we finish them to be used for testing glazes and experimentation. 

The pot we chose was earthenware, and that had several problems, first it was poured too thin, second it had several finger dents in it from handling while it was still wet.  We have since learned that earthenware is not ideal for raku.  However, if you add 2 lb. of 90 mesh silica sand, 1/2 lb. of 48 mesh kyanite, and  1/2 lb. of 35 mesh kyanite to a gallon of earthenware slip, it would be far more likely to withstand the shock of being submerged in water while it is still hot.

We coated our pot with 3 coats of a glaze that was recommended for use in making raku and let it dry for a couple of days. 

We talked our landlord and some of the other gentlemen in our building into helping us drag one of our kilns outdoors.  Because they were all interested in the raku process, we had more consultants than we needed for this project. 

Our landlord also agreed to suit up and help with the “hot work”.  Something about putting on a leather apron, wearing Kevlar gloves, and a face shield and using tongs, appealed to the testosterone in his blood, so talking him into helping was no problem at all.  He even contributed his pyrometer for the job.

Even the other male in our building had to oversee our project.

When our kiln reach 1800°, we thought it was time to remove the pot from the kiln.  We have since learned that, this was not hot enough.  1800° is the low end of the firing scale for raku.

We pulled the pot out of the kiln, it was looking good at that time, we put it into the garbage can filled with leaves and shredded paper.  

We let the paper catch on fire and then quick put the lid  on the garbage can.

“Hey, someone turn on the hose!"

Of course, we had to take a peek.  “What was that sound?  Did anyone else hear a ping?  Oh not good!”

It’s hard to see through the smoke to grab that baby.

Okay into the water.  Still looking good, in one piece.

But what about that ping I heard?

Isn’t that pretty, we were very excited about how this looked.

Okay….time for the reveal. 

Having trouble getting a hold of it...It  keeps breaking!

This is the biggest piece.  But...isn’t it pretty?

Well….here is our finished project.

I guess it’s like the joke about the surgeon “Well...there’s good news and there’s bad news.  The operation was a success, but the patient died.”  We successfully completed the raku project but the pot broke.

We are undaunted, on to the second attempt….the kiln broke!

We are still undaunted…using a different kiln…..stay tuned the saga continues…