* Click Away - Raku on the Internet

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* While the Smoke Clears *

Happy New Year!!!

Well, keeping with tradition, I suppose I need some Raku oriented New Years Resolutions. Ok, here's what I've come up with.
1. Finish writing a Raku book I've started
2. Revamp my http://www.garyrferguson.com website
3. Apply to at least four Juried Exhibits
4. Sell more art in eBay
5. Double the subscribers to the Just Raku newsletter
That enough? That should keep me busy during 2004. You can help be out with the last one by forwarding this newsletter to all your potter-friends and encourage them to subscribe.

Got Raku? I got my "Got Raku?" sweatshirt in the mail just before Christmas and it looked really cool! I was very excited - I buy myself the best presents! If you want to be good to yourself too check out: http://www.cafepress.com/gotraku

Remember I always look forward to your feedback, suggestions, questions, and article ideas at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Gary R. Ferguson
- Raku Artist -
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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"Our class fired again last night, and the instructor followed your tips and voila. Boy do we have copper. Its great knowing we can do it, and I really appreciate your help. Thanks again!"-Shannon P. http://www.rakusecrets.com
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* From the Studio *

With the holidays in December, not much production occurred in the studio other than my inventory dwindled with the rush of holiday sales. Wish I always had this problem! Ebay has provided a steady stream of sales that is nice compared to the "all and then nothing" of doing periodic shows. Can you tell I'm starting to like this eBay thing? You can see my current listings at:
http://tinyurl.com/tn08

I finally ordered an extruder for the studio. I've wanted one for quite a while and finally broke down and ordered one. It should arrive soon, and I'm looking forward to playing with this new toy.

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"Our class fired again last night, and the instructor followed your tips and voila. Boy do we have copper. Its great knowing we can do it, and I really appreciate your help. Thanks again!"-Shannon P. http://www.rakusecrets.com
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* Article *

One Inch + One Hour = Creativity

What can you do with a one-inch cube of clay?

Can you really spend an hour working with only that much clay?

This was the first two thoughts that when through my mind at a recent workshop given by Richard Notkin. Richard started his workshop by taking a big block of clay and cutting it into roughly 1-inch cube chunks of clay and tossing them to each person attending the workshop.

Then a box of simple tools was passed around for everyone to pick one. These were basically Popsicle sticks with one end sharpen to a point.

Richard then started a timer and told us we had one hour to make something with the clay we received and the real kicker was - we had to use the WHOLE hour. He also instructed us to not talk during the one-hour period.

There were several attendees with a look of surprise on their face, mine included. How was I going to work on one inch of clay for 60 minutes?

Well everyone got to work on their piece of clay, and I will say the exercise created several challenges. In the beginning, the clay was too soft to create slabs to construct a piece. As the hour progress, the clay quickly dried to the point it became difficult to form pieces with out cracking.

As the hour progressed, I felt I was "done" about three or four times, but I continued to press on, adding a new feature, texture, or shaping. The requirement to use the whole hour definitely forced one to push the creativity bounds.

When the exercise was over, all the works of art were placed in the middle of the room and the process was critiqued. It was amazing the variety of works that were produced and how people's opinion of the process had changed.

A majority of people, at the end of the process, felt the hour was not long enough, which was definitely a different opinion than most had at the beginning of the exercise.

Another common theme was most felt the work they created in the exercise was not similar to their normal work - meaning, most people were exploring new potential avenues for their work to take.

Finally most felt, working on a new idea or theme in miniature was a great way to flesh out a concept before committing the time (or clay) to a full sized piece.
Overall, it was a great kickoff to a wonderful workshop, and a great new exercise to spark the creative process in your own work.

Give it a try! You may be surprised.

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Raku: A Practical Approach by Steven Branfman
The "nuts and bolts" how-to book of Raku
Order 30% off at: http://tinyurl.com/8m5k
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* Tips and Techniques *

This month's tip was sparked by the following reader's question:

"I'm a subscriber and now I have a question. Do you know about a tool that can cut the edge of a slab when you build a box, can you tell me where I can get it? I thank you for your help. Hope to hear from you soon."

I know a tool, but I don't know if/where to buy them, but you can make one pretty easy.

Take a small block of wood (approximately 1 cm x 10 cm x 15cm) Cut a small square notch out of one corner (approximately 1 or 2 cm square) Then stretch a thin wire all around the block This will create a nice 45 degree angle of wire across the cut notch

To use the tool lay the slab on a table. Place the block on the table with the notch facing the slab edge. Draw the block along the edge of the slab toward you. This should create a 45-degree cut angle along the edge of the slab that can be used for a mitered corner.

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New! For a limited time only you can get Just Raku Logowear. This is a great way to show your support for the newsletter. To see what is available go to:
http://www.cafepress.com/justraku
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* Q & A *

Q: I wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for the e-newsletter, I've been receiving it for only a few months so far but I love it. I was wondering if you know this: What is the best way to filter silica particles from the clay out of my studio? I understand they are very small, do you think a regular air filter would do the job? I know this is
not directly a Raku-related question but if you know the answer or could refer me somewhere that would be great. Thank you very much and have a happy new year!
Z. Lang

A: I guess it all depends on the volume of silica that you are using in your workshop. If you regularly mix clay or glazes with silica you would probably be wise to invest in studio sized air filtration system.

If you only periodically mix silica (or other powdered materials), you can probably get away with a respirator to keep from ingesting the dust. It's also a good idea to wear gloves and safety glasses. This will keep most of the dust out of your body, but not out of the studio.

To lower the dust in the studio, keep all materials in covered containers. Also try to mix dry materials only after the required water has been added to keep dust down. Finally you should regularly wet mop the floor to pick up stray dust.

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"Our class fired again last night, and the instructor followed your tips and voila. Boy do we have copper. Its great knowing we can do it, and I really appreciate your help. Thanks again!"-Shannon P. http://www.rakusecrets.com
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* Glazing *

The following tip on firing a crackle and matte glaze together on the same pieces was shared by a reader, K. Bond:

One trick I tried when using crackle and copper matte glazes together that will usually result bringing out the crackle and minimizing the effects of the copper matte glaze is to use wet newspaper. I place the piece in the can quickly, as though the piece is all a matte copper glaze. I then place wet newspaper on the white crackle part of the piece (over the neck of the vase or on the side/end that is crackle) and then seal the reduction can. The wet, cool newspaper seems to crackle the glaze as though it was held out to cool before placing in the can. This will sometimes result in some of the copper matte going a bit green if the wet newspaper touches it, but the affect sometimes does enhance the result of the copper glaze.

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Raku Pottery by Robert Piepenburg
The must have "Bible" of Raku
Order at: http://tinyurl.com/8m5b
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* Reader Feedback *
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Dear Gary

Although I have heard of Sugar and Naked Raku, Western Raku is a new term for me. Can you tell me more please?
Regards
Catherine B.

Hi Catherine:

Western Raku is the term I have always heard associated with the Raku method typically used today (developed by Paul Soldner), a quick firing and post-firing reduction using combustibles, etc. which differs considerably from the original Japanese Raku method of a quick firing without the reduction process.
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Hi Gary,

Really enjoy your newsletter.
Have a few questions regarding E-bay? Do you have an E-bay store? If so, what is the monthly fee? Most of our pottery is high-fired functional and would not be suitable for bidding; however, our mixed media and Raku are prospects. I built our Raku kiln out of an old electric kiln, purchased a good burner and a 100lb Propane tank. It's on a counterweight system and I have to dig a hole. Keep up the great work. I'll visit your website often and check your E-bay site too. Thank you for your interesting newsletters.
Marty B.

Hi Marty:

I do not have an eBay store. I have figured since I have a website, I don't need both. If I understand it correctly an eBay store is like $20 a month and then a charge for each item you list (cheaper than an auction listing). If you don't have a website, it might be a good option.

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Hello Gary,

As always, I enjoy your newsletter. A note about eBay - I have eBayed for several years now and when it comes to listing an item, if the item is listed on a Friday evening for a 10-day auction, it will include two weekends. Sometimes this is a good thing. Thanks and Keep up the good work on the newsletter.
Jerry M.

Thanks for this tip Jerry. If I remember correctly, the 10-day option is only an addition .10 in listing fees.

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Dear Gary,

I just browsed the newsletter and saw that you had started jewelry. I produced Raku for 30+ years and have retired, but I have a couple of tips for "smalls," especially if you want to do a lot of small tiles, bottles, etc. I used a copper-enameling kiln from Paragon. About $700 with a chamber 7-8" tall and a foot square bottom. Had a 220 plug in the studio and an exterior one. The kiln was light enough to carry. It had a front opening door. Could even fire indoors with smokeless Raku technique. Used a copper washtub full of sand and coffee cans to cover. Kitchen BBQ tongs as tools. Just like full size only miniature. Produced these smalls in the winter and stockpiled them to compliment my full sized line. I fired the full sized work with propane. Actually the electric (with pyrometer) was more consistent. It was fool proof. Never had a piece fail.
Cheryl C.

Thanks Cheryl! You provided several great tips for the "miniature" Raku potter.
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Does anybody have easy instructions for taking apart an old Cress elec. Kiln that has worn out elements and building a Raku kiln w/propane gas for home use?
Marrianna D.

I understand the basic concept of converting an electric kiln to a Raku kiln, but don't have any actual plans.
Remove the elements
Cut a Burner Port hole
Cut a Flue hole
Any readers have more detailed plans for Marrianna?

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Hey Gary,

Just finished reading the newsletter. As always it was both informative and entertaining. I have been looking for a copper matt glaze, which uses Black Copper Oxide and a high alkaline frit. This glaze produces brilliant colors of magenta, blue, maroon. I have seen examples of it on Dan Leonette's web site as well as others but have not been able to get a recipe or a starting place other than black copper oxide and high alkaline frit. Can you give me any info on where I can get a recipe for this type of glaze?
BTW I wore my "Just Raku" T-shirt in the studio yesterday. It looks great with clay slung all over it and I do believe it improved my throwing!!!!

Allyson M.

Ok Just Raku readers. Anyone know of a Raku Glaze that Allyson is after? If so, please share. Also, you've heard it from Allyson - a Just Raku T-Shirt will improve your throwing!!! So improve your throwing at:
http://www.cafepress.com/justraku

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"Our class fired again last night, and the instructor followed your tips and voila. Boy do we have copper. Its great knowing we can do it, and I really appreciate your help. Thanks again!"-Shannon P. http://www.rakusecrets.com
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* Click Away *

Sample Work from the North Carolina Triangle Potters Guild
http://www.lightonecandle.com/tpg/gallerynew.html

Dan Leonette
http://www.leonette.com/

Just Raku Logowear
http://www.cafepress.com/justraku

Got Raku? It does a Clay Body Good!
http://www.cafepress.com/gotraku

Just Raku Newsletter Archive
The past issues can be found at http://www.JustRaku.com

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Raku: Investigations Into Fire by David Jones
Order 30% off at: http://tinyurl.com/8m5x
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