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In This Issue * While the Smoke Clears – 2 days, 970 Miles and 2 wheels * Steven Branfman Interview * Bowl Flashing * Garbage Can Kiln Done? * 100% Raku Glaze * More N@ked Raku * Mystery Glaze Quest * Raku Links * October Workshops in Kansas, Arizona and Numerous in Utah ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ * While the Smoke Clears * I just had a wonderful adventure. Late last year I bought a new motorcycle and me and a buddy took an interesting two-day trip a couple weeks ago. We belong to a club that has an Idaho Tour program this year. What this entails is visiting 25 of 30 pre-selected small towns in Idaho and collecting pictures of you, your bike, and the road sign. It is fun and a great excuse to be on the bike. Well I plotted a trip for Eastern Idaho to visit about 8 of the 25 needed cities. This involved 2 days, about 970 miles, and lots of fun. I saw parts of Idaho that I’d never seen before (and I’ve lived here for 37 years). Anyway, I wrote an interesting “Road Tales” summary you can read at: http://tinyurl.com/7gnl7 By the way, “Watch for Stock” is not just a sign. Overall it was a great chance to clear my head and plenty of time to think of creative things to do with pottery. As always, I look forward to your feedback, suggestions, questions, and article ideas at:
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~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ "I must thank you for all the great recipes. I was a bit stuck for new recipes. I'll be here for thirty years trying all these out." - Simon D. http://www.rakuglazes.com ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~- * Steven Branfman Interview * I have been a fan of Branfman’s books and pottery for many years. He likes to do a lot with textures such as heavily scoring the piece, which can greatly affect how the glaze appears on the final piece. There was a phone interview conducted a while back and the transcript in provided at the following link. http://www.vasefinder.com/steven.branfman.html In addition to his insight on several areas of pottery and Raku, there are some wonderful pictures of his work. Hope you enjoy the link. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ "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 ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ * Bowl Flashing * I had a question this month from a subscriber in Nebraska that is having trouble with firing bowls. Particularly getting nice flashing on the inside of the bowl. Apparently he is able to achieve nice flashing on the outside, but not on the inside. Not knowing any more of the particulars of what he is doing (or not doing) I can’t provide an exact answer, but I can provide some general thoughts on how to successfully fire Raku bowls. First is the glaze factor. How the piece is glazed can affect the result. If you are brushing or spraying the glaze you are probably getting about the same thickness of glaze on the inside as you do the outside, but if you are dipping and pouring, you are likely applying more glaze on the inside due to the basic process. The inside will easily hold more glaze than the outside. So be careful how you are glazing. Second is the firing factor. The inside of a bowl (assuming it is being fired right-side-up) will heat a little slower than the outside of a bowl, especially in a really fast firing. So you can either fire slower or fire the bowl on its edge like you would a plate to help the inside glaze mature at the same time as the outside glaze. Third is the reduction factor. If you place the bowl in a nest of paper or leaves, the outside will be heavily reduced compared to the inside. To increase the reduction on the in side, make sure you throw a handful of reduction materials inside the bowl or place the bowl in the reductions materials upside down. This should create a heavy reduction and increase the likelihood of flashing. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Raku: A Practical Approach by Steven Branfman The “nuts and bolts” how-to book of Raku Order 30% off at: http://www.garyrferguson.com/branfman ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ * Garbage Can Kiln Done? * Another reader asked how to tell if you need to replace a garbage can kiln. Hers is starting to rust and she is concerned it is time to build a new one. Basically the important part of your Raku kiln is the lining, which in most cases is ceramic fiber. This is what holds the heat in the kiln and protects external stuff from the heat. As long as this is in good shape (no holes, no extreme sagging, doesn’t fall off during firing, etc.) You are probably in good shape. Some Raku kilns are built using just a shell of expanded metal (not solid like a garbage can) because all that is needed is something to hold the ceramic fiber in place. So if your rusted can is holding the ceramic fiber in place and your ceramic fiber is in good shape, I would not worry about a new kiln yet. ~~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~- Books, Music, Videos and that’s just the start. Amazon sells more than books! Help support this newsletter by using this link: http://www.garyrferguson.com/amazon ~~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~- * 100% Raku Glaze * A common question I get all the time is “What units are your glazes in?” This was discussed in a prior issue of Just Raku http://www.garyrferguson.com/justraku22.htm I also cover it extensive in my Raku Glazes eBook http://www.rakuglazes.com But what came up this month was a question in regards to why the total of the glaze ingredients don’t add to 100%? That is a little different. Most glazes are normalized in that the total of the non-colorant ingredients total 100% and then the colorants are added in addition to this. This is done to make x-times batches easier to calculate. But there is no hard and fast rule that says a glaze has to be normalized to 100%. So take them as they come and try what sounds good. ~~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~- Raku 2nd Edition – Tim Andrews This new edition has been completely re-written and updated with over 200 all new, full-color photos of beautiful Raku pottery http://tinyurl.com/bt7fk ~~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~- * More N@ked Raku I had several people respond to the N@ked Raku article in last month’s issue. It appears there is a common problem – getting the correct formula for a slip that will stay on during the firing, yet can still be removed fairly easily after firing. In general the stickiness of the slip will be due to the amount of Alumina (probably in the form of Alumina Hydrate) that is in the slip. The more you have, the better the slip will stay on, but the harder it will be to remove. That makes logic sense. So the challenge is to fine a happy medium, which can be influenced by other things, such as: What clay you are using What temperature you bisque to Are you using burnished pieces? Do you use a glaze over the slip? How thick you apply the slip How fast/hot you fire One technique that was shared was to slip the piece, glaze the piece, then before dries thoroughly, fire to about 600F to set the glaze. This apparently helps keep the slip on. But in contrast, I had another reader state they had problems with pieces cracking if they fired the piece before the slip thoroughly dried. The thought was the bisque piece was absorbing the water from the slip and then cracking during firing. This again would be due to some of the points listed above. There were a couple slip recipe shared: Slip AFire Clay 5 partsEPK 3 partsAlumina Hydrate 1-2 parts Slip B (apply at the consistency of cake mix)Soldate 60 Clay Either can be covered with a layer of clear glaze. So play around with your pieces and how you fire to see what works best for you. You could even consider taking a workshop (there are several listed at the end of the newsletter). ~~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~- Raku: Investigations Into Fire by David Jones Order 30% off at: http://tinyurl.com/8m5x ~~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~- * Mystery Glaze Quest * I have a reader that is desperately trying to recreate a glaze that they have fired several pieces with. It does look somewhat like what I get when using Hawaiian Copper Blue (sometimes), but I invite any readers to take a look at the samples here: http://tinyurl.com/d634g and let me know what you think. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ "It's all your fault! I was up all night reading "Raku Secrets". I have been Rakuing for about ten years, and still so much to learn. Your Raku Secrets gave me a lot of new insight. Thanks so much". - Elaine S.http://www.rakusecrets.com ~~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~- * Click Away * My eBay Listings http://tinyurl.com/tn08 Just Raku Blog http://justraku.blogspot.com Just Raku Logowear http://www.cafepress.com/justraku Got Raku? http://www.cafepress.com/gotraku Just Raku Archive http://www.JustRaku.com Just Raku Article Archive http://www.garyrferguson.com/justrakuarticles ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Here is an easy (and free) way to support this newsletter. Open a new eBay account by clicking on the link below and select “register” at the top of the screen. Then look for a deal and bid. Your support is greatly appreciated! http://www.qksrv.net/click-411938-2202639 ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ * Workshops, Ads, etc. * Bracker's Good Earth Clays, Inc. will be hosting a 2-day workshop with Bob Piepenburg on October 8th & 9th 2005. For more information about the workshop or to sign up, go to
http://www.brackers.com/store/results_detail.cfm?cat=645&prodid=WKPIE for information about lodging for the workshop go to http://www.brackers.com/workshops.cfm Bracker's Good Earth Clays, Inc.
1831 E 1450 Road
Lawrence, KS 66044
TOLL FREE: 1-888-822-1982
FAX: 785-841-8142
http://www.brackers.com -- N@ked Raku Workshop, From Slip to Fire with Anne Carrel in Oracle Arizona
October 22 and 23rd. Two-day workshop costs $85 per person or $75 for registrations before 10/01/05. Limited to 12 people. If you would like to see images of N@ked Raku go to: www.nakedraku.com. For additional information contact:
Anne Carrel
1470 W. American Ave
P.O. Box 823
Oracle , AZ 85623
Studio: (520) 896-9558
cell: (520) 603-8174
Or email :
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-- Raku workshop that covers: Hand building, Raku glazing, Firing and Reducing flashing glazes and the super secret of crackle glazes. You will leave with instructions on how to build you own Raku kiln, glaze recipes and your finished hand-built piece. Notes on proper firing for all 7 glazes we use. Workshops include all your meals and lodging. Cost is $750 for 5 days and $550 for three days. Three day workshops do not include hand building project, just intense glazing and firing. The only dates not available at this time are: Dec 10th. thru Jan. 3rd. Feb. 5th.-10th., March 1st. thru the 10th. and April 10th.- 20th. (we have workshops and a vacation planned on these dates).If you are flying in we are 2 1/2 hour from Las Vegas and will pick you up. We are in southern Utah overlooking Zion National Park. For more info http://www.rakufountains.com/ebayindex.html ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ If you are interested in making a little extra money for taking on-line surveys, click on the link below. Go to http://www.surveysavvy.com/?id=1424287 and click on 'Join'. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ This newsletter is send to opt-in members only. If this issue was forwarded to you and you would like your own copy each month send an email to
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with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. If you wish to no longer receive this newsletter send an email to
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with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line. Disclaimer: Just Raku, the owner(s) and representative(s) of this website and newsletter will not be held liable for any direct or indirect losses or damages originating from the use of any information listed on our website or in our newsletters. By using this site and newsletter you agree to indemnify and hold all owners and representative parties of Just Raku harmless from any claim or demand originating out of your use of the Just Raku website and/or newsletters. Use of our website and newsletters is an indication of your complete understanding and acceptance of these Terms of Service. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ JUST RAKU (C) Copyright 2002-2005 Gary R. Ferguson
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