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In This Issue
* While the Smoke Clears
* Electric Raku
* A Chemical by Any Other Name is still a ...
* 3 Ways to Maturity
* More on Two Halves of the Same Pot
* Matte meet Glossy
* Raku Links
* Workshops
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* While the Smoke Clears *

-Happy Holidays

-Delays on shipping of Fired Up with Raku.

As always, I 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  

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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
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* Electric Raku
 
Do you have any information to share re: using an electric
raku kiln??? I just purchased one (because we live in the
country and don't have gas and didn't want to deal with
propane since I am far away from somewhere to go get
it)...thankyou for any tips or advice....Janet
Smith/Axcents Pottery

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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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* A Chemical by any other name is still a ...

I had a reader ask recently if my ebooks contain
conversions from US chemicals to European chemicals.  I was
not aware there was any different (at least for most
chemicals).  For example: is Iron Oxide in the US
chemically different from Iron Oxide in Europe?  I wouldn't
think so, but do you happen to know?

I understand some chemicals may be different due to
regional mining conditions.  In other words Ball Clay mined
in a regions of the US may have a slightly different
chemical make up than a Ball Clay mined in Europe (if it is
even available in Europe).

If you are a European potter (or even a US potter) and know
certain differences in chemicals between the two areas, I
would love to hear from you.
 
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Fired Up with Raku is the recently released book by Irene
Poulton is now available. Check out the details at:
http://www.garyrferguson.com/firedupwithraku.htm
I will only be making this available for a few more days.
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* 3 Ways to Maturity

Rogers asks, "How do I know when a matte glaze has matured
in a Raku firing?"

This can be a little challenging compared to determining if
a glossy glaze is mature.  A glossy glaze will reflect
light (like water) when you look at it in the kiln. This is
not the case for a matte glaze.

I know of three ways to determine if a matte glaze is
mature:

1) Use a standing pyrometric cone that matches the glaze
maturity temperature.  This is probably the best method as
the cone will bend when the proper amount of temperature
and time has been applied.

2) Use a pyrometer and measure the temperature.  This is a
little less accurate than a cone, but if you fire to a
certain temperature and then soak the kiln for a few
minutes you should come out alright.

3) Use a glossy witness piece.  You can fire a small piece
with a glossy glaze that matures at the same temperature as
your matte pieces.  Then you can watch for the glossy piece
to mature so you know when the matte pieces should be
mature as well.

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After reading Sue's book I discovered dozens of tips,
techniques, and methods of creating Raku beads and jewelry
that I never would have thought of.  The hundreds of color
photos are not only instructional but inspiring as well. 
There is a new idea to try on almost every page. This book
is a gold mine!" http://www.rakubeadjewelry.com
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* More on Two Halves of the Same Pot

Red had the following comments on firing pieces with both
crackle and matte glazes:
-
Just ideas from my own experiences that might assist Doug,
the artist who mentioned getting two finishes on the same
pot after reduction:
 
Contact with the combustibles in the reduction chamber can
often produce different results on parts of my pots than
other parts. Some artists seem to enjoy the visual
aftermath of contact with combustibles; I usually do not. 
So, there are 2 things I sometimes use, that limit the
contact of the newspaper or combustible with the hot pot.

I have lined the inside of my trashcans with chicken wire
bought at the local hardware store.  I then put newspaper
shreds between the chicken wire and the trash can, thus
giving more room for the hot pot and reducing the incidence
of touch between the pot and the combustible. I leave a few
strands of newspaper in the very bottom, which ignites and
catches the newspaper shreds within the chicken 
wire on fire. 

Also, I often put a hard brick in the bottom of the trash
can to sit the hot pot on.  Again, this limits the area of
the pot that comes into contact with anything but the magic
going on in the atmosphere within the trashcan.
 
Regarding the bubbling effects on half of Doug's pots, is
it possible that the pot is getting too much or too little
contact with the flame within the Raku kiln?  I've had
bubbling problems in the Raku kiln due to heat distribution
problems, but not usually on entire halves of pots. I've
also had trouble with glazes bubbling due to mixing and
application, but that doesn't sound like what's happening,
as Doug mentioned half the pot might bubble.  So, again, is
the kiln getting the same amount of direct heat from the
Raku fire on both sides of the pot during firing?  Is it
the same side of the pots that is always bubbling, i.e. the
side of the pot away from the Raku flame?  Maybe a more
experienced reader might know if that is a possibility. I'm
still in the wondrous guessing stage of learning and
greatly appreciate the comments and ideas in your
newsletter.

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Discover the secrets to creating multiple streams of income
using the power of eBay. A Powerseller shows you how at:
http://www.planetsms.co.uk/partners/?a=9OpcT9Pu&p=1
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* Matte meet Glossy

Hi
I enjoy your newsletters, very informative!
Tried some matt glazes, but came out glossy?! Alligator and
Post Pac Man.
Fired to 1850F and reduced in newspaper.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Sue T.
F

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"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
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* Click Away *

Mary Diddle http://www.marydiddle.com/open.htm
Jan Lee http://www.mudfire.com/jan-lee.htm

Raku Glazes http://www.rakuglazes.com
Raku Secrets http://www.rakusecrets.com
Raku Beads http://www.rakubeadjewelry.com
Got Raku? http://www.cafepress.com/gotraku
Just Raku Archive http://www.JustRaku.com
Just Raku Blog http://justraku.blogspot.com
Hypnotic Auctions http://www.hypnoticauctions.com

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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
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* Workshops and Seminars

None Currently
 
~-~-~
Learn the secrets to creating eBay auctions that get more
bids and higher final prices. Don't list artwork, or
anything else without this book by your side.
http://www.hypnoticauctions.com
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JUST RAKU (C) Copyright 2002-2006 Gary R. Ferguson