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In This Issue
* While the Smoke Clears – Record Heat + Special Event
* I want Candy!
* Food Safe Back Splash
* Raku Metal?
* Fading Away
* High Bisque Raku
* Raku Links
* Workshops
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* While the Smoke Clears * Hottest July since the late 1800's That's what the weather has been like here lately. Hot,
Hot, Hot. But as they say – "At least it is a dry heat"
Which means the wetness on my body is purely due to my
sweat and not humidity. Is that a Bonus? In case you didn't know, heat apparently affects the
hotness of Jalapeno peppers as well. I always grow
tomatoes, peppers, and Jalapeno peppers to can salsa each
year. We like hot salsa (not the Ketchupy stuff in the
store), but the first batch we made was EXTRA hot, so we'll
be cutting back just a bit on the hot peppers for the next
batch. A huge event is taking place this month. No, it's not Raku
related. My oldest boy, Connor, starts Kindergarten this
month. He is WAY excited and looking forward to starting
school. His mom and I, of course, are nervous, but try not
to let it show. There are lots of questions answered in this issue of Just
Raku so lets get to it. As always, if you received this newsletter from a friend
consider subscribing at www.justraku.com I'm always trying
to expand this Raku "community." If you have any questions, comments, or article ideas send
them to me at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
~-~-~
"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
~-~-~ * I want Candy! Karen S. writes:
Gary, I just heard about "candy" Raku at a workshop at
Haven Art this past Friday/Saturday. Can you direct me to
a website that has information on this candy Raku? I
Googled "candy Raku" and nothing came up about the process
or even with a definition of what candy Raku is. Thank you
for your help. To quote Homer Simpson "Mmmmmmm Candy" There was a Just Raku article about Sugar/Candy Raku
published a while back at:
http://www.garyrferguson.com/justraku14.htm and also found a photo reference to an example piece at:
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~acurriva/201%20Webpage/Ceramics/Can
dyRakuWV.html Basically from what I have found Candy Raku or Sugar Raku
is a "spin" or variation on Nakëd Raku and can affect how
the crackle/smoking pattern is produced on a piece. I've never tried it myself yet, but I might give it a whirl
one of these days. ~-~-~
"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
~-~-~ * Food Safe Back Splash Nicole R. writes:
Gary – I am so impressed with your website and your work in
Raku! I want to make a tile backsplash in my kitchen with
Raku tile – I am interested in mostly the copper tones for
the colors – but I didn't know if this would be food safe?
Any information you can provide about how safe it is to use
Raku in the kitchen – I would appreciate. Well my first comment is Raku is generally not food safe BUT I don't think this fact would prevent me from creating
tiles for a backsplash in a kitchen. I'm assuming the
tiles would be on the wall, and food would not actually
touch the tiles, or at least not sit on them for any length
of time. Given those assumptions, I would think Raku tiles
for a backsplash would be fine BUT
For cleaning purposes you will want to use either a glossy
glaze or a "coated" matte glaze. A matte glaze would be
too rough to clean easily, so you would want to apply a
clear coat of some sort (like varnish) to give the tiles a
smooth finish. Let me know how it goes and send a picture of the completed
piece when you are done.
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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
~-~-~ * Raku Metal? Julie L. writes:
I have recently seen copper that has been 'Raku'. Have you
worked with copper or do you only work w/ clay? Do you know
how this is done? How might I go about trying it? Any help
would be appreciated. I'm not sure I've seen copper Raku-ed, but I have seen
metal silhouette forms (fish, horses, etc) that appear to
be Raku-ed because they have the wonderful rainbow coloring
of copper, blue, silver, etc. My understanding these are
created by blasting the surface with a blow-torch until the
default metal color changes, much like the peacock effect I
mentioned in an earlier newsletter:
http://www.garyrferguson.com/justraku25.htm
Now I sometimes use metal with Raku pieces, but that would
be the subject for another article. ~-~-~
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
~-~-~ * Fading Away Karen B. asks:
We just received a beautiful Raku quail piece as a gift.
It is blue and copper. Does this piece have to be kept out
of the sun to maintain the colors of the glaze? Most of our
display areas receive strong sunlight due to many windows. In general it is a good idea to keep any art (drawings,
paintings, wood crafts, pottery, etc.) out of direct
sunlight to prevent fading, cracking, warping, etc.
Certain Raku glazes and glazes effect are more easily
influenced by sunlight than others. Generally the copper,
"oil slick" rainbow, and red colors will be more affected
(dulled) by sunlight than white, black, green, and blue
colors. I've covered this is a few prior newsletters:
http://www.garyrferguson.com/justraku31.htm
http://www.garyrferguson.com/justraku20.htm
http://www.garyrferguson.com/justraku19.htm ~-~-~
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
~-~-~ * High Bisque Raku Randy H. writes:
I am just getting started in pottery and where I take my
class they bisque all pots at cone 7.(brown and white
stoneware or porcelain). Some of the sites I have visited
on the Internet recommend using Raku clay and only bisque
firing at 06 or 05. So my question to you is "Is there a
problem using the high-fire stoneware for Raku like we are
doing in class or should I purchase the low-fire Raku
clay?" Thank you in advance for any info you could give me
on the correct procedures for making Raku pots.
There are many different answers to your questions. Cone 7 Bisque?
First off, bisque firing to cone 7 is really high. You
generally want to bisque fire just hot enough to make the
piece strong enough to handle for glazing etc. and at a
temperature much lower than the clay maturity. In the case
you mention I would assume you are glaze firing to cone 10
so the clay is almost mature bisque firing to cone 7 and
will absorb less glaze. Cone 10 Raku Clay?
Now as far as using your stoneware clay for Raku, that
should be fine. A cone 5 or cone 10 clay can easily be
used for a cone 05 Raku firing. In fact you generally want
to use a clay that will NOT mature at cone 05 because you
will likely have more cracking and breaking during the
quick reduction process. My Advice
I would use your Cone 5 or Cone 10 stoneware clay,
especially if it contains a bit of grog (feels gritty),
which helps survive the rapid firing and cooling process.
I would only bisque to somewhere around cone 06. This will
keep the clay "open" and again help survive the firing and
reduction processes. Then glaze (with a Raku glaze) and
fire to glaze maturity.
~-~-~
"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 * 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 ~-~-~
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
~-~-~ * Workshops and Seminars
If you have a workshop coming up, let me know.
~-~-~
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
~-~-~ 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
~-~-~ This newsletter is send to opt-in members only. If this
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JUST RAKU (C) Copyright 2002-2007 Gary R. Ferguson
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