It’s so heartwarming to me that my heart warms when I think of the whole process of creating wood-fired pottery. In addition, I’ve tasked myself with doing some RAKU pottery, mainly because of the mystery of the results, experience from a recent alternate-firing class at Clayscapes Pottery, but also because a cool friend gave me some horsehair so I could do some Horsehair pottery!
Horsehair Raku Pottery Inspirations
Right: Windy Mesa Pottery https://simplydivinellc.com/catalog/raku.html
It’s 2020 and life threw me some lemons, so I’ve been making lemonade but my mind daydreams often of making pottery.
Raku Pottery Kiln
The first few months of this year has been focused on PREPARING to do a RAKU session – figuring out how many pieces to make to maximize the my first full raku session (2 kiln firings), then creating, burnishing, bisquing, etc. During this time doing research on the RAKU process and options – what materials to purchase (tongs, gloves, sand, turnstyle, glazes, etc), what glaze options for non-horsehair pieces, getting feathers, etc. During this time also thinking of learning enough to try doing my own RAKU with a DIY kiln or outright purchase of a RAKU kiln. Time will tell.
UPDATE! 07/01/2020
A friend gifted me with an old electric kiln. I plan to convert to a Raku kiln! Grateful and honored be I ❤
Currently I purchased a burner, a pyrometer, ceramic fiber board (to be used with the deteriorating lid, maybe), a drill bit to make a burner hole. Next is to remove the elements, fill in any soft firebrick gaps, make holes (burner, flue) and buy a couple propane tanks and fuel.
Next is to build a small wood ramp to get the kiln outside and then fashion a sandpit area where I will do the reduction using upside down metal cans!
Of course I’ll have the usual trash can with combustible materials on hand to give that a try too!
Wood-fired Pottery Musing
The next phase of my daydreaming is creating pieces for this year’s woodfiring! I love doing mugs and lidded jars for this. 30 pieces is a goal, 40 pieces is a bonus, and 50 pieces would be a hoot!
- Nice web posting regarding the wood-fire process, the basics, the job duties, the spirit of, etc: Monroe Clay Works
Wood Fire Burning 
Delivering O2 
Wadding the bottoms 
Kiln Shelves 
Taking wadding off 
1/2+ a full load 
Lil Woodfired Acorn 
Gently tapping shelfs 
Potter Master Tim S. 
My lot of finished pieces
So while I drink lemonade from life’s lemons I allow myself to giggle inside like a little kid, at the thoughts of doing these 2 kiln firings: RAKU and Woodfire.
Right now I won’t over analyze why I have giggle-ness, I’m just allowing myself to enjoy it.
Horsehair Raku Pottery #Appreciation visit @Oneidasharkpottery
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