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The Newsletter for Raku Artists and Raku Art Lovers In This Issue ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ Welcome to another issue of Just Raku. It is not as early as some, but not as late (or missing) as other issues, so I guess it's just right. It has been hot for the last several weeks in my neck of the woods - somewhere around 95F to 100F+ degrees. That's a little warm to be standing over a hot kiln firing Raku so I've been hiding in front of the air conditioner. Well at least when it working. On one really hot day, we found the air conditioner was blowing hot air - so after a call to the repairperson - and two days of sweating we had cool air again. Then one week later, my parent's air conditioner went out and I spend an afternoon helping them get theirs fixed. So this has been a fun summer so far! If it hot where you live, and there is a Crispy Crème close, click on
the following link for a free Frozen Blend: Remember I always look forward to your feedback, suggestions, questions, and article ideas at: mailto:editor@garyrferguson.com. Gary R. Ferguson ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ * From the Studio * I've been working on getting samples done to apply for the annual Beaux Arts Holiday sale I've done the last couple of years. I'll try not to miss this deadline, like I did for an Art Show earlier this year. I've added more items to the Got Raku and Just Raku wearables sites.
There are even sale prices for a few items available until July 19, 2004.
You can see the new selections at: http://www.cafeshops.com/gotraku
or http://www.cafeshops.com/justraku ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ * Article * Firing Safety I'm sure safety is everyone's favorite topic, but it is important never the less - especially with Raku firings. Firing a Raku kiln involves an open flame and very high temperatures. The open flame is not some wimpy candle flame; it is more along the lines of a blowtorch. Ok, a blowtorch overdosed on steroids. Both the flame and heat are very unforgiving. Even a split second exposure can cause severe, even life threatening, burns. So this is nothing to mess around with and the proper precautions should be taken to ensure the safety of all involved. To protect yourself from the flame and heat dangers you first need to consider your clothing. Don't wear any real loose fitting clothing - shirts should be tucked in, no dresses (especially if you are a guy), and sleeves should be elastic or buttoned. At a minimum long pants and long sleeve shirts should be worn (which is again fun in 100F degree heat). Make sure your shoes cover you toes, you don't want to drop molten glaze on your bare toes in sandals. Next, if you have long hair, get it put up, either under a hat, using pins, braids, etc. Hair burns REAL quick! Next you need to have a fire extinguisher and a readily available water source available. You never know when an accident will happen or something unexpected will get too hot and needs to be put out in a hurry. Always remove pieces using heavy tongs. Don't try and use cheap fireplace tongs or directly grab the piece - no matter what kind of gloves you have. To protect your hands and lower arms use long heavy leather welding gloves. To protect your eyes and face from the heat, flame, and smoke a face shield is a good idea. There are also some studies that show looking into a hot kiln can damage the eyes over a long period of time so you may want to consider using welder's glasses when looking into the kiln to determine glaze maturity. Remember - you only have one body so take care of it! Now that I have probably scared you to death, go out and have some fun Rakuing! ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ * Tips and Techniques * When firing glossy glazes, it is sometimes difficult to tell if a glaze has matured by just looking in the glaze. A glaze is usually mature when it appears glossy or "water-like" on the surface, but this is not always easy to tell when looking in the kiln. One way to improve your inspection is to shine a flashlight in the kiln. If the glaze is mature, you should see a shiny reflection. If not, fire a little longer. ~~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~- * Q & A * Is Raku Smoke Dangerous? There have been questions as to the safety of the smoke that is produced during the Raku reduction process. One analysis I read determined that Raku smoke is no more harmful that BBQ smoke from a grill. Now I guess the real question is how dangerous is BBQ smoke? In general any smoke that enters your lungs is potentially harmful so anything you can do to reduce the ingestion of the smoke the better. Stand upwind or wear a mask. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ * Glazing * Purple Crackle This is a new glaze I tested with interesting results. I applied 2 thin coats of the glaze using a brush and fired to approximate 1900F in a basic oxidation kiln. At temperature I pulled the piece for 3-5 seconds before placing it in a can with sheets of newspaper. I got a dark purple on one side and a dark blue on the other. I'm not sure what caused the distinction, but it was definitely half and half. I'll be playing with this glaze more. This glaze and 300+ more can be found at: http://www.rakuglazes.com/ ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ * Reader Feedback * Wally: I am new at "Raku". When I watch my friend fire his pots he
takes them out of the kiln, puts them in the reduction can and the flames
start right away. He holds the pot in the flames for a while before he
puts on the lid. I would like to know what it is he is waiting to see
while he holds the pot in the flames. I read about some potters that put
the pot in the can and then put the lid on without holding the pot in the
flames at all. I have no problems with your "Crackle Glaze",
even with oxides added for color. The glazes I have problems with are
"Hawaiian Blue" and the "Copper Patina" types. I am
not getting those amazing colors possible with these glazes. I fire my
pots just like my friend fires his, at least I think I do, but I don't get
the same great results. I use a small metal trashcan lined with newspaper.
I have some paper on the bottom and I line the sides with paper. The
flames start right away. Jerry: * * * David: ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ * Calendar * My show calendar for 2004 will probably be smaller than in the past. I only plan on doing two or three shows, but spending more time focusing on eBay sales. This way I can spend more time with the family and less time sitting in a booth. Nov - Beaux Arts Holiday Show (Tentative) On going eBay Listings http://tinyurl.com/tn08 ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ * Click Away * Just Raku Logowear Got Raku? It does a Clay Body Good! Just Raku Newsletter Archive ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ 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 subscribe@garyrferguson.com with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. If you wish to no longer receive this newsletter send an email to unsubscribe@garyrferguson.com with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line. Disclaimer: Just Raku, the owner(s) and representative(s) of this
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