Yesterday, Colin and I braved the cold to raku fire some Christmas ornaments and beads. It was still fun but by the end our fingers and toes were quite frozen.
I pre-loaded the racks the day before so that they would be ready to go in the kiln right away. I also had a leftover doiley dish so I put it in as well (it cracked but I kind of knew that would happen). Then Colin set the kiln to fire to over 1800 degrees F.
While the kiln started up I filled our reduction chambers (small metal garbage cans) with newspaper and also some cedar chips this time.
Then the raku monster appeared! Ahhhh! Oh wait, that's just me getting prepared as the kiln got closer to our desired temperature.
When it was time and the glaze was nice and molten we pulled them out and put them into the reduction chambers. The newspaper and cedar chips catch fire and then we shut the lids. The fire needs oxygen to keep going and so it begins to pull it directly from the glaze. We leave the racks in the cans for 15+ minutes and then pull them out and pour a bit of water on them to finish the cooling.
Once that is complete I unrack everything and then we engage in our least favorite part...scrubbing the pieces in water.
Here are some of the ornaments I made after they have been washed off.
I haven't photographed any of the beads yet as it was really cold and I was really tired by the end of this. Later this week I will start listing several of the beads in the Etsy bead shop. All the ornaments will be going to family and friends for Christmas.
This might be our last raku firing in our electric kiln as Colin is going to start building a gas kiln here at our house. I can't wait to return to gas firing and I'll be sure to take lots of pictures as the kiln is built!
Oooh, Diana! That is amazing! Thank you so much for sharing your process, so fascinating :) And those ornaments are absolutely gorgeous!
Posted by: Jennifer L Justman | December 18, 2011 at 12:34 PM
Awesome work Diana!
Posted by: Yolanda's Clay Beads | December 18, 2011 at 12:42 PM
Absolutely fantastic ornaments! I would go nuts over some cabs in that style, btw. ;)
Posted by: Carol Dean Sharpe / Sand Fibers | December 18, 2011 at 03:18 PM
Very cool! The ornaments are really nice - I'm sure your family will love them!
Posted by: Susan Kennedy | December 18, 2011 at 03:23 PM
So cool to see your process! Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed reading about it and the pics are great. Love the ornaments. They are gorgeous! Beautiful job on those.
Posted by: Erin Siegel | December 18, 2011 at 03:32 PM
Really beautiful Diana...can't wait to have a play day!!
Posted by: Melinda Orr | December 18, 2011 at 03:58 PM
They look absolutely gorgeous! Want!
Posted by: Malin de Koning | December 18, 2011 at 04:23 PM
LOVE them all!!! Can't wait to get ours you little 'raku monster'!!!
:o)
Love you!!! (Did you get your package?)
Posted by: Terry | December 19, 2011 at 02:24 AM
Awe inspiring!!! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: elaine ray | December 20, 2011 at 12:50 PM
What a great write up on the process. Thanks for sharing with so many clear photos! Very cool!
Posted by: Keri Lee Sereika | February 17, 2012 at 05:42 AM
Awesome!
I bought a small kiln and wanted to try the Raku. I was wondering if it was a jump ring that was embedded into the pendants? or if it is an certain type wire?
Posted by: Cheryl | May 04, 2012 at 11:45 PM