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JUST RAKU
The Newsletter for Raku Artists and Raku Art Lovers
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July 2005
Issue #33
Published by
Gary R. Ferguson – Raku Artist
http://www.garyrferguson.com
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In This Issue
* While the Smoke Clears - Birthday Gatorade
* Food Safe Raku
* Your Slip is showing
* What is ...
* New Raku Book (no, not mine) by Tim Andrews
* Raku Links
* October Workshops in Kansas, Arizona and Numerous in Utah

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* While the Smoke Clears *

I woke up sick as a dog on my Birthday…

No this was not due to heavy partying the night before but
what I had been doing for the week prior.

I starting building a shed in my back yard, and the weather
has been really hot here lately (100F+). I was being real
careful about drinking water and using sunscreen so I
thought I was ok, but apparently not.

What I got was Heat Exhaustion due to by body sweating out
too many electrolytes that were not replaced with just
water.

Once I figured this out I started pounding Gatorade and
finally started feeling better after about the 3rd day.

So the moral of the story is, if you are out in the heat,
like say standing around an 1800F kiln on a 100F day, you
want to make sure you are drinking enough liquids that also
contain electrolytes.

I don't want any sick Just Raku-ers out there.

As always, I look forward to your feedback, suggestions,
questions, and article ideas at: editor@garyrferguson.com

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Here is an easy (and free) way to support this newsletter.
Open a new eBay account by clicking on the link below and
select "register" at the top of the screen. Then look for a
deal and bid. Your support is greatly appreciated!
http://www.qksrv.net/click-411938-2202639
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* Food Safe Raku *

In your opinion do you think that toothpick holders that
have been Raku-fired would be safe enough? I don't think
the wood would be able to transfer any "bad stuff" but I
wanted your opinion

--

I would think that would be pretty safe. You aren't
cooking in the Raku piece you mentioned, or holding
anything acidic. I'm also assuming you are not using any
lead based glazes.

If you really wanted to be safe you could coat the inside
with any common sealer.

Some other "functional" Raku ideas are napkin rings,
jewelry dishes, and utensil holders.

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If you are interested in making a little extra money for
taking on-line surveys, click on the link below. Go to
http://www.surveysavvy.com/?id=1424287 and click on 'Join'.
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* Your Slip Is Showing *

I would appreciate your help! Do you have any good recipes
for a bisque ware slip used for Naked Raku. All my recipes
crack off and don't don't stay on long enough for naked
effects.

--

This is really dependent upon what clay you are using and
what slip recipe you are using and how "compatible" the two
are together.

If the clay is shrinking a lot more than the slip (or vice
versa) you may experience problems with the slip staying on
the piece.

A couple of things to try:
- Apply the slip thicker
- Replace any clay in the slip with the bisque clay
- Apply a thin layer of clear glaze over the slip

Hope this helps

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Raku: A Practical Approach by Steven Branfman
The "nuts and bolts" how-to book of Raku
Order 30% off at: http://www.garyrferguson.com/branfman~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

* What is ...

I have a question. I am from Spain and I need no know what
is Gerstley Borate in my language?

--

This is a chemical that is very common in Raku glaze that
is quickly becoming unavailable in many areas of the world.
You can read the history of Gerstley Borate and possible
substitutions at http://www.gerstleyborate.com

Hope this helps.

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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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* New Raku Book

Tim Andrews has done it again!

If you remember, a while back I recommended the book "Raku"
by Tim Andrews, but the problem it was out of print and
used copies were very rare.

Raku artists hold on to this book.

Well Tim has solved this dilemma. He has published Raku 2nd
Edition http://tinyurl.com/bt7fk but don't think this is
just a mere cover change. It is almost a completely
different book. So if you bought the first edition, you
will enjoy the 2nd edition even more.

There are more techniques discussed and more artist
profiles and the section I love the best, the gallery
section is loaded with beautiful examples of Raku.

So whether you have the first edition or not, you will
definitely enjoy the second edition of Raku by Tim Andrews.
http://tinyurl.com/bt7fk

This hard cover book can ordered via the link:
http://tinyurl.com/bt7fk for 34% off. Add any other
discounted book to your order and get free shipping.

What a deal!

It is not too early to get yourself a Christmas present! Go
to http://tinyurl.com/bt7fk before they are on back order.

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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 *

My eBay Listings http://tinyurl.com/tn08
Just Raku Blog http://justraku.blogspot.com
Just Raku Logowear http://www.cafepress.com/justraku
Got Raku? http://www.cafepress.com/gotraku
Just Raku Archive http://www.JustRaku.com

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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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* Workshops, Ads, etc. *

Bracker's Good Earth Clays, Inc. will be hosting a 2-day
workshop with Bob Piepenburg on October 8th & 9th 2005. For
more information about the workshop or to sign up, go to
http://www.brackers.com/store/results_detail.cfm?cat=645&pr
odid=WKPIE for information about lodging for the workshop
go to http://www.brackers.com/workshops.cfm
Bracker's Good Earth Clays, Inc.
1831 E 1450 Road
Lawrence, KS 66044
TOLL FREE: 1-888-822-1982
FAX: 785-841-8142
http://www.brackers.com

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Naked Raku Workshop, From Slip to Fire with Anne Carrel in
Oracle Arizona
October 22 and 23rd. Two-day workshop costs $85 per person
or $75 for registrations before 10/01/05. Limited to 12
people. If you would like to see images of Naked Raku go
to: www.nakedraku.com. For additional information contact:
Anne Carrel
1470 W. American Ave
P.O. Box 823
Oracle , AZ 85623
Studio: (520) 896-9558
cell: (520) 603-8174
Or email : anne@nakedraku.com

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Raku workshop that covers: Hand building, Raku glazing,
Firing and Reducing flashing glazes and the super secret of
crackle glazes. You will leave with instructions on how to
build you own Raku kiln, glaze recipes and your finished
hand-built piece. Notes on proper firing for all 7 glazes
we use. Workshops include all your meals and lodging. Cost
is $750 for 5 days and $550 for three days. Three day
workshops do not include hand building project, just
intense glazing and firing. The only dates not available at
this time are: Dec 10th. thru Jan. 3rd. Feb. 5th.-10th.,
March 1st. thru the 10th. and April 10th.- 20th. (we
have workshops and a vacation planned on these dates).
If you are flying in we are 2 1/2 hour from Las Vegas and
will pick you up. We are in southern Utah overlooking Zion
National Park. For more info
http://www.rakufountains.com/ebayindex.html

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Raku: Investigations Into Fire by David Jones
Order 30% off at: http://tinyurl.com/8m5x
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JUST RAKU (C) Copyright 2002-2005 Gary R. Ferguson