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JUST RAKU
The Newsletter for Raku Artists and Raku Art Lovers
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January 2006
Issue #37
Published by
Gary R. Ferguson – Raku Artist
http://www.garyrferguson.com
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In This Issue
* While the Smoke Clears
* Green not Red
* Refiring N@ked Raku
* Ultimate Collection Updated
* Kiln Building Fiber Fastening
* No Freeze Tank Valve
* Raku Links (Short Raku Video)
* Workshops

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* While the Smoke Clears *

Welcome to 2006!

I hope you survived the holiday season. I know I enjoyed
them but I'm glad they are over for another year.

I don't have a lot going on right now, so I will just dive
into this month's topics.

As always, I look forward to your feedback, suggestions,
questions, and article ideas at: editor@garyrferguson.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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* Green Not Red

A reader asked why her red crackle was turning out green?

Red is one of those very illusive colors to get in a
pottery glaze, but I do have some thoughts.

Generally a red Raku glaze uses copper carbonate as the
colorant. When this glaze is fired in oxidation and not
reduced you should get green or turquoise (depending on
other chemicals in the glaze).

When a copper rich glaze is heavily reduced you can
achiever copper and/or sometimes red colors.

Generally if a glaze is fired in oxidation and then heavily
reduced you will likely get copper colors. But if the
glaze is fired in reduction and then heavily reduced you
will more likely get red colors.

This is definitely not an exact science, but that's Raku.

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"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
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* Refiring N@ked Raku

Jonathan writes, "I have had success using Raku clay
bisqued to cone 010 and then a cone 014 N@ked Raku firing.
I thought It would be nice if I could fire my Raku clay to
full maturity (cone 06). So I was wondering, after I get
my naked Raku finish, could I apply a clear coat (06 cone)
on my piece and then fire it again?"

I'm not sure I would recommend this as I have a couple of
warnings. First if you fire a clay to maturity it will be
much more difficult for the glaze to be applied for the
refiring. So you will likely have some kind of glaze
failure in this situation.

Second, the "coloring" of a N@ked Raku piece is due to
carbon staining of the clay during the smoking/reduction
process. If the piece is refired, the carbon will likely
burn off (even if covered with a clear glaze) and you would
lose all the wonderful patterns.

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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
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* Ultimate Collection Updated

Raku Glazes: The Ultimate Collection (2nd Edition) has
finally been released. There are over 360 glazes now,
including N@ked Raku slips. I've been very pleased with the
feedback on the new edition:

"This is a great 2nd edition lots of good additions and the
Naked Raku section was just what I wanted to see."–JR P.

"Thank you so much for the 2nd edition. I can't wait to try
some out!"–Joyce M.

"So many more recipes to go through and try out. I'm so
happy"-Deborah B.

"Thank-you. Already printed and added to my files"-Carol R.

"Thanks for the update! I love this book!" – Lori L.

If you would like to order a copy of Raku Glazes: The
Ultimate Collection, please visit http://www.rakuglazes.com
You won't be disappointed.

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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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* Kiln Building Fiber Fastening

I'm building a garbage can fiber kiln with 1-inch fiber. I
have some fiber buttons but should I use an adhesive, and
if so what would you recommend? And finally, what is your
thought on ITC 100 sprayed on to make the fiber more rigid?
Jeff G.

I have never used a fiber adhesive when building a fiber
kiln. I've used "buttons" or small kiln stilts. When
building a garbage can kiln, drill two small holes in the
sides at every location you want to place a button or
stilt. Then attach the button with a small piece of high-
fire wire. I've never had a problem with the fiber not
staying in place using this method.

As far as ITC, I've never used it, but I understand it
provides to basic benefits. It provided more insulation so
therefore it should take less fuel to fire the kiln and it
provides a protectant, which can prolong the life of the
fiber walls. So it can't hurt but it is definitely not
required.

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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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* No Freeze Tank Valve

Have you or any of your readers had any experience with
the no freeze burner that is out? The valve is replaced
with one that has a rod that goes into the propane tank to
take the propane off the bottom instead of the top. Living
in Michigan, I have a hard time firing in the winter with
tanks freezing up so quickly. I wondered if the investment
in this burner would be worth it. Thanks for any input.

To be honest this was the first time I had heard of this
option, so I did a quick search on the Internet and found
the following site:
http://www.pottery-books.com/axner/equipment/kilnraku.php
It looks like an interesting option, but I probably
wouldn't do it (at least in my situation). I rotate
between 3 different 5-gallon tanks (which I also use on my
barbeque) and I would no longer be able to do this with the
special valve insert. The burner itself seems a little
expensive (I could buy 6 or 7 more 5 gallon tanks for this
price). Finally the special valve has to be added to each
tank by an authorized gas dealer (again more cost).

But it may be a good option if you have only one tank that
is dedicated to your Raku firings. It sounds like the tank
will not freeze regardless of the speed of firing or how
little is left in the tank which some people may be willing
to pay almost any amount to solve this problem.

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Raku 2nd Edition – Tim Andrews
This new edition has been completely re-written and updated
with over 200 all new, full-color photos of beautiful Raku
pottery http://tinyurl.com/bt7fk
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* Click Away *

A short little video showing a Raku firing
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1940701605940978980
&q=raku
The reduction is done in a sawdust-filled trashcan. I
believe I actually road by this pottery on my motorcycle
trip last summer.

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
Just Raku Article Archive
http://www.garyrferguson.com/justrakuarticles

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Raku: Investigations Into Fire by David Jones
Order 30% off at: http://tinyurl.com/8m5x
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* Workshops, Ads, etc. *

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: 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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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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JUST RAKU (C) Copyright 2002-2005 Gary R. Ferguson