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JUST RAKU
The Newsletter for Raku Artists and Raku Art Lovers
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December 2006
Issue #45
Published by
Gary R. Ferguson � Raku Artist
http://www.garyrferguson.com
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In This Issue
* While the Smoke Clears � Holiday Wishes.
* Electric Raku
* A Chemical by Any Other Name is still a ...
* 3 Ways to Check Your Maturity
* More on Two Halves of the Same Pot
* Matte meet Glossy
* Raku Links
* Workshops
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* While the Smoke Clears *

First of all, I want to wish you a Merry Christmas. Yes,
you read that correctly. I said Merry Christmas. I know, I
know, this is not politically correct these days. I should
say Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings, or some other highly
generic term but as far as I�m concerned politically
correctness has ruined many concepts by driving everything
to the lowest common denominator. By saying Merry
Christmas to you I�m not trying to challenge your religion,
question your beliefs, or force you to my way of thinking.
I�m merely wishing you good tidings. You should take no
offense as I have no ulterior motives, just as I would not
if you wanted to wish me Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa,
Merry December 25th, or whatever you choose to celebrate (or
not). So as this may be the only Merry Christmas wish you
receive this year, I�ll say it again.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
:)

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~-~-~

* Electric Raku

Janet asks, �Do you have any information to share re: using
an electric Raku kiln? I just purchased one (because we
live in the country and don't have gas and didn't want to
deal with propane since I am far away from somewhere to go
get it)�

You may have heard potters say �You can�t Raku in a
electric kiln� or �You�ll ruin your kiln�s coils� or some
other �You can�t� statement in regards to using an electric
kiln for Raku. But I don�t agree.

I know several people (some production potters) that
exclusively use electric kilns for Raku, so it definitely
can be done. There are just a few things to keep in mind.

It will take longer to get to temperature. With a gas kiln
you can probably get to temperature in 30 minutes, but an
electric kiln may take several hours.

It is very difficult to conduct a reduction firing in a
electric kiln so this could affect the glaze result
somewhat. I find most of my reduction influence is due to
post-firing reduction anyway, so I wouldn�t worry about
this too much.

There are two safety things you need to concern yourself
with though. First make sure you turn off the power to
your kiln before you reach inside with metal tongs. You
should be wearing thick leather gloves to protect you from
heat (and any electric shock) but you don�t need to take
the chance.

Second, most electric kilns are top loading. This means
when you open the lid you are exposing yourself to extreme
heat. It would be a good idea to set up a pulley or lever
system to open the lid so you do not need to get direcly in
the �line of heat�

Other than these few things to consider, you should be able
to Raku in a electric kiln with no worries.

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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~-~-~

* A Chemical by any other name is still a ...

I had a reader ask me recently if my eBooks
(www.rakuglazes.com and www.rakusecrets.com) contain
conversions from US chemicals to European chemicals. I was
not aware there was any difference (at least for most
chemicals). For example: is Iron Oxide in the US
chemically different from Iron Oxide in Europe? I wouldn�t
think so, but if you happen to know let me know?

I understand some chemicals may be different due to
regional mining conditions. In other words Ball Clay mined
in a certain region of the US may have a slightly different
chemical make up than a Ball Clay mined in another region
in the US or even in Europe (if it is even available in
Europe).

If you are a European potter (or even a US potter) and know
certain differences in chemicals between the two regions, I
would love to hear from you.

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Fired Up with Raku is the recently released book by Irene
Poulton is now available. Check out the details at:
http://www.garyrferguson.com/firedupwithraku.htm
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* 3 Ways to Check Your Maturity

No, this is not a test to determine if you are an adult.

Roger asks, �How do I know when a matte glaze has matured
in a Raku firing?�

This can be a little challenging compared to determining if
a glossy glaze is mature. A glossy glaze will reflect
light (like water) when you look at it in the kiln. This is
not the case for a matte glaze.

I know of three ways to determine if a matte glaze is
mature:

1) Use a standing pyrometric cone that matches the glaze
maturity temperature. This is probably the best method as
the cone will bend when the proper amount of temperature
and time has been applied.

2) Use a pyrometer and measure the temperature. This is a
little less accurate than a cone, but if you fire to a
certain temperature and then soak the kiln for a few
minutes you should come out alright.

3) Use a glossy �witness� piece. You can fire a small
piece with a glossy glaze that matures at the same
temperature as your matte pieces. Then you can watch for
the glossy piece to mature so you know when the matte
pieces should be mature as well.

~-~-~
After reading Sue�s book I discovered dozens of tips,
techniques, and methods of creating Raku beads and jewelry
that I never would have thought of. The hundreds of color
photos are not only instructional but inspiring as well.
There is a new idea to try on almost every page. This book
is a gold mine!� http://www.rakubeadjewelry.com
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* More on Two Halves of the Same Pot

Red had the following comments on firing pieces with both
crackle and matte glazes:
-
Just ideas from my own experiences that might assist Doug,
the artist who mentioned getting two finishes on the same
pot after reduction:

Contact with the combustibles in the reduction chamber can
often produce different results on parts of my pots than
other parts. Some artists seem to enjoy the visual
aftermath of contact with combustibles; I usually do not.
So, there are 2 things I sometimes use, that limit the
contact of the newspaper or combustible with the hot pot.

I have lined the inside of my trashcans with chicken wire
bought at the local hardware store. I then put newspaper
shreds between the chicken wire and the trash can, thus
giving more room for the hot pot and reducing the incidence
of touch between the pot and the combustible. I leave a few
strands of newspaper in the very bottom, which ignites and
catches the newspaper shreds within the chicken
wire on fire.

Also, I often put a hard brick in the bottom of the trash
can to sit the hot pot on. Again, this limits the area of
the pot that comes into contact with anything but the magic
going on in the atmosphere within the trashcan.

Regarding the bubbling effects on half of Doug's pots, is
it possible that the pot is getting too much or too little
contact with the flame within the Raku kiln? I've had
bubbling problems in the Raku kiln due to heat distribution
problems, but not usually on entire halves of pots. I've
also had trouble with glazes bubbling due to mixing and
application, but that doesn't sound like what's happening,
as Doug mentioned half the pot might bubble. So, again, is
the kiln getting the same amount of direct heat from the
Raku fire on both sides of the pot during firing? Is it
the same side of the pots that is always bubbling, i.e. the
side of the pot away from the Raku flame? Maybe a more
experienced reader might know if that is a possibility. I'm
still in the wondrous guessing stage of learning and
greatly appreciate the comments and ideas in your
newsletter.

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Discover the secrets to creating multiple streams of income
using the power of eBay. A Powerseller shows you how at:
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* Matte meet Glossy

Sue says, �I enjoy your newsletters, very informative!
Tried some matt glazes, but came out glossy?! Alligator and
Post Pac Man. Fired to 1850F and reduced in newspaper.
Any suggestions?�

Actually this is a pretty easy one. If you fire a matte
glaze too hot it will become semi-glossy or glossy
(depending on how much you overfire).

I would recommend in the case you mention that you try
firing to only 1650F and see if you get a matte glaze
result. If not, fire to a little lower temperature.

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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 Raku books are now available via more suppliers, please
visit:

Seattle Pottery Supply www.seattlepotterysupply.com
Axner Pottery www.axner.com
The Potters Shop http://thepottersshop.blogspot.comAnd Amazon http://www.garyrferguson.com/amazon

If you can�t find them in your local pottery supply tell
them to check out at http://www.cherrycreekpublishing.com

Raku Glazes http://www.rakuglazes.com
Raku Secrets http://www.rakusecrets.comRaku Beads http://www.rakubeadjewelry.com
Got Raku? http://www.cafepress.com/gotraku
Just Raku Archive http://www.JustRaku.com
Just Raku Blog http://justraku.blogspot.com
Hypnotic Auctions http://www.hypnoticauctions.com

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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~-~-~

* Workshops and Seminars

None Currently

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Learn the secrets to creating eBay auctions that get more
bids and higher final prices. Don�t list artwork, or
anything else without this book by your side.
http://www.hypnoticauctions.com~-~-~

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JUST RAKU (C) Copyright 2002-2006 Gary R. Ferguson