The DU Lounge
Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsBackyard pottery pit fire today...
So I made a few pieces which I call 'draped live-edge' bowls which are nothing more than a rolled slab draped over a bowl leaving the cracks and uneven surfaces around the rim to imitate the look of a 'live-edge' piece of lumber.
Started a fire this morning in a newly-fashioned 'pit' this morning and threw the pieces in with a mixture of steel wool strands, rock salt and wrapped in newspaper with salt soaked jute twine.
This is the first time I've attempted this, so I'm looking forward to the results...
They've been in for a few hours now, I just checked on them; nothing broken (yet). I was wary as I did not bisque-fire the pieces, just threw them in in a greenware state. :fingers crossed:
I'll post my results later this evening.
Anyone else experimenting today...?
Arkansas Granny
(31,518 posts)albino65
(484 posts)Is this called Roku style?
Earth_First
(14,910 posts)The 'raku' look is mostly accomplished from the reduction phase (I believe), where kiln hot pieces are placed into vessels containing straw, grass, sawdust, etc.
The process I am using is a 'pit fire' where a wood-fired 'kiln' is created surrounding the pieces.
I'm not going to pretend to be a potter, nor an expert on this; so if someone with more experience wants to chime in, please do.
The OP was just something I was reading about online and interested me enough to give it a shot...
albino65
(484 posts)I collect American art pottery and have a couple of raku pieces that I found interesting.
Earth_First
(14,910 posts)Your home must be wonderfully adorned.
Pottery is such an organic form. Especially the raku-style pieces. I love the colors that are the result of the process.
Be well!
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)A friend is a potter, and her husband finally closed in their patio with a space dedicated to her wheel and kiln. I treasure the gifts she's made for me.
Tuesday Afternoon
(56,912 posts)would love to see pictures of the results
Earth_First
(14,910 posts)They are so whimsical and fun...
Tuesday Afternoon
(56,912 posts)The Female Potters, not so much. Electric kilns are where its at for them
Glazes and Clays and Technique discussions are Topics of Dinner Conversations.
Kiln openings can be a Big Deal.
Earth_First
(14,910 posts)Tennessee/Carolinas?
A good friend of mine studied hot glass in Penland, NC at the School of Crafts years ago. There were several renowned potters teaching in residency at Penland when he was there...
Tuesday Afternoon
(56,912 posts)Sorry, I do not publicly reveal my location on DU3. Hope you understand. PM me if you are interested in knowing more about the local Potters. I can hook you up.
Earth_First
(14,910 posts)A few things:
-I would have preferred to allow these to come down to temperature in the pit, however a snow squall line is moving in and I wanted to get these into the house prior.
-I should have used a different clay body, something with more thermal shock value to it; however this is what I had on hand.
-Next time, I will make the pieces slightly thicker.
-I should have covered the pit sooner.
HOWEVER, I am pleased with the results; I enjoyed it, therefore I'm not willing to give up on this just yet...
At any rate; here they are:
Kali
(55,014 posts)those came out really cool - so you fired them up with the stuff inside of them? Have you tried horse hair?
Response to Earth_First (Original post)
sendero This message was self-deleted by its author.
Kali
(55,014 posts)I have a tangential interest in pottery through my German travel friend. the strongest affiliation/experiences for me have been in the Mata Ortiz/Casas Grandes "revival" from Chihuahua. We have even played around with gathering local clay here on the ranch and doing a couple of dung firings.
She teaches and does hand built animal sculptures at home but has traveled and explored lots of other techniques. She recently built a mud kiln in her yard.
Today would be such a shitty day for outdoor firing, ugh the wind is awful - so bad I am considering going grocery shopping on a Friday just to escape it for a while (this house is a sieve on windy days and bad enough when not windy but cold)
one of our friends from Mata Ortiz, Julio Mora - painting