Alternative Firings

Lately I have been doing what is call alternative firings. They are Raku, Saggar, and Horse Hair. These are not fired in my electric kiln with my usual mid-fire glazes. Rather they each have there own unique low-fire technique. Raku is based on an ancient Japanese method that has been adapted by American potters.

The glazed Raku piece is low-fired in a small gas kiln and removed with tongs when it is red hot. It is immediately placed in a metal can filled with combustible materials. Placing the lid on the can smothers the fire and starves the atmosphere of oxygen. This "reduced" atmosphere causes an array of bright, metallic effects on the glaze.

Saggar firing is any firing where the pot is placed in a container filled with combustibles, salts, and various coloring oxides. The container is placed in the gas kiln and fired to 1200 to 1300 degrees causing the materials in the container to fume and impart beautiful colors and patterns on the pot.

The Horse Hair technique was developed by Native Americans. Horse hair is placed on a polished clay pot that has been heated to about 1100 degrees. When the hair touches the hot pot it contracts to a squiggle and leaves beautiful carbon streamers on the white pot.