Home Grown Pottery: November 2007

Thursday, November 08, 2007

Georgia National Fair Award 2007

Below is a picture of a horsehair vase that I entered into the juried competition of Fine Arts during the Georgia National Fair. I won first place in the Amateur Division for Fine Crafts:Pottery and Glass category. I certainly wasn't expecting this but am glad now that I entered.

About Raku

Raku pottery is created with a specific firing process that uses fire, smoke and special glazes to create unique patterns and designs. After the pottery is made it is dried completely. Then the pots are bisque fired in an electric kiln to cone 04, which is about 1945°F. Then the pots are glazed with special raku glazes or low fire glazes. Then the pots undergo a firing process for approximately 30 to 45 minutes in a kiln that is fueled by propane and reaches temperatures of about 1800°F. In my kiln I can fire up to 4 pots at one time depending on the size of the pots.

After firing each piece is covered with newspaper or other organic matter and allowed to burn and smoke for a minute and then sprayed with water or covered by a container and allowed to smoke for a short time.

Raku pottery is for decorative purposes only and should NOT be used to hold liquids or to serve food.

About Horsehair

Once a pot has been made it is allowed to completely dry. Then terra sigillata, which is made of liquid clay, is applied and the piece is then polished to produce a nice shine on the piece. Then it is bisque fired in an electric kiln no higher than cone 012, which is about 870°F. Each piece is then fired approximately 30 to 45 minutes in a kiln that is fueled by propane and reaches a temperatureof about 1800°F.

The piece is then allowed to cool before the hair is applied. If the piece is too hot the hair will smudge and if it is too cool it won’t burn. On some pieces I spray ferric chloride, which I must do while wearing a respirator, which gives a a honey brown color.

Horsehair pottery is for decorative purposes only and should NOT be used to hold liquids or to serve food.

Home Grown Pottery

Thursday, November 08, 2007

Georgia National Fair Award 2007

About Me

About Raku

About Horsehair

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