Zoo Ceramics Animal Sculpture and Giftware
Pottery Class Raku
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The raku firing process was developed in Japan in the sixteen century.  Unlike other firing methods the raku process is rapid.  After the ceramic work has undergone the usual bisque firing of up to 1000 degrees, a glaze firing would normally take between 12 - 24 hours to effectively seal and decorate the work.  With a raku firing the work can be completed in under three hours; which allows plenty of time for a summer end of term barbeque.
Zoo Ceramics Pottery Class Raku  Workshop
Zoo Ceramics Pottery Class Raku  Workshop
Eric and Maggie have placed all the work in the kiln.
Everyone gets ready with the sawdust to throw on to the fired work.
All the equipment is set out in advance and the work is placed in the drum kiln to rapid fire until the glaze is white molten in appearance.
Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop Kiln
Maggie get ready to remove the lid, whilst Sue holds the tongs and Lisa is armed with a lid.
Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop Opening Kiln
On opening the kiln, metal tongs are used to remove the glowing work from the kiln, which is placed carefully in the nearby bin.
Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop Flame
Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop Sawdust
Maggie uses the tongs to grip a vase, whilst Emma stands near by with the lid if the flames get too high.
Helen and Ian are busy throwing the sawdust on to the work that Kenny has got out of the kiln.
Eager students are waiting to cover each piece of work with saw dust and the lid is placed firmly on top to smother the flames.
Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop Students
Once all the work is smoking in the bin, the students can all go off and enjoy the barbeque.
A carbonaceous atmosphere is created inside the metal bin, which helps to create the unique metallic and crackled effects that are particular to raku glazes.
Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop Tongs
Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop Bin
Preeti and Maggie look for the work in the bin.
Kenny assists Maggie in the tricky search.
When the bin has been left for awhile to cool Maggie and students have the arduous and smoky task of carefully rooting about in the sawdust to retrieve the raku objects.  This is a tricky process for there are always a few pieces that do not want to be found.  The work is still very hot and on being exposed to the atmosphere, can easily ignite the saw dust again.
Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop Students
Students get ready to open the bin.
Students clean their raku work.
The pieces are the slowly lowered into a bucket of water to cool and can then be cleaned with wire wool to reveal the special glaze effects.
Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop Students
Maggie and Tracy with the Students.
Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop Cleaning
Happy Students demonstrating their cleaning skills.
Pottery Class and Work

Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop
Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop
Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop
Students cleaning their finished work with wire wool to reveal the beautiful raku glazes.

Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop Plate

Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop Bee

Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop Plate
Dish by Katie

Bee by Charles

Plate by Sue
Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop Pot
Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop Plate
Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop Pot
Pot by Julie
Candle Dish by Jane
Heart Pot by Helen
Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop Fossil
Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop Pot
Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop Leaf
Fossil by Ali
Bobble Pot by Helen
Leaf by Gloria
Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop Vase
Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop Figure
Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop Vase
Vase by Carrie-Anne
Figure by Gloria
Pot by Helen

Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop Imp
Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop Armadillo
Imp by Lisa
Armadillo by Lisa

Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop Plaque
Zoo Ceramics Raku WorkshopTree  Plaque
Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop Plaque
Landscape Plaque by Bev
Tree by Kim
Landscape Plaque by Bev

Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop Figure
Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop Lion
Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop Owl
Zoo Ceramics Raku Workshop Figure
Figure by Caroline
Lion by Paul
Owl by Janet
Figure by Helen


Pottery Class and Workshop Links
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Zoo Ceramics Pottery Class Raku Plate
Zoo Ceramics Pottery Class Raku Dish
Flower by Linda
Dish by Claire
Updated 7th April 2021