Copper Ridge Raku Bottle

Description

(Western Style) Rakuyaki, or Raku, is a Japanese firing process. A bisqued piece is glazed with special raku glazes. It is fired in a small gas kiln with a removable top. When the piece reaches maturity the top is remove and the glowing white hot piece is moved via long tongs to a trashcan full of combustibles. ie. newspaper, sawdust, banana peals, leaves, bark... so on. The stuff inside the trash can instantly bursts into flames and then the lid is put on the can and the piece sits in the smoldering, smoking can. This causes the glaze to change colors unevenly giving it a flash of colors. The unglazed areas absorb this smoke/carbon and is turned black. White crackle glazes absorb the carbon into the cracks making them visible. After the pieces are cooled they are removed and gently scrubbed to reveal all the colors!

!!! Please note that Raku pieces are not food safe. Keep them out of direct sunlight because the colors will fade. They are not water tight and should not be used for planting. !!!!

THE PROCESS:

A ball of cone 10 (high fire) white stoneware clay is wedged and thrown on an electric wheel to desired shape. The foot is trimmed when it is dried to leather hard. The the details are carved or pressed in to the piece. It is dried slowly over several days to avoid cracking. It is then bisque fired for 8 hours to 1800 degrees in an electric kiln. When the kiln has cooled after a couple of days the piece is removed and then glazes are applied via dipping, spraying or painting. It is then raku fired, cleaned, and ready to add that special decorative touch to it's new home, YOURS!

Dimensions:
(Dimensions are based by the widest points.)
W x L x H: (About) 5'' x 5'' x 9'' with a 1'' hole

Weight: 2 pounds

Glaze: Copper Ridge

COLOR: Textured matte metalicy flash of dark rainbow of colors.

Packaging & Shipping:

Items are wrapped with plenty of bubble wrap and shipped in a 200# corrugated box.

Once payment is recieved / verified, items are shipped via USPS Priority Mail (2-3 day shipping) right to you. From reciept of the order to your door takes about 5 business days OR LESS. I will notify you when your item has shipped.

Thanks for choosing a Joe Conard Creation!

Added on Oct 11, 2009