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raku glaze blisters

updated tue 30 apr 96

 

SBRANFPOTS@aol.com on thu 25 apr 96

Dan Johnson writse that he is getting blisters and bubbles when firing his
80-20 glaze to c06 in raku. From his description it sounds like he is
overfiring the glaze. Bubbles and blisters could be the result of underfiring
as well but if the pots are underfiried the surface will be matt, if
overfiried the surface will be glossy. To anyone out there raku firing,
forget the silly cones and learn to fire by eye. It is more accurate, you
have more creative control, and it is more rewarding!

Observe the glaze through the entire melting process and you will see the
metamorphosis. Fire the glaze until the surface looks extremely wet and
shiny, like the reflection of water on ice in the sunlight. It takes a little
practice and experience but the skill of recognizing your mature glaze is
well worth the effort and potentially over and under fired pots along the
way.

Steve Branfman