Czola on tue 5 sep 00

I xeroxed an article from the Jan/Feb 2000 issue of...
well, nowhere on the xerox does the name of the periodical come up, but...
It contains step by step instructions on how to build a raku kiln, one light
and small enough that one person can lift it from the fire.

AND in the article is an email link to the folks who contributed to the
article, Charlie and Linda Riggs of Carthage, NC... address is riana@ac.net

i'll try to find the publications this week

Keiko Suga & Noel Oard Mapstead on tue 5 sep 00

hehehehe steve and tammy

there is always another way

my first glaze manipulations (raku) were introduced to me by my teacher hal rieger
in the valley of death, using 20 mule team borax laundry detergent (glaze) and egg
white (binder), covered by folgers coffee cans, (sagger) to achieve a psuedo
celadon. the pots and cans were placed inside united states air force jet tires
stacked 3 high with a little gasoline and a match (kiln). afterwards, i moved on
to mesquite and finally cow dung. of course there is always charcoal
briquettes pit fire and have a barbecue

noel oard mapstead

Steven Branfman wrote:

> Tammy and Friends,
>
> A couple of days ago Tammy wrote the following:
>
> <> far.I was wondering if anyone knew...can I pitfire RAKU perhaps using
> flowerpots as saggars. I have the glaze...Copper matte. Any ideas would be
> helpful.
>
> Someone also suggested that I could build my own Kiln. If anyone has
> donethis or has plans, please let me know. Any alternative firing
> suggestions, in detail, would be appreciated.>>
>
> Before I could wipe my eyes a reply was posted in the form of the "raku
> gospel" that said (and I'll paraphrase because I've already trashed it) No
> way, you can't fire raku in a pit fire blah, blah, blah.......... Well, the
> fact is that raku has become so many different things to different people
> that in fact you can do "raku" in a pit fire and you certainly can use
> flowerpots as saggars. We do however need to know a little more about just
> what Tammy wants to achieve from her firing before giving a full answer.
> Depending on your pit fire and the temperature at which your raku glazes
> mature, pit fires get plenty hot and raku glazes can melt at might low
> temperatures. Commercial red clay flower pots serves as excellent saggars and
> the drainage dishes that come with them are fine lids for the saggar. You can
> do many things at the typical temperatures of pit fires. so Tammy, dig your
> pit, fill your saggar, build your fire and have a great time!!
>
> I expect that by the time I post this there will have been other
> replies.................
>
> Which brings me to my second point (and I hate to post this and sound like a
> winer but) I wish people would refrain from posting answers to legitimate
> questions with replies that sound like the truth and nothing but the truth.
> Think for a minute about the extent of your own experience and expertise and
> if you are going to offer a reply temper it a little with some openess and
> perhaps a quest for knowledge on your part. There are a number of real
> teachers and knowledgeable people out here in Clayartville and I seek and
> value their advice. Next time you read a reply by one of them (you'll know
> who they are...... ummmm I won't mention any names ...... Jon, Mel, Vince,
> Charlie, Tom, Ron, Monona and others) if you read between the lines you will
> notice at least a bit of humbleness and willingness to hear another persons
> point of view. I like that. Don't you?
>
> That feels better.......
>
> Steven Branfman
>
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