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raku reduction materials

updated mon 1 dec 03

 

Christy Pines on tue 25 nov 03


thinking about firing the raku kiln this weekend, but without sawdust or massive amounts of newspaper, wondering how all those leaves piled up in my backyard would work. Obviously, if it rains again tonight, they won't work, but has anyone tried using oak, maple, etc leaves to fuel the reduction smoke? We used to burn them (long long ago when I was a kid) but of course, pollution became a problem, so now we bag them up and send them to the recycle center where they grind them up and do who-knows-what with them. I can even run them through the vacuum/shreader thing I have if they need to be a bit finer or smaller in size.

Anyone ever tried it?

christy in connecticut, usa, where there are way more leaves than i could ever have need for in my raku kiln

Karen Stokes on sun 30 nov 03


In our high school pottery class in Claremont, CA., we had a BUNCH of
eucalypatus(?) trees on campus, and we used those leaves and whatever other
leaves we could find to dump in the old trash barrel that we used for
reducing in. Also, out here in the White Mountains of AZ, the Indians use
sheep and cow dung, ans also old leaves, sagebrush, and such, in order to
get those magnificent black pots that they make. Of course they pit fire
their pots. We have a little Hopi lady that married an Apache, and she does
BEAUTIFUL black pots out here on the Apache Rez. SHe uses horse dung, I
think. I haven't made it down to her place to watch, but it is definetly on
my "to do" list for next year.



Karen Stokes
3 Feathers Ranch
Snowflake, Arizona

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logan johnson on sun 30 nov 03


Hi Karen,
This question has nothing to do with raku, however my inlaws also live in AZ. Cottonwood to be exact. That's just down the mountain from Jerome AZ. which leads to my question, have you ever visited Jerome? It's the most awesome little ghost town thats been brought back to life. on the main street (the only street you can drive a car on) there are three or four potterys! Ceramics seems to be the most dominant type of business except for places to eat. It has been a few years since I've been there but I've been going there for the past 20 yrs. & this place has NEVER ceased to inspire me artisticly & spiritualy. Not to mention the fact that roving through an old copper mining boom town with the original buildings is just tooooooooooo much fun & a great way to spend a little time. Especialy if you have kids with you! Please let me know if you ever get there & what you thought of it. I could talk about Jerome for DAYS! Did I mention how much I adore your state?!!! Oh! by the way, I
use pizza boxes for my reduction barrels it gets rid of those blankety blank bag ripping boxes & gives a DEEP, RICH black to my pottery. have a great day! C-YA!

Karen Stokes wrote:
In our high school pottery class in Claremont, CA., we had a BUNCH of
eucalypatus(?) trees on campus, and we used those leaves and whatever other
leaves we could find to dump in the old trash barrel that we used for
reducing in. Also, out here in the White Mountains of AZ, the Indians use
sheep and cow dung, ans also old leaves, sagebrush, and such, in order to
get those magnificent black pots that they make. Of course they pit fire
their pots. We have a little Hopi lady that married an Apache, and she does
BEAUTIFUL black pots out here on the Apache Rez. SHe uses horse dung, I
think. I haven't made it down to her place to watch, but it is definetly on
my "to do" list for next year.



Karen Stokes
3 Feathers Ranch
Snowflake, Arizona

_________________________________________________________________
Groove on the latest from the hot new rock groups! Get downloads, videos,
and more here. http://special.msn.com/entertainment/wiredformusic.armx

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Logan Johnson
Audeo Studios
"Carpe Argilla!!"


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