Raku clay is formed into a slab & textured by pressing various handmade & found items into it. This process is used to create an 'Old Broken' look to the shard. After the piece is completely dry it is bisque fired.
The bisque fired SHARD is then used much as a painter uses his canvas. The picture is drawn & then "painted with glazes" that have been formulated from raw materials, along with some commercial glazes. Unlike a painter, glaze must be layered 3 to 6 times making sure each layer is dry before the next one is applied.
The SHARD is then Raku fired: When the kiln temperature has reached 1830 degrees Fahrenheit the shard is removed and placed into a metal can containing sawdust. This causes the sawdust to ignite and flame up. The can is then covered and the shard is allowed to smoke. All this fire causes the glaze to change colors and crackle. The smoke turns the white clay black. When cool the shard is scrubbed to remove all the soot then placed on a rack to dry.
THIS PROCESS ENSURES
THAT EACH PIECE
WILL BE TOTALLY UNIQUE
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RUFFLE BOWL 11" x 11" by Megan McCrea
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