Alternative firing techniques

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Asus101
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Alternative firing techniques

Post by Asus101 »

While this has nothing to do with bonsai, Pat, how often do you experiment with raku, saggar and drum styled firings?
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Pat K
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Re: Alternative firing techniques

Post by Pat K »

Hi Ben,

Our local potters group, of which I'm a keen participant (you're talking to the Asst. Treasurer :ugeek: ) often have Raku firings when the fire-bans allow it. Of course, the low firing temps of raku make it unsuitable for bonsai pots in frost prone areas, however, as soon as the weather allows it, I'm planning on raku firing some previously high fired pots. Not sure what the results will be but it's something that Horst H has done with great success.

I haven't done any sagar or drum firings since my TAFE days but have toyed with doing some sagar firings using a cardboard box at cone 10 (I'm not kidding :shock: ), allowing me to do some soda firings without ruining my kiln. 8-)....at least, that's the plan!

This is the style of pot I want to raku...it's thrown then beaten into square with a wooden spoon!

Cheers
Pat
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Asus101
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Re: Alternative firing techniques

Post by Asus101 »

I was hoping you had done some. My girlfriend had brought me a book featuring Don Ellis as well as a number of others. It goes in depth into these sort of firings, and it has interested me a great deal.
Have you done burnished Terra Sig. on greenware, brisqued to cone 010 and then drum fired with copper wire wrapped around the work? Has some wonderful effects.
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Pat K
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Bonsai Club: Canberra Bonsai Soc.
Location: Adelong ....midway between Sydney and Melbourne, off the Hume Hwy
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Been thanked: 8 times

Re: Alternative firing techniques

Post by Pat K »

Hi Ben,

This cascade pot (140x140mm) is finished with terra sig. and fired to cone 10. Not fond of the copper wire....I'll leave it to others! :P

Pat
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Asus101
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Re: Alternative firing techniques

Post by Asus101 »

I think I'll be spending a few days over the three months that I'm in Canberra with you.

The copper wire gives some nice effects as it burns away.
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