Blue Ridge Pottery - Raku Pottery

From time to time, when the mood and the air is right, we have been known to fire up the Raku kiln, break out the ceremonial head-dress, chant, and make some beautiful Raku Pottery. It is seldom a planned event, but if you drive by and see smoke, pull on in and you just may see some beautiful Raku pots rise from the ashes. In 2006, we did a Glaze and Raku workshop as part of our Winter Clay Experience Weekend Series. Everyone involved had a great time experiencing the artistic process and creating something truly unique.

Raku Pottery is made using an ancient Japanese process. In this process, pieces are heated up to approximately 1800 deg. F. and then taken out of the kiln "Red Hot" and quickly placed into a bed of sawdust, leaves, rose petals, bark, or other combustible. This catches fire immediately and causes a process called "reduction" where oxygen is removed from the glaze leaving amazing copper, blue, green, and crackle patterns. Raku is more fragile than stoneware and should be handled carefully. Raku is NOT meant for use with food and since the clay is not vitrified, may leak if liquids are placed in it.