Raku Workshop – 8th August 2025

We have been looking forward to this day for a while now. Unlike with our Raku Taster sessions where students get pots made by us, our Workshops involve the students making and bringing along their own creations. Three of the students had done a making day with Adrian and had made some slip cast items and also slab rolled houses, bowls and platters. The other two students had made and bisque fired their own creations, so we could not wait for them to show us what they had made.

With the introduction done over a first cuppa tea, a quick safety briefing and then Karen showed the students some ideas they could use to decorate their creations. We prepared the various dipping glazes, hauled out the numerous brushing glazes, tape and wax resist. With 6 to 8 items each there was no time to spare and the students got straight to work decorating their creations. Karen helped with glazing suggestions and the dipping glazes, whilst Adrian got the kiln and all the Raku equipment ready. We estimated at least 5 to 6 firings today so wanted to get the first one going as soon as the first batch of pots were ready for firing.

Karen also testing a new more buff / pinky colour Raku Clay that we are looking at using for our taster sessions.  On the whole we had some fabulous creations and all the students when home laded with their glazed & Raku fired pots, plates, luminaries, houses, bowls and vases.

Well done RakuManiacs

JR – Thoroughly enjoyed my first Raku, thanks so much

BR – Such a fab day. Really enjoyed and love the pots so much. Thank you 😊

AB – Thank you for an amazing day 😊

PB – Great as always! Thank you to the ‘Kiln God’ !!

JM – The ‘Kiln God’ worked his magic! Great workshop. Loved the fab results 😊