Raku Taster – 25th October 2025
Our Wonderful Raku Day We (Catherine and Philippe, mum and son) started the day with a drive from Swansea to Llanddowror, which was already a little bit magical, with so…
The long-anticipated wait for the weekend was almost over and John arrived Friday afternoon and we started the set up and glaze making for the Matt Lustre & Naked Raku. The two classes were fully booked, and the Saturday weather looked great for some outdoor firing. Both days started with a nice cuppa tea and after a brief introduction and safety talk, the RakuMania team handed over the John Scott from Sourdust pottery.
John gave a brief talk about Matt Lustre technique but said it was much easier to understand when we actually do it. He moved onto the Naked Raku process which involved using a resist and sacrifice glaze. John demonstrated his method of “sgraffito” using a compass to get fabulous uniform shapes and everyone got a chance to decorate a demonstration piece. The participants, having unpacked all their pots, animals and wonderful creations, they decided which they would use for Matt Lustre and which for Naked. Some wanted to have a go at the horsehair / feather technique, so earmarked some pots for that too.
The class started with preparing the pots for Naked Raku and this involved dipping or pouring on a resist which prevents the glaze from adhering to the pot. The resist needs to dry really well, so these were put aside whilst everyone dipped their other pots into the Matt Lustre glaze. This glaze was quick to dry, and John had the kilns up and running in no time. Whilst we had a few firings on the go, the class then glazed their Naked raku pots / creations.
On the Saturday we left the horsehair technique till the very end but on the Sunday we did it whilst the Naked Raku creations were drying. Sunday was not as kind with the weather, and we managed to lose one gazebo early on and towards the end of the afternoon had to hold the other down whilst finishing off the last couple of firings. The class all got involved with the processes with John taking the lead on the Matt Lustre, Adrian the Naked Raku and Karen the horsehair / feather technique. The team worked well and both days were long but a great success.
The participates had a great day and all went home very happy with the end results. Plans are being put in place now for a kiln building weekend and a saggar firing workshop.
19th October 2024
PT – Thanks for all the prep & smashing set up. Great experimental experience
MR – Amazing! Thrilled with the outcome, super organisation – love it ! Thank you. Look forward to building a Raku kiln
CS – Amazing day. Thank you
KS – Fantastic day. Learnt a lot about matt lustre. Great snacks too
MV – Super day – great to reinforce what I have learnt, so might be brave enough to raku myself
TR – Awesome fun. I learned so much. Hopefully see you again soon!
HH – Fantastic !
20th October 2024
AD – Fab class and great tutors. Location and facilities are superb!
JB – Wonderful experience learning from experts. Very enjoyable time ands so many pots fired in just one day. Many thanks to John, Adrian and Karen 😊
JR – Once again a fabulous day. Coming away with some wonderful creations
JL – Brilliant day thanks. Looking forward to kiln making course in 2025
JJ – Totally fabulous day. Thank you ! See you next year
AB – Fantastic day! Thank you, John you’re a great teacher! Thank you Adrian & Karen as always for the greatest day!
KL – Amazing day, learnt loads from John. Can’t wait for the next course. Thanks again Adrian & Karen for a wonderful day.
