Raku Workshop – 22nd July 2024

An early start for our Raku Workshop today with many if the students travelling a fair distance to get to us. As it was a workshop, students bring their own pots to fire having been given some general guidelines from Karen. We never know what to expect until they unpack their creations, and we work out the various options to decorate them.  Our first student arrived with some pots she had made over 23 years ago and had smoked fired. We quickly popped these in the kiln whilst waiting for the others to arrive in order to burn off as much of the smoke as we could.  They all survived the firing and consisted of some interesting hand built organic shapes.

The other four students all arrived together after stopping at Starbucks, so Adrian got off his early morning tea round. After a safely briefing and discussion about the day ahead, all the students were encouraged to get involved in the firing process as much as they felt comfortable with. Adrian gave everyone a brief history of Raku, the Raku process and Karen showed some examples of how they might like to decorate their pots.

With great excitement all the pots / creations came out and there were big discussions about how best to decorate / glaze them.  Adrian and Karen were on hand to give some advice as to what might work best dependent on the shape and finish of the pot. A few RakuMania pots were also bought for some of the participants to finish off.  One of the students, an accomplished potter and pottery teacher had also made some of her own glazes, so an interesting day it was to be.

We had two firings before lunch and 4 after as we had quite a few pots to fire and some of them on the slightly bigger side. Happy to say all the hand-built pots (and non-Raku clay pots 😊) survived the firing and reduction process. There were some interesting experiments with designs and glazes, and we had some wonderful outcomes….even Claire was happy with one of her pots !

It was a great workshop and a lovely group of new RakuManiacs. Everyone had a fabulous day, including the trainers.   

AM – Great fun, very interesting and informative. A Wealth of materials to play with

SH – Fantastic day, friendly, informative & lovely setting. Lots of glazes to play withy and ideas for different designs

CW – Such a fantastic day. Lots of glazes and info. Thrilling to actually get in there !! Adrian & Karen don’t change a thing, it’s all perfect 😊

CN – A brilliant day! Loved all the options, advise and number of glazes. Thanks for a fun learning day. Would love to come again 😊

KS – A great day spent glazing and Raku firing. Adrian & Karen are really helpful (and knowledgeable). Tea & biscuits are plenty too 😊