The fun thing about raku - is that you never really know what is going to happen. See the green dragon pot below.The funny thing about the green dragon - and the red dragon - is that they are supposed to both be the same colour. They are the same glaze - Turquoise. Everything depends on the heat tempurature, the location in the kiln - and the reduction process. I was surprised to say the least - however - very pleased.
This pot here with the dragonfly was an oopsy. The picture was very hard to take - the flash
keeps making the dragonfly too bright. However - if you were to get a good look - the dragonfly is a very lusterous red glaze. The rest of the pot is supposed to be a black and white spot called naked raku. When you quench the pot - the glaze is supposed to crack and fall off - it didn't.
However - if I could show you the pot - because the glaze stayed on - and only flaked off in small areas - it has the look of being very old and fragile. Sometimes oopsies are OK.
These last two pots I picked up in early June while on a pottery run. They are by a small pottery shop in Miller Lake , Ontario - about 4 hours from here - called, what else - Miller Lake Pottery. Funny thing - the guy who makes these pots used to live just down the road from me - and we do know his family. It's a small world.
Rob Nantais (the potter) - makes these pots loosely based on the Lord of the Rings. They are a big seller. The jug on the left is a wizard (Gandalf) - the jar on the right isn't really based on any of the characters - but he does all of these faces in pots, mugs, jars - they are quite captivating.
That's it for pottery tonight.
It's still crazy busy here - we have sold several sheep - and deliveries will start in the next few weeks. I also have to start preparing fleeces for the mill, and I have several pottery commissions to get done as well. Let's couple that with a trip to Newfoundland in August - and it's going to be one busy summer.
And I said I was going to take it easy this year - Yeah Right!
6 comments:
brillant! love the dragons
Cate
Your dragon pots are beautiful! I've been spinning up the soft dark brown Shetland roving you sent me last fall; I think I'm going to knit myself a vest with it. Thank-you again for the fiber!
Love the dragon pots! We have a big festival of pottery over here http://www.potfest.co.uk/forms.htm which I'll bet you'd love. Two of these events are held really near to my house and I'm hoping to pop along next friday for a browse... and maybe buy something nice. Bet they wont have any pot shetlands though :o/
Hi Everyone - thanks for the vote of confidence in my dragons. I have some more to do - but haven't had the time to Raku (actually it's too hot to raku right now).
Glad you like the rovings Michelle - weren't the dark brown ones llama??
I can't remember that far back - lol.
Jenny - the pottery festival sounds fantastic. Maybe next year - I believe that a trip to England is in the planning stages - now, if we can just get me on a plane!!!
You sent me some llama, too, that I've already spun up. Wish I could go to England; no problem getting me on a plane for that, except for the cost of the ticket and a replacement for me here at home!
I forgot all about the brown roving Michelle. We'll see if I can get on the plane - sigh - or take the time off work. I've finally got the husband and son to the point that I can leave the farm chores in their capable hands. I am off to Newfoundland in 6 weeks - driving.
That will be a tiring trip.
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