Cracled/Glazed Raku
8" x 8" x 5.5"
The crackling effect is formed by brushing the surface of a thrown pot with sodium silicate, quick-drying the surface with a heat gun or blowtorch until the surface no longer is tacky, then expanding the form from inside. The sodium silicate solution hardens on the outside and cracks are formed as you force the clay to move. It is then fired in a kiln. The glazed ceramics are taken from the kiln while they are still glowing red hot and are then placed in any combustible material such as sawdust or newspaper. The burning flames starve the piece of oxygen, which creates a myriad of colors within the glaze. This firing technique is known as Raku.