FIRST RAKU FIRING FOR 2026

Members and non-members welcome.

We're raku-ing again! Get involved in this awesome, fast-firing process! Our raku expert, David Kenny, will run this event, providing you with an opportunity to fire a few items each.

If you haven't been part of a raku firing before, they are fun, dramatic, and yield unpredictable but breathtaking results. Please try and bring a glazed piece or arrive at 9.30 to glaze before firing.

9.30am

• Glazing (if you haven't already glazed, but please try to do this before Tuesday evening) 
• Kiln set up 

10am 

• Briefing and firing begins

Notes for glazing and firing:

• If possible, please try to do your glazing before the day so it is dry and we can start firing straight away. If it's not dry, there's a possibility it could explode in the kiln.
• Bring bisque- fired work that is thin and even, and under 180mm tall.
• Small pieces survive while bigger things benefit from a good Raku clay (please check at WSP if unsure). 
• Raku glazes are labelled and are in the kiln room for use. Areas left unglazed will be turned black and grey by the smoke.
• Glossy copper gives best results on its own (no glaze under or over).
• Dark colours don't show the crackle as well.
• Bigger, smooth areas are more likely to crackle. 
• Raku glazes will damage other kilns so glazed pieces need to be stored in an area designated by Libby.

Costs:

• There is a $10 fee for members and $14 for non-members, which is due when booking. This covers your Play with Clay session for the morning.
• There will be a gas and firing fee on the day for the area taken up in the kiln. This can be paid with David after the firing. A raku firing sheet will be used to calculate the firing cost of each piece.