Raku is a special, Japanese firing technique that utilizes the chemistry of reduction to achieve metallic-looking glazes. The pots are pulled from the kiln at 1600ºF, and are put directly into trashcans containing shredded newspaper. The resulting fire and smoke reduce the glazes which gives the glaze a nice shine, and blackens the unglazed, bare clay.

These pieces are MORE FRAGILE than normal ceramics due to the thermal shock process that they undergo. Cracks in these pieces are common, and they are therefore NOT SAFE to be used for food or liquids. They need to be handled with extra care. Please always hold and move these with two hands under the item, and not by the tops.

Saggar firing is a traditional, Korean/Japanese firing technique which utilizes entrapment of chemical fumes in order to create smokey and colorful finishing appearances.

These piece are coated in ferric chloride, and different combustable materials are added on the pot to give different looks. Everywhere you see black, something burned there. The pieces are then wrapped tightly in aluminum foil and fired to 1500ºF, at which point the kiln is opened and the items are allowed to cool to room temperature.

These pieces are MORE FRAGILE than normal ceramics due to the thermal shock process that they undergo. Cracks in these pieces are common, and they are therefore NOT SAFE to be used for food or liquids. They need to be handled with extra care. Please always hold and move these with two hands under the item, and not by the tops.