Raku & Smoke Fired

One of Tracy's favourite ways to fire clay is using a process called Raku which was developed in Japan. Pieces are fired in the kiln until melting temperature and then using tongs Tracy transfers the pieces into metal cans of combustible materials. The pieces smoulder in the can as the the fire dissipates and this creates irridescent patterns of chemical reaction to dance upon the glazed pieces. Sometimes the piece is taken out during the smouldering and sprayed with water to capture a particular pattern. The other way Tracy likes to play in the fire is with smoke fired pieces. They come out of the kiln super hot with a light matt base on the burnished forms. Tracy places the pieces on a spinner and quickly applies materials (like horse hair and feathers) that make impressions on the pots. Inquire about Tracy's raku and smoke fire workshops!