ALTERNATIVE FIRING PROCESS PART 2
RAKU & OBVARA

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Raku

 Raku is a method of firing pottery. Each piece is fired in a kiln until the piece reaches about 1800 F. The piece is removed, with tongs, while red hot and place in a metal can with a combustible material, like paper or sawdust. The combustible material ignites and the fire and smoke react with the glaze to create very unique and unpredictable colors, lusters, and patterns. These pots are not food safe or water tight. 

Obvara

 Obvara, a Russian technique of firing is fascinating. The pots are taken from a hot kiln (Raku) at about 900 deg C and quickly submerged in a solution of water, flour, yeast and sugar that has been fermenting for days. Once removed from the solution the pots are cooled in a bucket of cold water.  The flour, yeast, sugar mixture makes the surface covered with beautiful brown, tan black and grey stains. Some look like ferns and leaves others are bubble like.  No two are alike. These posts are not food safe or water tight. 
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