Yesterday I took my 7 and 8 year old boys with me to Ripple River Gallery for their annual raku firing. I've always thought raku is so pretty but I've never seen it done in person. What a treat it was.
We each got to glaze a little vessel and it was fired right there while we watched. When it was done firing they took the pots out and put them in a small metal garbage bin full of newspaper and sawdust and closed the top. After a few minutes the bin was opened and the pieces were removed and hosed off. Where our chalky glazes had been, color and shimmer emerged. It was like magic.
My grubby-handed boys were very proud of their pots and are already looking forward to going again next year. I am too.
Not only did we get to participate in this bit of alchemy, but we got to nibble homegrown apples, look at some fiber art, and watch the release of 2 rehabilitated red-tailed hawks and a pileated woodpecker.
Definitely not your ordinary kind of day for us and we enjoyed it immensely.
Hope you're enjoying your weekend too.
Sounds like an awesone kind of day! Raku is so pretty-i use some raku pendents and beads in my jewelry designing. I bet it was an amazing process to watch. Happy sunday!
ReplyDeleteYour pottery turned out just beautifully! It sound like you all had a great day, and your son's "grubby" hand is cute as it proudly holds his vase : )
ReplyDeleteWow, I love the Raku results! Beautiful! And how lovely to be able to have the boys along for such an experience.
ReplyDeleteSuper cool pottery Lisa! Sounds like a magical kind of day.
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