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.
