results of horse hair firing and a look at my raku kiln

[simdude2u]

Do you put glaze on your horse hair raku pots?

[adlesk54]

@simdude2u

no glaze, but I do apply terrasigilata to the pots when they are bone dry.

[simdude2u]

@adlesk54 What is your recipe for terrasigilata?

[adlesk54]

@simdude2u the recipie for the sig is: 31/2 Gal. water, 1Tbs. soda ash, and 9lbs Ball clay. Mix well and let them settle out. siphon off the water at the top and discard, the middle layer is the sig. siphon that into a container for use. Good luck!

regards,

Sue.

[jmg1957]

well done

[adlesk54]

@jmg1957 Thanks for the kind words,

regards, Sue.

[doriecronin]

Thanks for the tips. Cant wait to try this! Happy potting!

[potteryworks]

sue try the standard# 182 stoneware nice and smooth i switched last year. you won't know the differents.i haven't had any cracking.".knock on wood" how do you color your pot ?color the sig or color slip

[adlesk54]

I have been coloring the sig with mason stains.

[chfengr]

Nice work Sue. I am surprised you don't include a feather or two, some sugar and grated orange peel for effect. I like to use the art supply colored feathers, sometimes the pot takes in a hint of the color of the feather in the immediate area.  I agree, the cracking is frustrating. I too like the velvet underglazes, best going.

[adlesk54]

Thanks for the kind words. I have tried sugar, its a very nice effect. I have had no luck with feathers so far. but the orange peel sounds interesting. I will have to give it a try.

regards, Sue

[chfengr]

I use the grated orange peel you buy in the spice section of the grocery store. I also like to set the pot onto a dried leaf, usually a gikgo leaf, so it burns the leaf imprint on the base. I like your idea of using the second can to protcet from the wind.

I am going to try your method of applying the sig. I was dipping but believe it was to heavy of an application. What clay are you using?

[adlesk54]

I am using a high fire white stonewear clay.

(S181) my supplier says it has a firing range from ^4 to ^10.

I have also tried a raku clay, which does not crack as much, but the clay is on the rough side. I prefer the smooth white stonewear....

I was thinking of trying a low fire clay at some point. Some say the low fire clays resist the thermal shock better?

[chfengr]

I have attempted to use the raku clay and stoneware with more grog. Cracking was less but as you say the roughness of the surface. I was thinking the sig might lessen the roughness but had a problem with the sig peeling, as you say, maybe on to heavy, I dipped it. One piece that I had good results with was a wood fired piece and then do the H hair. Very interesting. But back to the cracking, I believe the key to the cracking problem is even thinkness of the pot no matter how thin.

[adlesk54]

Yes I agree. Even thicknes througout the pot is the most important. I find I can throw the round shapes and other simple shapes more evenly than bottle type shapes that need to be collared in. hopefully with more practice I will get better at it. I just did another horse hair firing today. lost a few, but the others came out beautifully!!

[chfengr]

I hope you will be posting pictures. Do you have a web site? Collaring is difficult with thickness, but pull as you collar and you will have it!

[adlesk54]

Thanks for the encouragement! No I dont have a website yet, but i will post a slide show here..Enjoy!

[clownfishyi1994]

hi, how do you actually get the imprint of the hair to stick. tried in my wood burning stove tonight. i made a big fire, slowly put the pot in, covered it with burning wood, the pot was glowing red. i got some horse hair from the barn and slowly put it on, but nothing showed up. will a mark be left after the pot has cooled. thanks

[adlesk54]

I know that some use a wood fire succesfully for horse hair pots. You have to pull the pot out of the fire with tongs and apply the hair. If the pot is too hot the hair will just evaporate. let it cool a bit and by trial and error you will know when to apply. Give it another try!

[rapidac]

I see you answered the questions on the other vid. :) Underglazes work very well and mimic the sig but without the burnishing marks.

[adlesk54]

Thanks for the comments. I have only tried the velvet underglazes I agree that they go on more evenly. especially when you use one of those prevail sprayers. but they had a matte finish. I prefer the translucence (if thats a word) of the terrasig.

Regards,Sue

[rapidac]

Well done Sue! Are the colors underglaze? Terra Sig? What temperature are you bisquing?

[DASRAY]

Great Great Video!!! Sue,

Thank you so much for sharing with us!!!

Really like your safety tips.

Pots are wonderful!

I'll keep trying for sure!!!