Raku Pot

There has always been an artist living inside potter Alycia Goeke. It wasn't until one of her birthdays that she decided to pursue one of her dreams–to throw clay on a wheel. She signed up for a class and one thing led to another. She spent so much time in the potting studio that they hired her to be a teacher. Today, when not running her husband's business, Goeke spends all her time in her own studio–throwing pots on the wheel, and adding her own artistic touch to make them truly stand out.

Materials:

5 lbs. of clay suitable for raku firing*
basic pottery making tools**
potters wheel
throwing basics: a bat, tools and water
wooden skewer for punching holes in soft leather dry clay
electric kiln
raku kiln
glaze--commercially purchased or made in the studio
paintbrushes
shredded newspaper--for the post firing reduction
metal trashcan with lid
pine needles
raffia
#18 blunt tapestry needles
pliers
spray bottle with water
scissors
*Raku firing clay means it has grog in it and is used to high fire stoneware specifically designed to take thermal shock.
** Tools and kits are available at a local art and craft stores.

1. Determine size of piece desired. Cut off appropriate amount of clay from 25 lb. block and wedge the clay well.

2. Center the clay on the wheel and throw the piece (figure A).

3. Smooth out the piece with a rubber rib (figure B).

4. Let the piece dry until it reaches the soft leather stage.

5. Create a swirled indention in the side using your finger (figure C).

6. Trim a foot on the bottom of the pot and initial the pot (figure D).

7. With a wooden skewer, make holes approximately one inch apart, a quarter of an inch in from the rim's edge around the piece (figure E). Make sure to support the pot from the inside with your hand as holes are made. This prevents the pot's edge from cracking.

8. Finish drying the piece and then bisque fire to cone 06.