Here are some of our Raku pieces done in the Ferric Chloride method with horse hair, ferns and table or sea salt. The incorporation of organic media adds beauty and character to each piece making it unique and one of a kind. This is just a few organic materials you can incorporate into your pieces. Other examples of organic media that can be added are cow pies, seaweed, hardwood coals, hardwood sawdust, kelp leaves & pods, saline grown leaves, twigs & grass and copper & cobalt carbonate. This Ferric Chloride method is very dangerous and long sleeves, pants, gloves and a respirator must be worn to keep from contacting skin or inhaling the toxic fumes. The Ferric Chloride is brushed onto the piece in the manner the artist wishes and when dry, organic matter (horse hair, ferns, sea weed, leafs, salt) is applied and wrapped in tin foil. Salt is applied when wet. Horse hair can also be added directly when an unwrapped Ferric Chloride piece (no tin foil) is removed from the kiln . It is important to make sure the Ferric Chloride is completely dry on the piece, because when wet the tin foil will begin to smoke and catch on fire producing toxic and corrosive fumes.
The piece is then placed in a gas Raku kiln and heated to the desired temperature for the desired colors. Stay clear of the kiln and upwind to keep from inhaling the fumes. Some even keep the respirator on during the firing process. Once the piece has reached the desired temperature, using a digital thermometer (Pyrometer), the piece is immediately removed from the kiln and tin foil removed. Tin foil must be removed immediately to stop the process and insure the proper color wanted. This again is done with all the proper protective gear because you will still have toxic fumes when removed and stripped of tin foil.
The different colors come from the different temperature ranges you stop the firing at. colors range from reds, yellow, oranges, blues and violets. Black is also achieved, but it comes from the organic media introduced under the tin foil. These colors are achieved in temperatures from approximately 1100 F. and 1800 F. This is done by using a Raku kiln, because an electric kiln can be dangerous or even fatal when using metal tongs around the elements. The piece is then allowed to cool and a clear coat is sprayed onto the piece to desired gloss. less coats to achieve a low luster and more coats to achieve a high luster. This can be purchased at any hardware store for minimal cost.
These pieces are very beautiful but are not very functional. You can not put water in these vessels for flowers nor can they be placed in the dishwasher. Dry flower arrangements can be used with beautiful results. Once fired they are not harmful to touch because of the clear coat placed on them, but are still in no way food or dishwasher safe. They are strictly decorative and very much a unique center piece.
Hope this gives you an idea of the process and time put into some of our Ferric Chloride pieces. This is in no way a complete guide or course of instruction in this process. Do not attempt this without supervision, instruction and proper equipment. If you would like instruction in this process and a detailed outline of this method and many others you may contact us at our website. We do give classes to small to large groups. Contact for more information at, www.carolinapotterycreations.com and enjoy our site. Thanks for reading our blog,
Shawn Gibson
