I was recently asked to make about 20 tiles all 20cm x 10cm for a customer. It really is challenging not only making them- (all the same!) but to fire them too and achieve a consistant -lasting result. Raku by it's nature is pretty randomn, and especially with copper lustre- the effects can be fleeting. I'll try and answer some of these points.
Making:
Firstly- I made the tiles using roller guides- rolling onto a wooden board, covered with canvass or paper. They key thing is have enough space to work and not to lift or move them! They all need to be a uniform thickness so roller guides area must. Use a template and a ruler- and a potter's knife to cut. A wooden board can be placed on top to stop warping. You will need to periodically check for this as they dry. Make more than you will need.
Firing:
Supposing you get through the bisque firing unscathed- it's the "fun" part. I place the tiles onto a pad of ceramic fibre onto the kiln shelf. This helps with lifting off the hot shelf. I fire them to about 1020 degrees c- which to an extent- helps preserve the lustres better. They go into the reduction bin 1 at a time, and are quickly covered. I fire two shelves of tiles and they all go into the same bin. I reduce for about an hour.
Making:
Firstly- I made the tiles using roller guides- rolling onto a wooden board, covered with canvass or paper. They key thing is have enough space to work and not to lift or move them! They all need to be a uniform thickness so roller guides area must. Use a template and a ruler- and a potter's knife to cut. A wooden board can be placed on top to stop warping. You will need to periodically check for this as they dry. Make more than you will need.
Firing:
Supposing you get through the bisque firing unscathed- it's the "fun" part. I place the tiles onto a pad of ceramic fibre onto the kiln shelf. This helps with lifting off the hot shelf. I fire them to about 1020 degrees c- which to an extent- helps preserve the lustres better. They go into the reduction bin 1 at a time, and are quickly covered. I fire two shelves of tiles and they all go into the same bin. I reduce for about an hour.
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