HANDS-ON FIRING: Raku and Foil Saggar
Join us on Saturday August 1 and Sunday August 2, 2026 for a raku workshop with Jane White and Susan Salmaron. The cost is $150.
In the event of rain and/or wind, the workshop will take place the following weekend.
Workshop Description
Through combination of lecture and firings, participants will identify variables that influence results of raku and saggar firings. Each day will include firings and discussion. We will have raku glazes, saggar combustibles, abvara, horse hair and naked raku slip available.
We will discuss/analyze results of each kiln load and work towards controlling and repeating results.
The Guild’s facility and checklists will be emphasized to ensure that participants can run a safe and successful firing at the Guild or anywhere they have access to raku and foil saggar firing. Safety concerns will be emphasized, including smoke, how fire behaves, possible burns, use of propane, burner, gloves, and choreography.
Kilns will be ready to go at beginning of first class. Everyone will help, at end of workshop, cleaning kiln yard.
Open to anyone with a working clay knowledge, who can provide bisqueware made outside of this class. No ware will be made in this workshop and no greenware can be fired. Anyone without access to a studio can use the Fisk Studio in Clinton at a nominal cost. Details below.
Special Note
Bring your lunch. Please plan on staying in the building to monitor kilns and participate in discussion.
WORKSHOP DETAIL
Throughout the two days , we will ideally create a list of variables that influence results as well as discuss/analyze results of each kiln load.
Day ONE:
Glaze a provided tile for first kiln load
Divide into two firing teams, each with their own kiln to manage
Discussion of bisqueware to determine any challenges and divide into loads
Images and discussion of possibilities
Glaze your pieces to prep for more firings
We should get at least 10 firings through on the first day
Day TWO:
Teams meet to determine loads and start kilns
Susan Salmaron will lead us in Foil Sagger techniques. We will be able to work on these while waiting for raku kilns to be ready to unload. Bring horse hair, feathers, and any combustible to experiment
Continue glazing and wrapping saggars
Stop firing at 4:00 to clean up kiln yard and studio discuss results
Stop firing at 4:30 to discuss results and clean up kiln yard
Bisqueware
Bisqueware that is porcelain, earthenware, thick ( greater than 3/8 inch thick) , thick/thin variation within a piece, or fragile are less likely to survive the firings. There are ways to approach that type of work and we will discuss that, but for the sake of efficiency, please use a stoneware or raku clay body.
Nothing should be taller than 10 inches or wider than 12”. Tiles that can fire on their side (leaning against a brick) will use 4” x length of ware that makes contact with shelf.
Burnished terra sigillata on ware used for saggars, horsehair and naked raku techniques is recommended for results that have a wonderful sheen and look more finished.
If you would prefer to use premade pieces, you can purchase at class for $10, with no guarantee of their success. None will have terra sigillata applied
Firing Space
We will try to get enough firings to get the work you bring through the firings, but there is no guarantee that all your work will be fired.
Raku kiln firings ( including horse hair, abvarra and crackle slip)
The kiln shelf is 12’x12’ and height of kiln is 10”. We will be able to get approximately 22 loads fired. That gives everyone approximately 2.2 kiln loads of space , or 316 square inches of shelf space for ware. Sometimes firing on edge saves shelf space… a 10”x10” tile on edge will take 4”x10” or 40sq inch , rather than 100 sq inch.
Foil Saggars ,
6 - 8 pieces, no bigger than 6”x6”x8” for foil saggars
CLINTON STUDIO ACCESS
This studio is located at 4892 FISK RD, Clinton MI, a 30 minute drive from the Guild.
Available to people with ceramics experience , who can work independently to prepare for AAPG Raku Workshop .
Available May 10 - July16.
Open Hours: Sunday - Thursday, 11am – 8pm, by appointment
Orientation by appointment. Please register with Jane by TEXT at 517-815-4743.
After an orientation, please text the day before you come to use studio, with ETA.
Studio Fee : $20/ week ( access all open hours Sunday – Thursday)
Firing Fee : $1.00/pound to bisque fire
$1.50/ pound glaze fire, if you want to also do some cone 6 firing
Clay : Bring your own clay. A stoneware should work and a raku clay has better probability of survival for raku and sagger firing.
Questions ? Call Jane 517-815-4743