Second Saturdays are FREE and open to the public — potters and pottery enthusiasts alike. No need to RSVP, just show up on the Second Saturday of each month and stay for as long as you’d like (from 10 am to about 2:30 or so). Snacks are always available and vary each month (from cheese & crackers to cookies, fruit to chocolate-raspberry tartlets, and everything in between).

The September Second Saturday will be our semi-annual RAKU event. Due to the popularity of the event, we will limit everyone to two pieces each (maximum).

Check in with Anne W. Bracker when you first arrive to get 2 ID cards (to identify your pots throughout the process).

Raku firing has a rich history, dating back to 16th century Japan. Today’s raku has changed to take advantage of gas firing as well as the materials readily available in the USA. Raku firing is a fast glaze firing (bisque firing first is necessary) that only takes 45 minutes to an hour. This fast firing time gives potters an opportunity to see nearly instantaneous results. Including the time to glaze a piece, fire it, put it in the reduction chamber (a garbage can with sawdust or other combustible material and a tight lid) and then clean it up from the post-firing reduction, you can see a finished piece in less than 2 hours.

Feel free to bring your own bisque-fired pot to glaze and fire. If you don’t have your own, a handful of generous potters have worked hard to create and bisque-fire some pots you can purchase from them for a few bucks each to glaze and fire to experience raku firing with us. If you love to make pots and want to bring extra bisque to sell, feel free to bring it with you! Half of the proceeds goes to Bracker’s and half to you. Learn how the process works or just have fun glazing a pot you can take home with you that same day.

Cindy and David will be the firemasters for the day. MAKE SURE TO LISTEN TO THEM! Wear sturdy shoes (no sandals or other open-toed shoes) and if you have long hair, bring a rubber band or something to keep your hair secured. We’ll provide a selection of glazes, kilns, and reduction materials.

Glazes used for the Fall 2013 raku firing: AMACO R19 Copper Matte, Spectrum 866 Deep Space, Laguna R2 Tutti Frutti, Bracker’s Crackle White, and a recipe to be announced later.

A variety of food will be available. Bracker’s typically grills something (like hotdogs, for example) and anyone can bring other yummy things to eat. Bringing food is not required, but participants have turned this into such a fun potluck event by bringing chips, soda, potato salad, fruit, desserts, etc. and you’re welcome to bring something if you’d like.

If you enjoy yourself during our BYOB Raku event, you may choose to donate a little cash (to thank your firemasters for their hard work and to offset the cost of propane) so we can continue to offer this free event. Look for the bright yellow donation cans.