Beautiful Raku Beads

I have been up to my elbows in these amazing raku ceramic beads that I got for this month's DHD subscription box projects. Two great pieces of jewelry have been made for subscribers using these plus some other beads in different sizes and a few silver ones thrown in for good measure. ⠀ ⠀ 

I just love how this 16th-century Japanese craft is still used today to create such beauty. It uses porcelain and glazes to create beads, small sculptural elements, and other items, each being unique due to the handmade nature and the Raku process.

Most types of pottery are loaded into a cold kiln where the firing proceeds slowly until the desired temperature is reached. This firing cycle may take anywhere from 8-24 hours or more. When the kiln has reached temperature, it is shut off and allowed to cool enough to be able to remove the ware using bare or lightly gloved hands. The cooling cycle may last from 12-24 hours or longer. The item is considered finished when it is taken from the kiln. 

In raku, the pieces are preheated and loaded into a hot kiln. The firing proceeds at a rapid pace with the wares reaching a temperature in as short a cycle as 15-20 minutes. Glaze maturity is judged by the trained eye without the use of measuring devices. When the firing is determined to be completed the wares are immediately removed from the kiln. Since at this point the glaze is molten, tongs or other lifting devices are used. 

At this point, the process is still not complete. The beads are put into a container with combustible material such as sawdust, or leaves and allowed to smoke. The atmosphere created reacts and affects the glazes and clay and imparts unique effects and surfaces to the wares. When the beads have cooled, they are washed with an abrasive cleaner to remove all residue of soot and ash. What remains is called Raku.

I really am looking forward to hearing what my subscribers think of the jewelry that was created from these great beads!