Sagar Firing
One bare clay process that I have not done previous to this workshop is sagar firing. This week I got my chance and I really like the results. It is a little bit of work because it's essentially firing your pots inside a couple of other pots. This means you have to throw two pieces that are large enough to encase your primary piece. That seems like sacrificing two perfectly good bowls to me. Especially since the sagar firing does eventually cause cracks in the sagar.
The thing is, the pots are beautiful.
We filled the bottom of the sagar with wood chips, added some copper carbonate mixed with salt around the edge (it should not touch the pot) then topped the pots with a little bit of course steal wool.
The pots were fired according to a firing schedule that brings them up to 1600 degrees in about 24 minutes then we held the kiln between 1600 and 1700 for 20 minutes. The hard part is staying away from the kiln long enough for the sagars to cool down enough to touch safely.
The results are colors of shiny black to grey to white with beautiful oranges. I imagine you could play with stuff and get different colors but these look gorgeous together.
It was after dark when I took my pot out of the sagar so I was unable to get a good picture. I'll post something soon.
Have you been to Mudcolony today?
Check out the gallery page - Future Relics Gallery by Lori Buff
The thing is, the pots are beautiful.
We filled the bottom of the sagar with wood chips, added some copper carbonate mixed with salt around the edge (it should not touch the pot) then topped the pots with a little bit of course steal wool.
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| Sagar Firing, Notice the Crack |
The pots were fired according to a firing schedule that brings them up to 1600 degrees in about 24 minutes then we held the kiln between 1600 and 1700 for 20 minutes. The hard part is staying away from the kiln long enough for the sagars to cool down enough to touch safely.
The results are colors of shiny black to grey to white with beautiful oranges. I imagine you could play with stuff and get different colors but these look gorgeous together.
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| After Sagar Firing |
Have you been to Mudcolony today?
Check out the gallery page - Future Relics Gallery by Lori Buff
Lori, if you don't want to sacrifice your clay, you can use heavy duty aluminum foil much the same way, I have had very good success with this method. Also I have used stuff from the garden supply stores that produce interesting colors.
ReplyDeleteGood to know Tracey, I'll try that when I get home.
DeleteOH MY Goodness, beautiful indeed!
ReplyDeleteThanks Gary
DeleteVery interesting results. Hope you're having a great time.
ReplyDeleteWe've gotten some really pretty pots Sue. And everyone is having a great time.
DeleteHey- are you having fun!? Those looks great!
ReplyDeleteI've had a blast. Thanks
DeleteBeautiful pots. Looks like fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks, it's been a lot of fun.
DeleteI've also heard just using terracotta garden pots with their bases as lids works well. And maybe old tins, like big paint tins (cleaned well first)? Your pots look lovely.
ReplyDeleteI've heard the same, you just need to be certain the pots don't have any resin or plastic in them. This has happened, thankfully not to me.
Delete*o* .... Oooh...very very beautifuls pots !!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lenore
Deleteoh the pots turned out wonderful, do you also have a cover for the saggar?
ReplyDeleteYes Linda, each saggar container is made up of a top and bottom. It's like a pit fire inside the kiln only without all that flame.
DeleteHi Lorraine, welcome to the blog. You're barrel firing article was fun.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lorraine
ReplyDelete