Alternative Kilns & Firing Techniques: Raku * Saggar * Pit * Barrel (A Lark Ceramics Book) (Paperback)

by James C. Watkins (Author), Paul Andrew Wandless (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Ceramicists searching for new ways to fire their creations now have a wealth of options. Authors James Watkins and Paul Wandless, along with a group of distinguished artisans, demonstrate in detail how to build low-cost, low-tech, yet high-quality kilns. The plans range from an easy, affordable, and versatile Raku Kiln to a unique wood-fueled Downdraft Stovepipe Barrel one. These clever devices make it possible to produce rich surface effects from alternative reduction firing techniques. In addition to showing the basic procedures for using each kiln, easy-to-follow directions for many fast-fire methods unfold in color photographs: You’ll see how to achieve terra sigillata surfaces with direct chemical application, and how to do traditional crackle-glaze raku and smoke finishes.

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Product Details Paperback: 128 pages Publisher: Lark Books (September 28, 2006) Language: English ISBN-10: 1579909523 ISBN-13: 978-1579909529 Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #30,872 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in these categories: (What's this?) #1 in  Books > Professional & Technical > Engineering > Materials Science > Ceramics #6 in  Books > Arts & Photography > Other Media > Ceramics #19 in  Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Pottery & Ceramics

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	82% buy the item featured on this page: Alternative Kilns & Firing Techniques: Raku * Saggar * Pit * Barrel (A Lark Ceramics Book) 4.8 out of 5 stars (19) $10.17
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Customer Reviews

19 Reviews 5 star:  (16) 4 star:  (2) 3 star:  (1) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.8 out of 5 stars (19 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 48 of 48 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars emphasis on firing techniques, not kilns, July 21, 2005 By  Book Fan (California) - See all my reviews This review is from: Alternative Kilns & Firing Techniques: Raku * Saggar * Pit * Barrel (A Lark Ceramics Book) (Hardcover) This is a very worthwhile and contentful book, just not what it seemed from the brief desciption. Hopefully this clarification is helpful to others: This book's editorial description, along with the title, seem to suggest that its focus is in how to create various homemade ad hoc kilns (for those that don't have ready access to a kiln already). It talks about kiln building, and never uses the word raku. Basically, however, this is a raku book, with lots of interesting variations. "Barrel" and "pit" kilns (mentioned in the subtitle) turn out to be just more forms of raku, rather than new kinds of homemade kilns. It contains many creative firing ideas with wonderful results, generously shared by a number of contributors. Along the way, of course, they do tell you how to put together firing chambers for these firing techniques. So it does provide some alternative kiln construction guidance with variations, but not the quantity I was expecting. And the firing techniques were an unexpected bonus. In style, this is a thin "coffee-table book" - lots of great photos, widely set lines of type, artistic white space. But the content is fascinating and invaluable to anyone who wants to do firings that are more interesting than simply closing the door and turning on the heat. Initially, I was disappointed when I saw how the content of the book was padded out with white space, but after I started reading I realized how much great information was in it. I would like to see much more expanded content (not counting the gallery & appendices, it is 89 pages). However, this does provide plenty of ideas to try for quite some while. I just need to find a different alternnative kiln book for when I'm not doing raku style firings. (The publisher could really help out here, by giving the table of contents, which really does give an accurate idea of the book content). 34 of 37 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!, April 12, 2004 By  R. BOGLE (Huntingtown, MD USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    This review is from: Alternative Kilns & Firing Techniques: Raku * Saggar * Pit * Barrel (A Lark Ceramics Book) (Hardcover) I just received this book and it is absolutely one of the best Raku books going! It is well laid out with many high quality pictures showing the technique or concept being presented. Covers much more than raku with many other firing techniques. Has a fantastic picture gallery with fine examples of pieces created with the techniques in the book and a glaze recipe section with references back to the pieces the recipes were used on. A must have for anyone interested in raku or any of the related firing techniques! 15 of 17 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Alternative Firing Techniques, August 9, 2005 By  claydude (Rocklin, CA USA) - See all my reviews This review is from: Alternative Kilns & Firing Techniques: Raku * Saggar * Pit * Barrel (A Lark Ceramics Book) (Hardcover) What a wonderful book. As a ceramic sculptor, I appreciate the Raku, Pit, Barrel and Saggar firing methods. It gives one enough of the technical details of the how-to's of each of the firing methods (and how to build a raku kiln, and barrel and pit kilns) to get one started. It also "fires" up one's imagination to expand the contents of the book and to push your work to another level. This book presents beautiful examples of what "Alternative Firing Techniques" can produce.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Very easy to understand This book was very important to me and my ceramics classes. I live in a country where is too difficult to find books and magazines about ceramics and craft art as well. Read more Published 23 days ago by Elisabeth Marie 5.0 out of 5 stars Alternative Kilns and Firing Great book, arrived in a speedy manner and in wonderful condition. Thanks for a wonderful transaction. Published 1 month ago by S. Cooler 5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Book This is a wonderful book for anyone interested in the state-of-the-art regarding raku and other post-firing reduction techniques. Read more Published 2 months ago by Carl W. Powers 5.0 out of 5 stars Alt.Kilns & Firing Techniques I found this book to be excellent. Very inspiring and profuse illustrations, and a wide range of firing techniques are presented, with very specific details. Read more Published 4 months ago by Crone Potter 5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Terkel These are classic Terkel interviews with some of the great minds of the human experience. I was looking, specifically, for the interviews with depression era subjects. Read more Published 5 months ago by Scott M. Anstett 5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book The book was delivered quickly and was the perfect Yule Gift. My partner LOVED it and in fact we will be firing pottery in our back yard this month. Thanks Published 6 months ago by Rogue 5.0 out of 5 stars comprihensive covers everything from building your own raku and barrel kilns to glaze recipes to firing pieces in many styles with a lot of photos covering the steps. Read more Published 7 months ago by Clay Pigeon 5.0 out of 5 stars Alternative Kilns review I was so excited to get this book. It was exactly what I had been looking for. The techniques are easily explained so even a novice like me can understand. Read more Published 7 months ago by Carol L. Gerster 5.0 out of 5 stars Alternative Kilns & Firing Techniques: Raku * Saggar * Pit * Barrel (A Lark Ceramics Book) This book is awesome! I have learned fso much more about Raku and other techniques! Can't wait till the spring when we can fire out doors! Published 8 months ago by L. Connery 5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic! I am so glad I bought this book! It has so many illustrations and gives clear and easy to understand directions on how to build different types of kilns. Read more Published 12 months ago by Carole L. Martin Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Lark Books (September 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579909523
• ISBN-13: 978-1579909529
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #30,872 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #1 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Engineering > Materials Science > Ceramics
  #6 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Other Media > Ceramics
  #19 in	Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Pottery & Ceramics

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars emphasis on firing techniques, not kilns, July 21, 2005

By	Book Fan (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alternative Kilns & Firing Techniques: Raku * Saggar * Pit * Barrel (A Lark Ceramics Book) (Hardcover)

This is a very worthwhile and contentful book, just not what it seemed from the brief desciption. Hopefully this clarification is helpful to others:

This book's editorial description, along with the title, seem to suggest that its focus is in how to create various homemade ad hoc kilns (for those that don't have ready access to a kiln already). It talks about kiln building, and never uses the word raku.

Basically, however, this is a raku book, with lots of interesting variations. "Barrel" and "pit" kilns (mentioned in the subtitle) turn out to be just more forms of raku, rather than new kinds of homemade kilns. It contains many creative firing ideas with wonderful results, generously shared by a number of contributors. Along the way, of course, they do tell you how to put together firing chambers for these firing techniques. So it does provide some alternative kiln construction guidance with variations, but not the quantity I was expecting. And the firing techniques were an unexpected bonus.

In style, this is a thin "coffee-table book" - lots of great photos, widely set lines of type, artistic white space. But the content is fascinating and invaluable to anyone who wants to do firings that are more interesting than simply closing the door and turning on the heat. Initially, I was disappointed when I saw how the content of the book was padded out with white space, but after I started reading I realized how much great information was in it.

I would like to see much more expanded content (not counting the gallery & appendices, it is 89 pages). However, this does provide plenty of ideas to try for quite some while. I just need to find a different alternnative kiln book for when I'm not doing raku style firings. (The publisher could really help out here, by giving the table of contents, which really does give an accurate idea of the book content).

34 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!, April 12, 2004

By	R. BOGLE (Huntingtown, MD USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Alternative Kilns & Firing Techniques: Raku * Saggar * Pit * Barrel (A Lark Ceramics Book) (Hardcover)

I just received this book and it is absolutely one of the best Raku books going! It is well laid out with many high quality pictures showing the technique or concept being presented. Covers much more than raku with many other firing techniques. Has a fantastic picture gallery with fine examples of pieces created with the techniques in the book and a glaze recipe section with references back to the pieces the recipes were used on.

A must have for anyone interested in raku or any of the related firing techniques!

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Alternative Firing Techniques, August 9, 2005

By	claydude (Rocklin, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alternative Kilns & Firing Techniques: Raku * Saggar * Pit * Barrel (A Lark Ceramics Book) (Hardcover)

What a wonderful book. As a ceramic sculptor, I appreciate the Raku, Pit, Barrel and Saggar firing methods. It gives one enough of the technical details of the how-to's of each of the firing methods (and how to build a raku kiln, and barrel and pit kilns) to get one started. It also "fires" up one's imagination to expand the contents of the book and to push your work to another level. This book presents beautiful examples of what "Alternative Firing Techniques" can produce.