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Union Square & Co.

Alternative Kilns & Firing Techniques: Raku * Saggar * Pit * Barrel (A Lark Ceramics Book): Watkins, James C., Wandless, Paul Andrew: 9781579909529

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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. Read more

Publisher ‏ ‎: Union Square & Co.


Publication date ‏ ‎: September 28, 2006


Edition ‏ ‎: Lark Ceramics Books


Language ‏ ‎: English


Print length ‏ ‎: 128 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ ‎: 1579909523


ISBN-13 ‏ ‎: 978-1579909529


Item Weight ‏ ‎: 1.22 pounds


Dimensions ‏ ‎: 8.5 x 0.45 x 11 inches


Part of series ‏ ‎: A Lark Ceramics Book


Best Sellers Rank: #128,658 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #33 in Pottery & Ceramic Craft (Books) #843 in How-to & Home Improvements #9,894 in Arts & Photography (Books)


Customer Reviews: 4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • Fantastic step by step instructions
Format: Paperback
This is a good book! I wouldn't say it's a book for a true beginner (I mean, someone who wants to do pottery at home but has never fired a piece). It's not intended to show you how to fire a piece at home because you don't have a kiln. That's not how pottery works. It is a great "how to" book to walk you through Raku, Sagger, pit and barrel firing. It gives material lists and step by step instructions. It's easy to read and follow and doesn't spend half the book explaining how ancient civilizations made pottery (though it does briefly explain some history). Great job James C. Watkins and Paul Andrew Wandless for a good, and relevant book! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2021 by ashley lee
    • Good information and tutorials! Good information and tutorials!
Format: Paperback
Review Image by Amazonuser0987654321
Great and informative book! Most of the Pottery books out there are for beginners, unless it's a glaze recipe book. This one has practical advice and tutorials on how to build alternative outdoor kilns to fire your work. I was lucky enough to go to a workshop and fire some gorgeous Pots under the tutelage of someone who's done it many times before, and looking to create create the same atmosphere for myself I ordered this book, and it's got all the Information I was looking for. I highly recommend this to someone who is looking to expand their process from the electric kiln. Posted is a photo of one my pots made with one of the processes explained in book. You can find this pot on Etsy if you look for me ;) ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2017 Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2017 by Amazonuser0987654321
    • If you ever wanted to get back into ceramics on a shoe string. . .This is the book
Format: Paperback
I haven't done ceramics for decades because of the high cost of the equipment needed. I had a wheel given to me by a friend, but without a kiln I wasn't able to do a thing. This book goes into a number of traditional kiln alternatives that blew me away. Some use old 55 gallon drums others cover pit firing. There is also a great tutorial on Terra Sig. How to make it, burnish it and fire it. Also included are a number of high quality photos of the authors work as well as other contributors. I have read this book and perused it pages 10 times and still I learn something new and valuable with each reading. Well worth the money. Five Stars and a sixth if it were posible. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2012 by TD HANSON
    • emphasis on firing techniques, not kilns
Format: 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). ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2005 by Gadget Fan
    • A great deal of useful information for a beginner
Format: Paperback
I'm just a beginner, but I know which direction I want to go when it comes to throwing pottery. This book is exactly what I was looking for! It provides me with a solid knowledge base that allows me to improve my skill. The book is well written and provides many illustrations and photos of techniques being applied. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2020 by Bellevue Dave
    • Book content Is EXCELLENT_Beware of Book condition
Format: Paperback
Using simple judgement, this book was likely used, or had been sitting around in a shipping truck for a long time. Initially, I thought it a result of being shipped in a box with a couple of other books, 1-vitamin bottle and ABSOLUTELY NO packaging to minimize ship and shake wear. Two corners were curled--which seems the reult of no pkg--but the cover to cover skuffing would be more related to being a used item. One shipment, even w/o pkg, wouldn't have caused this level of wear. No proof, but judgement based in SIMPLE judgement. Shame of AMZN for trying to sneak. Item returned and replacement w/o ANY such skuffs. 5 stars based on book content, only. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2024 by Ripabo
    • Excellent for sny wanting to learn
Format: Paperback
Clear instructions for anyone wanting to try these techniques. I attended a workshop by Don and Randy, used these methods and it matched the book.
Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2024 by ms hummingbird
    • come one, come all: explore the world of clay.
Format: Paperback
this book would appeal to all ages and levels of experience. universal appeal 4 sure.
Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2025 by matthew a brown

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