CHLORIDES







The tea bowls you see here were all sprayed with Ferric Chloride and/or Stannous Chloride and if you look closely you can see the White Crackle glaze beneath as the base.
This may be the most toxic way to achieve a particular 'look' but as I mentioned at the very  beginning, I've tried everything and if you have the same hunger to see what can happen read on! 
The chlorides are available at chemical stores and are mixed with distilled water. The proportions need to be tested (by you) for the results you want and will like.
You'll need a respirator, safety glasses,air compressor with painting attachment and heavy rubber gloves.

The bisque is covered in White Crackle and fired to 1750F-1800F. It's removed from the kiln with tongs heading for the post-firing buckets, but before that it's sprayed with a solution of either ferric chloride  for a golden yellow effect or stannous chloride for a mother of pearl effect, with an air compressor (use the painting container that's usually part of the kit). You are wearing a respirator, gloves and safety glasses .Spray the entire piece, inside and out and place into the bucket with lid on until cool.
The surface effect will be very stable and washable, unchanging over time, but as in most western Raku, is not food safe.
Other chemicals to try are nickle sulfate, copper sulfate, lithium carbonate, and borax.
In Pit Firing you can try banana peels, sea weed, charcoal briquettes, mothballs, steel wool pads, and soda ash. It's not my particular interest to pit fire or use horse hair...because anyone can do it and so what????
 

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