Raku firing is an originally Japanese firing technique in which the glaze of a piece of work crackles. The crackle is coloured black by a smoking process.  

The ceramic piece is first fired and then glazed. It is fired outside in a gas oven very quickly to 950 degrees. The piece is removed from the oven and exposed to the outside air. The rapid cooling causes the glaze to crackle. The workpiece is then placed in a barrel with sawdust. The sawdust ignites and produces smoke. The smoke soaks into the crackle. The interplay of wood, fire, water and oxygen produces spectacular results.  

During this workshop, you will learn about ceramics in general. You will learn to glaze a selected biscuit-fired ceramic work. You attend the 45-minute raku firing process, which takes place outside the building in a gas-fired oven. You clean your work and the spectacular colours and craquelé become visible under your hands. Your work goes straight home with you.  

Years ago, Danielle van Assema became inspired by the fascinating raku process, an artistic form that results in unique creations every time. Just like life itself, which is also unique in its outcome. Even without experience or the belief that you are not creative, you can create something special with this firing art. ‘It is an amazing experience for me to guide this process. Working with fire brings excitement and inspiration.’