Raku: Japanese firing technique

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.’  

Carve letters in wood

Manual carving of text in wood. Nowadays, everything can be done with computers and milling machines. However, manual carving has many more possibilities, allowing you to be more creative with space and dimensions. It has a charm of its own.

We start the workshop with the basic principle of the letter I. Afterwards, you will make a letter of your choice, with straight lines, because round is still too difficult to cut. The letter can be carved into the wood. The other possibility is to cut away the wood around the letter so that the letter lies ‘on’ the wood.

Sculptor Rein Veldboer works mainly with wood. He makes large solid wooden sculptures. He also makes texts in wood and tries to play with the dimensions of letters. He has been teaching sculpting in wood for many years.

Hand-stitch a make-up bag!

Step into the world of a student at the Hout en Meubileringscollege (HMC). During the Creative Craftsman course, students learn to combine the latest techniques with craftsmanship.

The leather pattern parts for the make-up bag are cut out on the laser machine. You choose which leather and which thread color you want to use. During the workshop you will be introduced to hand stitching and learn different decorative stitches. After the workshop you will go home with a hand-stitched make-up bag.

Paper flowers

Elendrea Cachola (Rhea) of Tuindorp Deli-cious is happy to teach visitors from all ages how to make colorful paper flowers.

You can choose to make flowers of different seasons, like tulips, magnolias or a Christmas star. With the shaped flower stalk, they form a cheerful ensemble.

Filipina Rhea connects the four seasons with the life of a woman, and is eager to tell you more about her philosophy.

At the table next to the food stand of Tuindorp Deli-cious at the foodcourt.