Summer Seconds! Miniature rustic raku cottage

My first attempt at creating a miniature rustic raku cottage turned out a bit quirky which is why it has been added to Folksy's 'Perfectly Imperfect' event to make room for some new creations! This rustic cottage has been made using raku clay and the slab-work method. The walls and roof have been cut out and assembled using the "slip" method to secure the pieces together. Once thoroughly dried out it's bisque fired to 1000 - any rough edges are sanded before raku glaze is applied. The smoked blackened area on the roof is a natural feature of the raku firing method. Size: 11.5 cm H x 8 cm W x 3.5 cm D (approx) Raku is a rapid firing technique, adapted from an ancient Japanese firing. A small number of pieces are placed in a small gas fired kiln and fired up to around 1,000c, each piece is then individually taken out of the kiln red hot around 800c and placed in a bin of sawdust, wood shavings or newspaper which instantly combust, the actual finish is then down to careful timing, longer in the air will give bigger heavier crazing, covering quickly leaves areas with no crazing but the crazing itself is very random and this gives each piece its own character. Finally remove pieces and drench in water and leave to cool before cleaning. Self-adhesive cork has been applied to the base to protect surfaces. All my ceramic creations have been individually handcrafted by me with love and care. No two pieces are the same as each one has its own unique characteristics.