Obvara Firing with Edge Barnes

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Obvara is a dramatic and exciting alternative firing technique! Like Raku it is a very fast process. Obvara, sometimes called Baltic Raku, is an Eastern European firing technique originated in the Baltic region. The hot (1650 degree) piece of pottery is taken out of the kiln and quickly immersed into a fermented liquid, made with water, flour, yeast, and sugar. The surface of the pot is scalded, leaving a wonderful variation of color from creamy tans, to browns and black. As with other low temperature alternative firings obvara pieces are purely decorative and not to be used with food or water.

What to Bring:

Bring your lunch. We will cycle the kiln (15-20 minutes/cycle) throughout the day. Eat your lunch on the fly. You will have sufficient time as there will be only 2-3 pieces in each cycle.

Bring a chair. This process involves lots of waiting.

Bring up to 10 bisqued pots. Size 4"-6" diameter, up to 10" tall. No Plates. (the firing chamber is not large). Anything that will not easily fit into a 5 gallon bucket will not be fired.

Forms should be basic without frill, fragile attachments. They should be designed to be easily picked up with raku tongs. Thrown pieces of fairly even thickness work well. Hand built pieces require good joining technique. Pieces with extremes of thick/thin fragile  & hand-built work tends to break or crack.

Pieces may be smooth or textured. Stains or underglaze applied before bisque firing can add color to a basic tan to black patterning of the process.

Safety

Since we are working around very high temps, cotton clothing, long sleeves, jeans, and

closed toe shoes are a must!

Tools

All tools will be provided. If you have welding gloves and would like to bring them, feel

free. Make sure to wear cotton clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty,