Exploring Copper Penny Glaze in My Homemade Drum Gas Kiln
After a series of experimental firings, I recently worked with Mayco copper penny glaze in my homemade drum gas kiln during a raku firing, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcomes! The interplay between the green hues and metallic copper shades created a stunning visual contrast that I’m excited to showcase. One key takeaway from this session is the impact of oxygen on the brightness of the copper; to achieve a more vivid finish, I’ll adjust my burn time next time to incorporate less oxygen.
It’s been a particularly rainy season here in New Zealand, so when we finally had a sunny day, it felt like the perfect opportunity to fire up the kiln.
Although I couldn’t find my pyrometer for this firing, I feel I’m improving in judging glaze readiness by observing through the top peephole. I used a torch to illuminate the pieces, helping me check for dissipated bubbles in the glaze that indicate when it’s ready to remove and place in the reduction chamber with combustibles (I use recycled papers and the ash goes in our compost). Overall, the day was productive, and I’m looking forward to applying what I’ve learned in my next firing.
The pieces from this firing will be finished and listed in my gallery soon!
Animal Sculptures by Karen Wilde NZ 