Marcy Smith is an art teacher and ceramicist from Hoschton, Georgia. She specializes in creating tiny, wheel-thrown raku-fired vases and bowls.
The raku firing process involves heating the piece to a glowing 1800 degrees, then quickly transferring it to a can filled with combustible materials, such as sawdust, paper or dried leaves. The intensely hot pottery ignites the combustibles, creating flames. The cover is quickly placed on the can, and the flames reduce the oxygen inside. The metallic and copper rainbow glaze effect is then created in the oxygen-deprived environment.
The glaze fiish on each ceramic piece is unique, as raku firing produces different dazzling results each time.
Note: The pottery is not food safe, and should be exposed to a limited amount of water.