I wanted to also let you know that even though I don’t make jewelry (at the moment) I do other things where I can use the information from your classes. I make fantasy sculptures of dragons and plan on using the raku technique on one very soon. I will send you a picture when I get it done. I also wanted to thank you for all the marvelous work you and your husband put into these videos.

Sincerely,
Maria

I love those pieces!!! I love your site. As luck would have it, I also collect sea urchins. You are on the list for beach reading, heehee!

You’re right about faux raku not being a new concept. In fact we used to do a faux raku technique using paint on wooden surfaces about 20 years ago, so the idea is definitely not new.

As well there have been a few people to do a raku technique on polymer clay, much like the smooth raku technique I will be showing in the first video. I do believe I bring some new twists to that particular technique however.

As far as the crackle part of my Deep Crackle Faux Raku, unlike the other crackle versions I have seen out there, I don’t use paint or metal leaf at all in my technique, which I am quite sure is unique.

Having done the more standard smooth raku technique, I was inspired by a Real Raku Fish that has very deep cracks in it, that my husband received for a gift years ago. I have always loved that fish and set about experimenting to see if I could recreate the look.

The Deep Crackle Faux Raku technique I developed, came through an adaptation of the smooth technique, combined with a brand new one and lots of trial and error. I am quite sure when you see the technique done, you will agree it is unique!

I don’t know whose precedence it would be as so many artists try out their own thing, but the imitative Raku isn’t really new.

Ellen Marshall has published a crackle technique in her book “Surface Design Recipes” which was contributed by Mona Kissel…Sue Heaser’s book “Encyclopedia of Polymer Clay techniques” does as crackle effect much like this also.

I have done a similar technique with different paints and also call it a ‘crackle technique’ in the April 2008 issue of PolymerCAFE, for which project I used Pinata, pearlex and Tempera paint.

Raku…I published a tutorial in PolymerCAFE (Fall 2003) Raku doesn’t actually have crackle, but is actually a type of pottery that is fired at a relatively low temperature such as in a pitfire or even woodstove. It’s quite fragile, with a burnt look where the patina turns metallic blue, coppers and greens along with black. Many artists would use micaneous iron oxide along with pearlex to achieve this look for polymer clay.

Here’s a picture of my Crackle technique:
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@Adrienne: Thank you for your kind comment! You are of course, very welcome. It will be a pleasure for me to share this technique with you!

@squash: Great comment! I love your passion for polymer clay and am thrilled that you are so excited about it! You are one of the most prolific polymer clay artists I know. You try every technique and produce tons of wonderful jewelry. For you to be so excited makes me very happy inside. So thank YOU!