Steve Sanders Raku

03/17/2026

Star Jar Urn Vases completed and destined for a Copper Matt firing

03/17/2026

03/17/2026

I HEREBY DECLARE THAT I DO NOT GIVE MY PERMISSION FOR FACEBOOK OR META TO USE ANY OF MY PERSONAL DATA

03/15/2026

A story about the caring of a doctor with a huge heart... From CBS Sunday morning today

When True, a five-year-old under the care of social services, was dropped off for heart surgery at Children's Nebraska, an Omaha children's hospital, anesthe...

03/15/2026

Spring has sprung here in Northern California so it was time to start throwing new pots for new Copper Matt firings

02/26/2026

Upcoming Sonoma County Open Studio Shows 2026
Art At The Source 2026. June 6 & 7 and 13 & 14
Art Trails 2026 (42nd year) . October 10 & 11 and 17 & 18

11/28/2025

Since I made a video for her sister, this Empress deserved to be featured also. I had mentioned previously, I made 8 of these vases, and in the Copper Matte technique, only two worked well enough to keep. Only another Copper Matte potter understands how difficult this shape is, at this size, to be blessed with this kind of clean colour reaction. 15.5 x 7.5. (Make sure the music is on, for the video... and life)

11/15/2025

I thought I’d appropriate a line from Rumi’s poem, “ The Song of the Reed”…
“Twas the flame of love that fired me, the wine of love inspired me”

I love when either the colors or patterns that emerge remind me of the “Flame”

11/14/2025

Always keep an eye on what’s going on around you.

11/10/2025

FACEBOOK 2025 Holiday DISCOUNT:
Because you're a Follower of my page or a fan of my work, please enjoy a 25% Holiday Discount on all orders placed by December 31, 2025.
To receive your 25% 2025 Holiday discount, use the code WZXNQL2 at my website:

Sanders Raku offers hand-made Raku pottery in a variety of styles, including Saggar, color and crackle Raku, copper matte, opalescence, luster, and one of our specialties, the Jewels of Atlantis.

11/10/2025

Here's an example of the Paul Soldner Gerstley Borate 80% and Nepheline Synite 20% white crackle glaze. It's really a clear glaze, but it looks white due to the clay body used. Can always use 1-2% Tin Oxide for an even whiter look. Cheers

11/10/2025

White crackle Raku glaze information. I had realized that I was very late in responding to someone regarding non-Gerstly Borate Raku crackle glaze recipes. So I took a little time to respond and thought I'd share the information in case it's helpful to anyone other Raku potters who are followers. So here goes: GLAZE 1: Frit 3134 72.2, Nepheline 16.7, Tin Ox. 13, OM4, 5.5, silica 5.5 GLAZE 2: Frit 3124 90, and EPK 10 (apply thick) GLAZE 3: Frit 3110 47, Frit 3124 29, Lithium carb 12, silica,10, Bentonite 2. GLAZE 4: any high alkaline Frit 80, Nepheline syenite 20, Tin oxide 10. Personally, I use Gerstley Borate, which I have no issues with sourcing, where I live in Santa Rosa, CA

(Creative Ceramics and Glass). - I have always used Paul Soldner's original Gerstley 80, Nepheline 20 formula, and I particularly like the crackle I get from it. Also, Gerstley glazes can be brushed. Frit-based glazes are much harder to brush. I would either spray or dip Frit-based crackle glazes. Here are 2 additional recipes I have used as turquoise glazes, but simply omit the copper carbonate, and it is then a clear glaze. To have a nice white crackle, it's also important to use a clay that fires to a whiter bisque. I use a Laguna product called WSO (and always have used it as my Raku clay). Here are the 2 additional recipes that I have used for a turquoise crackle: Frit 3269 42.5, Frit 3134 27.5, Lithium carb 9.8, EPK 6.3, Silica 14, Bentonite 2, and for Turquoise, add Copper Carb 2.5 - 4 depending on the density of color desired. and lastly... Frit 3134 80, Nepheline 20, Tin 1, and for turquoise, add Copper Carbonate 2. (If I remember this glaze creates a large crackle rather than smaller, diverse crackles. With Frit glazes, I again would recommend spraying (best) or dipping. With some frit glazes, if you use a colorant, whether copper carbonate or stains, if you don't spray or dip, you can get uneven color on the vase. GOOD LUCK...Hope this helps.