Raku & Raku Saggar Workshop: Saturday, May 16, 2026, Hosted by Leon Potgieter – Potterbakker, Koringberg, Swartland
This one-day workshop explores white Raku glaze and Ferric Chloride Saggar firing techniques through structured preparation, carefully paced firings, and shared learning.
The workshop begins on Saturday, 16, at 08:00 and concludes at 18:00 the same day.
Cost: R2500 per person (lunch and snacks included). 8 spaces are available due to health and safety considerations.
For group bookings, please contact me to arrange and confirm availability.
A 50% non-refundable deposit (R1250) is required to secure your booking, with the balance due one week before the workshop.
Payments can be made to the account below. Please use your name as a reference.
Bank name: Standard Bank
Branch name: KENILWORTH CNT
Branch code: 6209
Account holder: HAPTIC ROBOTICS (PTY) LTD
Account number: 10 20 062 522 3
Account type: CURRENT
Please also complete the contact form so I can add you to the correct event database.
Location and Accommodation:
Koringberg is approximately an hour’s drive from Cape Town. Multiple Airbnb options are available in the village, as well as accommodation at the Miriam George Hotel.
Click on the links below for Koringberg accommodation.
Miriam George Hotel Koringberg
Important Information:
All techniques produce non–food-safe, porous work.
Participants may bring 1–3 bisque-fired pieces for Raku firing and 1-3 pieces for Saggar firing
Maximum size for Raku & Saggar works: grapefruit width, 15 cm height x 15 cm width.
Clay must be highly grogged stoneware (approximately minimum 10 percent grog).
White clay bodies are strongly recommended, as results display more clearly than on darker bodies such as terracotta or black clay.
Clay bodies that are smooth and burnished or Terra Sigillata produce the best effects.
Unsuitable work may be excluded to protect other participants’ pieces.
Firings Included (2 firings):
Saggar firing (including Ferric Chloride) and combustibles
Traditional white Raku glaze firing
Participants will be divided into firing groups during raku firings to ensure smooth rotation and safe kiln access.
If you don’t have any work of your own but would like to buy pre-made pieces, I’ll have a few options available on the day of the workshop. Prices will range from R50 to R200 per piece, depending on the size. Please let me know if you would like to use this option for your booking.
Workshop Schedule:
Saturday – May 16, 08:00 - 18:00
08:00 Welcome & orientation
09:30 Preparation of all works
11:30 Staggered Raku firings (2 firings before lunch)
14:30 Lunch
15:30 Raku firing
16:30 Saggar firing
18:00 End of workshop
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Firing / Materials Guide
This guide explains exactly how to prepare your work and what materials are used in each firing.
All firing materials, glazes, chemicals, and additives are provided as part of the workshop.
General Requirements
All work must be bisque-fired.
All results are non–food-safe and porous.
Maximum size per piece: grapefruit width, 15 cm height.
Clay body must be highly grogged stoneware (approximately 10 percent grog).
White clay bodies are strongly recommended.
Each participant may fire a maximum of 1–2 pieces per firing.
Firing and Materials
Saggar Firing (Including Ferric Chloride)
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Materials used: ferric chloride, copper wire, copper carbonate or oxide, salts, steel wool, sawdust, and organic materials.
Surface effects: rust tones, flashing, soft staining, layered atmospheric effects.
Pot preparation: no glaze; burnished or terra sigillata surfaces preferred.
White Raku Glaze Firing
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Surface effects: carbon lines, feather impressions, smoky halos.
Pot preparation: no glaze; highly polished, burnished, or terra sigillata surfaces.
What not to bring
Glazes or chemicals.
Oversized or heavy work.
Functional ware intended for food use.
What to bring
Raku firings, max up to 3 pieces, 15 cm max height 15 cm width.
Bring your own combustibles for Saggar. I am also providing combustibles for the firing: dried banana peel, seaweed, dried fruit, hair, etc.
Clothing and Safety
Closed shoes are mandatory.
Natural-fiber clothing suitable for heat and smoke.
Gloves recommended.
Hair tied back.
Firing groups will be assigned on arrival and remain consistent throughout the weekend.