Well, if you want to get technical, the frit actually is a reduction
color, which means that it's subject to the identical chemical process
as what you find in raku glazes on pottery, which are, fundamentally,
metal-oxide-loaded ground glass.

If you took a powder of this glass and mixed it into a glaze base,
applied it to a clay pot and fired it in a heavily reducing atmosphere,
you would, in fact, have raku.

To be completely fair, "raku" itself means "joy", and and was at one
time the name of a family who produced raku pottery for several
generations... and they first named the pottery, and then themselves,
after a *house*. (The House of Joy? Oh my...) Originally raku pottery
was simply known as "Modern" or "New Style" pottery.

OK, now kick me for being a smarty-pants... but my point is, you can't
get too picky about what something is named for, because it's unlikely
that any one process or technique originated a word or name. For the
most part, the name was borrowed from somewhere else to begin with, and
the new technique or product probably has something in common with the
original, to warrant the reference.

-Kalera
http://www.beadwife.com
http://www.snipurl.com/kebay


Christina Peterson wrote:
Much better. Especially because it is educational, which is the correct
response to ignorance. It should be kept in mind, that this could be a
potential customer. I have to say, I too thought "raku" was an incorrect
description when I first heard it. It still irks me slightly that the word
for a process is being applied to describe a color of frit.

Tina


"Kalera Stratton" wrote in message
...

Heh, welcome to the wondrous world of bead selling!

Were I you, instead of sending that reply, I would send something more
briefly condescending, yet utterly, cheerfully deadpan. Especially if
they made it a publicly viewable question. Something like:

Thank you for your comment! In fact, there are a number of terms used in
glass that have crossed craft boundaries. I'm sure that as you become
more familiar with the medium, you will encounter many more. Please
never hesitate to ask if you find yourself confused about terminology!
Take care."

-Kalera
http://www.beadwife.com
http://www.snipurl.com/kebay


*~candygrrl~* wrote:

Well, I must have arrived! I've gotten my first rude "question from a
member" on Ebay! I feel so honored, LOL!

Actually it wasn't a question so much as a brief comment. And I quote:
"Raku is a clay process not glass!!!!!!!!" (Please note the severe
overuse of the exclamation point) That's it. Well, hm. I'm perfectly
aware of that, you D.A., thanks for nothing! :P

Here's my response - which I haven't sent off yet, as I'm trying to
bite my tongue, virtually speaking...

"Well, for your information, I am fully aware that raku is also a clay
process, since I ALSO make clay beads. The name of the GLASS frit that
I used on that set of beads is called "Raku Jitterbug" and most
lampwork bead buyers are familiar with this fact. So the name of my
bead set happens to be completely accurate. At last search, 59 other
beadmakers also used Raku in the names for their beads. Did they all
get the same scathing comment or am I the lucky one today??

In addition, if I want to name my beads Raku, Terra Cotta, Crackle,
Stoneware, Earthenware, Porcelain, or Solid Gold Wrapped In a Hundred
Dollar Bill I am perfectly free to do so. Please find a better way to
use your time."

Grumble grumble grump! Someone tell me not to send that, or I'm
gonna...

Deux Candace