Using a Saggar

 A Saggar is a clay box that is made to go inside a  kiln.I made one ( you will be able to see it below)because I wanted to be able to put my pinch pots in the kiln with seaweed that had been washed up along the river Thames.Unfortunately,burning seaweed at high temperature can produce cyanide gas and so after speaking to two experts ,Fred Gatley and Basil Olton they suggested that one way around this would be using a saggar.So,here are a selection of pinch pots that I made.They were fired before putting them in the saggar with the different materials.

 

My first attempt with seaweed didn't seem to have much effect;I may have used too little in case I poisoned everyone in the area.You may be able to see slight marks on the pots .for my next attempt I  added my remaining seaweed with local wildflowers and pieces of charcoal which were remains of our old garden shed.

                                                                              Before

                                                                              After

This final picture was taken while they were still hot and so the lid was put back on and I have to wait and see if it has been successful.