Pit firing is an ancient tradition of low-fired pottery.  No glazes are used; the colors and patterns are the result of the type of clay, the burnishing of the pot's surface and the combination of materials used in the firing. Items can be made on a wheel or by hand, burnished with a smooth, tumbled stone until a glossy surface is achieved, and then bisque fired at a very low temperature.  Pit fires are often done at the beach where the items are placed on a bed of sawdust sprinkled with seaweed or other color-producing materials, then covered with dry cow dung and mixed woods.

Raku is a traditional Japanese firing process dating back to the beginning of the 16th century. The firing technique involves a very rapid heating and cooling of the pieces. Each piece is bisque fired to prepare it for glazing. The glazed or unglazed pieces are then placed in a kiln and fired to a temperature of 1500-1800 degrees Farenheit. While the glaze is still molten and glowing hot the pieces are removed from the kiln with tongs and placed into a container full of combustible materials (like newspaper, straw, leaves or sawdust). After igniting, a lid is placed on the container starving the oxygen from the atmosphere and reducing the glazes to dramatic metallic or crackle finishes.