Shards At any stage of the creation of a bowl, plate, wall hanging or sculpture there is the potential to become shards. Cracking or splitting can occur during drying or bisque which is the first firing or the final firing. Raku is particularly finicky in that there is a high failure rate. A piece might crack in the kiln or in the reduction chamber. Thermo shock is a big factor. Top photo shows that shattered bowl on the bottom of the kiln. Notice that there is another sitting on top of fragments unharmed. | 
