Rockhopper

If there's still any liquid in them, you might be able to use them but, in my experience, re-hydrating dried out acrylics doesn't work.

Thanks for the tips. Already planning to bisque upside down, based on other threads I've seen here about problems with large platters. Haven't decided whether I'm going to try to throw, or use slabs and/or coils... Was thinking about making a wooden ring that I can attach to a piece of plywood to make a form, and use a slab for the bottom and coils for the sides - then attach a foot after it firms up. Hadn't thought about a plaster form and throwing upside-down.

Definitely freezing temps in winter - but will not be left out year-round.

I have an old birdbath base that I'm considering making a new top for, and looking for recommendations for a clay body. I've been using Standard 112 and some Laguna #70 WC611 - but am wondering if maybe I should use something different for a larger, flatter form. My local supplier stocks several of Standard's clays, and some Laguna - and will special-order from either if I'm willing to wait to have it shipped with their next stock order. Would also appreciate any tips - do or don't - from anyone that's made birdbaths or similar outdoor pots.

There are a lot of kiln experts here on the forums. I'm sure one or more will respond - but you'll get the best guidance if you post a couple of pictures - especially one of the name-plate (showing model number) and one of the controls.

In addition to finding out if, or how much, the glaze will run, the test tiles will let you see what the glazes look like without the reduction that takes place in raku process.. There's a good chance that without that step, they're going to look a lot different than expected - and your student may decide they don't like the results well enough to use it on the pieces they originally planned.

Have never tried it, but remember reading somewhere in this forum that skunk hair works quite well. Don't recall who posted it, but they mentioned keeping a bag and gloves in their car, so they could collect such hair from road-kill when the opportunity arose.