Add rice-bran to the clay, let it sit till gets moldy and smelling a bit like funky sake. Then make your pieces — it will dry very hard, and cats love it: http://www.anagama-west.com/photogallery/main.php/v/seventh_firing/IMG_1952.jpg.html so keep the pieces safe. After baking, it might be durable enough to do something with.

– “pit fire” in a barbecue. The ware will likely be black. If you use one of those steel charcoal starters that look a bit like a stovepipe, you can fill it with charcoal and put your piece in the center. With some experimentation, you can get jet black low fired ware.

– Do a real pit fire (google “pit firing”) or try a paper kiln: http://www.anagama-west.com/firing_log/archives/17

– get or build a raku kiln ($250-500: easiest way is with a metal garbage can, refractory fiber, weed burner, and portable propane tank — 20 pound is OK, 40 pound is better because it freezes less): http://www.anagama-west.com/firing_log/archives/80

– search around for a used electric kiln — typically $300 – $1000 depending on quality and size.