Alternatives to raku pottery?

if you want to make functional pottery you will to have to get it fired. Usually there are places where you can get your clay fired for a fee. Most people who do pottery don't do enough of it to make it worth while to have a kiln. It also requires some knowledge to run a kiln. Why don't you check whether there are any places in your area which have either an electric kiln or a raku kiln. If there is only an electric kiln there are some glazes which can mimic at least some aspects of raku.