We're very excited to introduce our hand crafted lightweight traditional ornaments in a potpourri of styles and colors and textures.
Its been an amazing creative journey, and we couldn't be more pleased with the outcome!
It all starts with good form - hand thrown at the wheel. With a nod towards tradition, Renee threw 4 different styles for us to start with. But they're heavy! Even when thrown hollow as they were. The solution? Slip casting!
This is the process that many ceramics are made - in plaster forms, poured with slip (a thin clay slurry) and allowed to dry a bit in the form to properly setup. The plaster wicks away the moisture - and if you are lucky - it separates from the form easily!
After cleaning up edges with a fettling knife, the ornaments are allowed to dry for a few days then sanded and inspected.
Many are adorned with water resisted calligraphy - backglazed then put into the kiln for a bisque firing to 1900 degrees.
After the firing is complete, they are sanded one more time - and then glazed with many different glazes. Some glossy, some clear. Some crystalline - and Ri's favorite - ash glazes.
At that point, they are ready to go into the kiln for final Cone 9 firing.
We then add the gold mount and collar and voila!