All pieces are handmade by Brian Ohlsen on the wheel, by handbuilding, or a combination of both.
Once trimmed, dried, and fired, they are ready to be glazed.
These glazed pieces are either fired in the electric kiln or in the Raku kiln, depending on the glaze.
Once trimmed, dried, and fired, they are ready to be glazed.
These glazed pieces are either fired in the electric kiln or in the Raku kiln, depending on the glaze.
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The Raku process is quick and exciting.
Pieces are pulled from a red-hot kiln after firing to around 1800º F and placed into a reduction bin.
Combustible material catches fire and the piece interacts with the fire, smoke,
and lack of oxygen to create stunning effects.
Pieces are pulled from a red-hot kiln after firing to around 1800º F and placed into a reduction bin.
Combustible material catches fire and the piece interacts with the fire, smoke,
and lack of oxygen to create stunning effects.
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Kintsugi Process
The Kintsugi process starts by breaking the glazed piece by dropping, hitting, or in this case by thermal shock.
The broken pieces are then mended. Setting them in sand keeps them upright and together while the adhesive sets.
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The tradition Japanese process uses the toxic Urushi lacquer to coat the seams. Brian uses a specially mixed and stronger epoxy in the same manner. Once the seams are coated, they are covered with a fine gold, silver, or brass powder which is imported from Japan.
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Multiple cleaning steps bring out the beauty of the imperfections • "More beautiful for being broken."
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