Sometimes, you need a tiny vase with small mushrooms on it. Why? Because your life deserves more whimsy, that’s why! These tiny fellows are produced in batches because they start off as one large lump of clay, between three and five pounds usually. They are thrown off the larger hump of clay one handful at a time, usually smallest to largest. After each form has set, it is inverted on the potter’s wheel so that a foot ring can be carved in. Small mushroom fruiting bodies are sculpted and added by hand, with the occasional patch of moss, then the pieces are left to dry slowly over several days before the first (bisque) firing.
After the first round of baking in the kiln the pieces are stone-like but still porous. So, glazes are applied first to the mushroom fruiting bodies and moss, which are then protected with a wax resist that is brushed on. Each piece gets dunked into its main glaze, which then slides off the wax resist, which itself will burn away to reveal the mushrooms’ bright colors during the final (glaze) firing.
The entire process results in a totally unique piece that makes a good gift for that mushroom loving, amateur or professional mycologist in your circle. We all know at least one, right? And if you don’t have a mushroom loving friend and find yourself here, let me be the first to tell you: it’s you. You’re the mushroom loving friend. Treat yourself! And support a small handmade business owner in the process.
Production takes six to eight weeks. Large vases are between 5 and 6 inches, medium between 3 and 4 inches, and small are between 1.5 inches and 3 inches tall. Signed and dated (year only) on the bottom by yours truly.
Sometimes, you need a tiny vase with small mushrooms on it. Why? Because your life deserves more whimsy, that’s why! These tiny fellows are produced in batches because they start off as one large lump of clay, between three and five pounds usually. They are thrown off the larger hump of clay one handful at a time, usually smallest to largest. After each form has set, it is inverted on the potter’s wheel so that a foot ring can be carved in. Small mushroom fruiting bodies are sculpted and added by hand, with the occasional patch of moss, then the pieces are left to dry slowly over several days before the first (bisque) firing.
After the first round of baking in the kiln the pieces are stone-like but still porous. So, glazes are applied first to the mushroom fruiting bodies and moss, which are then protected with a wax resist that is brushed on. Each piece gets dunked into its main glaze, which then slides off the wax resist, which itself will burn away to reveal the mushrooms’ bright colors during the final (glaze) firing.
The entire process results in a totally unique piece that makes a good gift for that mushroom loving, amateur or professional mycologist in your circle. We all know at least one, right? And if you don’t have a mushroom loving friend and find yourself here, let me be the first to tell you: it’s you. You’re the mushroom loving friend. Treat yourself! And support a small handmade business owner in the process.
Production takes six to eight weeks. Large vases are between 5 and 6 inches, medium between 3 and 4 inches, and small are between 1.5 inches and 3 inches tall. Signed and dated (year only) on the bottom by yours truly.
