Hummingbird ceramic dish with real gold, satisfying pottery process #vuvuceramics #pottery #clayart

The process for this hummingbird jewelry holder dish is described below. Does uncertainty give you anxiety? It doesn’t have to- and perhaps there’s a very positive way to look at uncertainty- it can mean anything is possible. Being ok with uncertainty is not easy- because it’s being ok with not knowing. And usually it’s hard to let go of expectations. I get regular practice with this every single time I load a kiln full of artwork and start a firing. With creating pottery, the kiln firing is a 24-36 hour period where everything you’ve worked so hard on is being heated to over 2200F (1200C), cooling back down, and the final outcome is out of your control. It’s a step that makes ceramics different from other arts - you really let go of part of the process. The pieces become red hot, and the clay and glazes are physically and chemically transforming. If I held tight to expectations of exactly how the pieces turn out, it would definitely result in quite a bit of worry and stress - and perhaps even disappointment if the outcome was different than what I’d set my heart on. There’s really no upside to becoming attached to those expectations. When I start a firing I let go of all expectation. What is there when you let go if expectation? Curiosity. I usually think “I wonder what will be in the kiln when I open it!” Suddenly the worry is gone and replaced by excitement- opening the kiln becomes like opening gifts (You can apply curiosity to almost anything that usually gives you anxiety - you may transform that worry into wonder) In this ceramic jewelry dish, I have sculpted a tiny hummingbird among ground morning glory. Hummingbirds are a beautiful symbol of positivity, joy, and freedom. They sparkle with light as they dart around gardens like tiny fairies. This ceramic dish is made from smooth porcelain-like stoneware clay, dried, bisque fired, glazed, and kiln-fired once more at approximately 2200F. The glaze is a glossy warm white with the beauty of a kiln-fired pottery, showing off the intricate detail of the handpainted flowers. Real 22kt gold is applied to the flowers and to the hummingbird ((it looks red before the kiln firing) #ceramics #positivity #hummingbird