Acorns have been close to my heart ever since I first saw my mother wearing a gold acorn pendant. The object seemed to stray from traditional jewellery design and have a bit more personality. It was somehow bolder than what could be bought at a mass-market jeweller in a shopping mall. I wanted that same uniqueness in ceramic!
This pendant inspired me to experiment with the concept of acorns in ceramics and I love what I discovered. As usual, the oxides added an element of surprise, as one never really knows what they will do when combined with different glazes. I first painted my acorns in gold oxide and then I wiped most of the oxide off the cap (formally known as the “cupule”) while retaining full painted coverage on the actual nut. I then carefully painted the nut portion with “oil spot brown” glaze. The result, after firing, is a rough textured cap the colour of fired clay and bold crosshatches accentuated by the dark oxide. The actual nut is smooth, shiny and iridescent.
The oak leaves also surprised me a bit. Again, I applied an oxide, but this time it was green. I then wiped most off using a damp sponge so that all that remained were oxide remnants intended to accentuate the leaves’ veins. The leaves were then painted with celadon glaze and the entire piece was fired. I had intended to produce green leaves, but ended up with something more earthy blue through which one can see the fired clay in parts of the leaves. The colours of the leaves compliment the acorns and the piece works together harmoniously.
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