Sweet Happy Accidents

You know, even with the most meticulous plans, there are moments when things simply don't fall into place.

At the greenware stage, it appeared as just another piece of pottery, brimming with potential. I harbored a distinct vision for this vase.

The Preparation

The concept for this particular piece revolved around a persimmon-colored base adorned with a layer of Black Crawl or craquelure glaze. The idea of envisioning the persimmon reds subtly emerging through the cracks of the black crawl glaze was indeed captivating. Below is what it looked like before firing, with the glazes applied. It may come as a surprise, but glazes can appear very different in color before they are fired. Despite any initial concerns, I wasn't worried about the outcome.

The Happy Accident vase after the application of the Pomegranate and Black Crawl glazes and before firing

Waiting

I placed the vase in the kiln and waited patiently as it underwent the day-long firing process. I held onto hope that its current brown hue would transform into something truly remarkable.

Unfortunately, the outcome fell short of my expectations. While the colors were as intended, the crackling effect, which had captivated me in previous works, didn't quite manifest as hoped.

Unfortunately, the outcome fell short of my expectations.

The Outcome & a Decision

The outcome was vastly different from what I had envisioned. The crackling effect failed to materialize anywhere close to my expectations. Faced with a decision, I debated between discarding the piece or attempting another approach. Opting for the latter, I resolved to apply an additional layer of glaze. The glaze is called, Magenta sky. It is a rich, dark red in color when fired. To prepare, I meticulously sanded the surface with sandpaper before proceeding with the application of the new glaze.

The addition of another layer of glaze.

Waiting

Once more, I found myself in a state of anticipation, hopeful for a better outcome. However, this time, I approached it with an open mind, devoid of any preconceived expectations. I left the fate of the vase entirely to chance, embracing whatever result would unfold after another day in the kiln.

The final firing

After the waiting period, I made a disheartening discovery—the glaze had flowed, seeping underneath the vase and adhering it firmly to the kiln shelf. This situation posed a risk of losing either the kiln shelf or the piece itself. Miraculously, I managed to salvage both without any breakage, albeit with some difficulty. Utilizing a router, I painstakingly ground off the majority of the glaze that had encroached underneath. While traces of the glaze still linger, they are inconsequential to the piece's structural integrity. And I am totally happy with it.

Recreating this particular glazing effect might prove challenging, as its occurrence seemed somewhat serendipitous. The circumstances that led to this unique outcome may not easily align again. However, the unpredictability of the process has imbued the piece with a one-of-a-kind charm and character, making it truly unique.