Acidea.net Team
On today’s episode of World Crafted, we’re off to Japan to examine a method for repairing broken pottery with the unexpected material of gold. And then we’re re-imagine this tradition using a modern DIY way that will turn your broken ceramics into little works of art for your home. (instrumental music playing) In Japanese culture, there is a philosophy called wabi-sabi, and it’s a unique way of looking at the world. Finding and appreciating the beauty in old or broken things, imperfect things. And falling under that lovely umbrella of thought is a handcraft tradition called Kintsugi Repair. It’s the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer that’s been dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver or platinum.
The result is a cup, bowl, or plate that’s been pieced back together with gorgeous seams of precious metal. I love everything about this concept and started to explore alternate methods of repairing broken pottery that you and I could tackle at home as a DIY, using modern and easily-accessible materials, and what I found is that there are only three basic materials you need to complete this project.
The first, of course, is a broken piece of pottery. Now let me say that with any new craft, you have to practice to improve your technique. I love the idea of you considering a broken piece of your grandmother’s china or even a beloved damaged ceramic figurine you made in elementary school, but let me encourage you to practice on a less precious object first. Maybe an inexpensive find at a local thrift shop or dollar store. But whatever piece you choose, make sure that it’s clean and scorched before you begin.
To repair the broken pottery, we’ll be using a clear two-part epoxy from your craft, hobby, or hardware store. This type of epoxy is typically packaged as a syringe with two side-by-side tubes, one containing resin and the other, a hardener. When combined in equal parts, a chemical reaction occurs, creating a powerful binding agent. Most work with a variety of materials but be certain to read the label thoroughly to make sure it will bind ceramics, and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. And finally, to color the epoxy and give it the appearance of metal, we’ll use mica powder. Mica is a common mineral, and when ground into a fine powder, it’s often used in cosmetics. I’m going to demonstrate the process using gold, but know that many metallic shades are available to choose from, and I found the most extensive selection available in online stores. (instrumental music playing) One of the origin stories for Kintsugi Repair involves a 15th-century Japanese shogun, or military leader, who sent a damaged Chinese tea bowl back to China for repairs.
Now when it was returned to him, he found that it had been repaired with metal staples and it’s thought that the shogun’s displeasure with how the repair looked may have prompted Japanese artisans to look for a more pleasing alternative. And so this joinery technique that emphasized the imperfections, visualizing mends and seams as an area to celebrate was developed. And it said that collectors became so enamored of the new art, that some were accused of deliberately breaking pottery so that it could be repaired with the gold seams of Kintsugi Repair. It’s a smart idea to cover your work surface for this project, and have a rag or a paper towel on hand, should you need it.
I’m going to mix the epoxy in a small, disposable tray but a piece of wax paper or aluminum foil would work as well. Now, most epoxies set within a matter of minutes, so we’re going to mix and work with small batches. Start by doing a dry fit, placing your broken pottery pieces together, so that you’re aware of the proper placement. Then depress the syringe to dispense a small amount of the two-part epoxy, and then add a tiny amount of the mica powder. I’m using a wooden sandwich pick to scoop the mica and then mix it directly into the epoxy. Stir thoroughly, and then begin to spread it on the broken edge of one of your pottery pieces. It only needs to be applied to one of the edges you’ll be fitting together, not both. Now if you’re dealing with one long broken edge, you’ll want to work as quickly as possible. Add a relatively generous amount of the mixed epoxy, so that when the two pieces are pressed together, it emerges from the seams, creating that beautiful vein of gold.
Once the edge is completely coated, fit the two pieces together and hold in place until the epoxy starts to set. This could be a couple of minutes. Now the manufacturer’s directions will tell you how long the epoxy will take to set and then how long it will take to cure completely. Resist the temptation to touch the epoxy seams before they’re completely cured because while they may have hardened enough to hold the pieces together, you can still leave fingerprints, which lessens the illusion of a gold seam. It’s most comfortable to work with one clean break, but understandably, we don’t have control over that. With multiple seams to repair, it’s best to attach one or two pieces at a time, allowing the epoxy to set before connecting more. Once the epoxy has completely cured, your DIY Kintsugi Repair pottery is ready to use and display. It’s not recommended that you eat or drink out of your repaired pieces, but they make lovely decorative home accents. A bedside jewelry holder, pencil cups for your desk, or a convenient dish for keys and change inside the front door. I do hope you’ll give this project a try.
As found on Youtube
