I decided for my contribution to the exhibition entitled Fragility at Sheoak Gallery at Fingal to do Raku’d Balloon Bowls and Garden Totems.

Image

So I set about making Balloon Bowls and Garden Totems.

While talking to my bestie, Judith Wagenseller from OKC, Oklahoma, USA, I discovered that I should share my instructions for making these Balloon Bowls as they are quite fun, a good class project and look awesome raku’d.

First of all, I must give credit to Tea Tree Studios, Anna Couper and Angela Walford for the great inspiration and their process photos that I saw on Facebook!

The Balloon Bowls require the acquisition of certain pottery making skills, so would make a great class project:

  • rolling a slab
  • texturing a slab
  • making slip
  • applying slip
  • making joins of clay edges
  • use of oxides

– Quite a lot of stuff in one project, but I encourage you to try it!

Here is a pictorial tutorial of how I made them:

Judith and daughter, Hattie, set about making their Balloon Bowls and these are some pics of their process and results – pretty great!!!  I love their cat in the photos – he’s soooo into pottery!!!

Raku, Balloon Bowls
Oscar is ready to help Judith and Hattie with their Balloon Bowls.
Raku, Balloon Bowls
Oscar seems a bit bored with the project, but Judith is loving it!
Raku, Balloon Bowls
Judith and Hattie’s Raku’d Balloon Bowls! Muy Excellente’!!