evaluation of
6 totally different kintsugi strategies
you’ll be able to select from based mostly on the wants of your pot-mending scenario. After finishing this evaluation, out of respect for my present scenario as a
graduate scholar with restricted time and funds, I opted to strive one of many
easiest strategies – the
“2-in-1 Step Technique: Oozing Coloured Epoxy”. As I beforehand described, this methodology requires the least provides,
hands-on steps, and wait time whereas offering a sturdy finish product. As a result of
this methodology had considerations relating to management of the aesthetic high quality, my subsequent query was whether or not these limitations could possibly be improved upon. Therefore, immediately’s article covers a number of trial pots I repaired with this methodology to look at
and tweak the 2-in-1 Step approach. My outcomes from the ultimate pot I repaired (see beneath) advance the 2-in-1
Step Technique because it demonstrates the flexibility to make use of this methodology to cleanly
fill giant lacking items in some circumstances, which has not beforehand
been reported. Mixed with the cautious utility of the coloured epoxy, this system
might now be nearer to the standard related to the extra difficult kintsugi restore methods.
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The results of my closing kintsugi restore utilizing the 2-in-1 Step Technique: Oozing Coloured Epoxy. This piece had a big lacking piece and a few small gaps from smaller lacking items which made it further difficult for this system. |
Sections
- Kintsugi Strategies (Final time)
- Conventional Kintsugi Utilizing Pure Merchandise
- Fast 2 Step: Superglue & Oil Sharpie
- 2-in-1 Step: Oozing Coloured Epoxy
- 3 Step: Epoxy Mend, Scrape, & Paint
- 4 Step: Epoxy Mend, Scrape, Lacquer, & Gild
- Skilled 5 Step: Mend, Scrape, Lacquer, & Gild
- Protocol Abstract Desk
- Or… simply depart the pot damaged!
- Refining the 2-in-1 Step Technique (This time)
- First Try – Silver Present Pot
- Gold-Repaired Mug
- Gold Tropical Pot – Mixing Unevenness
-
Mini Gold Problem Pot – Advantageous Traces, Gaps, and Lacking
Items. -
Last Refined Protocol – 2-in-1 Step Technique: Oozing Coloured
Epoxy - Weblog Bulletins
- References
of this week’s article, let me first be aware that I’ve gone again to
my first kintsugi article to develop the part on the
conventional kintsugi methodology. I beforehand wrote concerning the conventional Japanese methodology involving
pure merchandise for ceramic restore as solely a factor of the previous, however
surprisingly, an artist dwelling in Italy has confirmed me mistaken. Though the
supplies for conventional Japanese Urushi lacquer are onerous to come back by in
the west, Thom Rozendaal just lately experimented with recreating this
pure product with resin from different tree species and a lacquer produced
from bugs. My full abstract of Thom’s strategies, supplies, execs, and cons
can be found in
my earlier article right here and you may learn extra about it instantly from
Thom’s artwork weblog right here.
Thanks for reaching out, Thom!
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Artist Thom Rozendaal’s completed kintsugi restore utilizing solely pure merchandise that had been obtainable to him. Learn extra right here. Supply. |
As I stated, I selected to make use of this
methodology for my first kintsugi repairs as a result of it’s the most effective
methodology when it comes to time and value. Right here I share a number of pots I repaired
with this methodology to see what diploma the standard of the ultimate end result
could possibly be managed and to what extent the aesthetic end
predetermined to random unevenness.
III-I. First Try – Silver Present Pot
winter and wanted to be repaired ASAP for my entry into the
2021 Columbus Bonsai Society’s Annual Present
(the primary one I’ve participated in with my new membership, and certain the
topic of a future weblog submit). Under are the images from this primary
try. The explanation I mended this pot with silver will develop into obvious
once I share the ultimate tree with y’all sooner or later. Those that had been in
attendance might keep in mind it although. 😉
Since my internal demons embrace a voice telling me to
procrastinate, my goal with this primary pot was to create a stable
and lasting restore utilizing provides I may discover from native artwork and
{hardware} shops somewhat than look forward to merchandise to be shipped on-line. The
provides I gathered are pictured beneath. I am going to develop on their functions a
bit right here; these primary supplies had been used for all pots repaired on this
article.
Supplies
-
Clear-drying epoxy – To restore the pot and include our pigment
spotlight. Based mostly on my earlier article, I’d have most well-liked to
use PC-Clear because it was reported as essentially the most sturdy. I couldn’t
discover it although, so I took a chance on the Gorilla Glue Clear-Drying
Epoxy. -
Silver pigment powder – To focus on our crack restore (can substitute
actual silver or different metals). -
Cheap brush – I assumed I’d use this for making use of epoxy however
I didn’t. You do not want it and it might be a waste given you’ll
want a recent brush every time the epoxy hardens. -
Toothpicks – the best disposable device for mixing small volumes of
epoxy, pigment powder, and making use of small volumes at a time to the
crack restore. -
70% Ethanol (or greater) – This was meant for use with the rag
to take away extra epoxy, however I didn’t discover it very useful. In some
instances it was used, however the rag is a blunt instrument. I most well-liked to
clean out any extra with a toothpick. - Cheap rag – see above
-
Parchment paper (not pictured) – This was the floor I blended my
epoxy and powder on for straightforward cleanup.
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Provides from left to proper: Gorilla model clear epoxy, silver pigment powder, disposable brush, toothpicks, 70% ethanol, cheap rag, and parchment paper (not pictured). |
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When life offers you lemons… you intensely evaluation a 400-year-old Japanese approach and use it to write down two excessively lengthy articles about your lemonade, duhhh. |
Above you’ll be able to see what number of items I needed to restore. Fortunately
this pot principally had bigger items which made the method simpler, but it surely
nonetheless took about 1 week to restore the pot in its entirety. Only one or two items could possibly be mended at a time, then the pot must
be allowed to take a seat for a day whereas the epoxy cured.
progress. Epoxy was blended with a toothpick-scoop filled with pigment powder
till the specified shade was reached. This glue combine was then rapidly
utilized to the pot because the Gorilla Glue units in about 5-10 minutes. The
epoxy is straightforward to use at first however over time it will get stringy when it will get
near solidifying. When the epoxy is at this stringy texture, it is a
good time to cease making use of and blend a brand new batch as utilizing epoxy within the
stringy interval can develop into messy and end in epoxy unintentionally getting
dragged onto locations you did not intend.
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Right here you’ll be able to see the coloured epoxy that has been pushed out of the crack when these two items had been first joined. The epoxy seems a lot extra liquid initially (as on this image) early on within the setting course of. |
I want I had taken extra footage whereas within the progress of
making the primary repaired pot, however alas, my fingers had been full urgent the
pot again collectively. With this model of glue, you must firmly press the
two items collectively for a number of minutes whereas the epoxy begins to
harden. Extra in-progress footage and pointers might be shared in
subsequent pot repairs detailed later on this article. For now, take pleasure in
the completed product of this primary pot via the images beneath.
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| Entrance |
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| Again |
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| Rotated barely from above. |
On this first
pot restore, you’ll be able to see the problems I predicted within the earlier article did
manifest considerably. The strains for this system actually can come out uneven
and drips are generally obvious on account of gravity pulling the oozed epoxy
downwards. For many who are followers of wabi-sabi or the concept of embracing
imperfection, perhaps the pure tendencies of this system are ample
for you, and no additional changes are wanted. Nonetheless, subsequent trials
with this kintsugi approach will see how a lot this methodology could be additional
refined.
Subsequent up, a mug that was damaged throughout delivery once I
forgot it in Seattle. One other good likelihood to follow. This time I attempted
utilizing gold pigment powder and took just a few extra course of photographs to point out the
mixing of the epoxy and the way you apply it with the toothpick. I am going to let the
footage and captions inform the story on this one.
*Word: I do not anticipate this mug might be food-safe after making use of the epoxy
as a result of who is aware of (not me) what the chemical substances within the epoxy and pigment
powder would do within the physique? This might be a decorative-only piece from now
on.
Lastly, we have now my mini
pot. This pot originated from my former housemate in Seattle. Joey was getting again
into making ceramics so I paid him to make a few kusamono-sized
pots. Sadly, this one shattered when it was shipped to me after
my transfer. A yr and a few change later, time to repair it. As I went alongside,
I spotted that this pot was so completely damaged that some areas had tiny items to
place again collectively, some areas had giant lacking items, and different
areas had giant gaps the place the crack was someway widened. In complete,
these components made repairing this tiny pot take 2 weeks of on and off
work, but it surely taught me greater than all the opposite pots mixed because the
challenges of this tiny pot required me to strive new methods to get a
consistent-looking product. I’d glue a bit in the future, let it relaxation.
Mix some strains in the future, let it relaxation. In some areas, I even scraped
extra epoxy off with a knife within the hours after the epoxy set (whereas
the epoxy was comfortable, but stable), or scraped off finer inconsistencies
after some areas had totally hardened. The work was worthwhile, however now I
have to think about what tree or accent plant would pair with this pot!
It is too good to not use it.
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Have a look at all these items! I’ve roughly organized them by how they must go collectively, then those to the precise I had no thought the place they went but. |
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I used to be making use of the identical technique because the final pot however utilizing even much less epoxy to attempt to get tremendous strains. I’d first restore the items collectively after which go over the cracklines once more the place vital. |
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| 3 items are actually caught again collectively. |
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And a fourth! Once more, the realm with a lower than full hiding of the crack might be revised later. |
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Round right here I spotted what occurs in the event you’re not cautious about the order that you simply put the items again collectively. Though this piece would go there, it couldn’t be positioned in because of the high piece blocking its entry. |
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| Does not match. |
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| Does not match. |
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Answer! Sand down the sides in order that it might probably squeeze in. This slowed me down a bit. Higher to keep away from it. |
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| Lastly matches! |
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| I glued the 2 halves collectively concurrently to avoid wasting time. |
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Then when the 2 halves had been put again collectively and there have been no extra items, I spotted I used to be lacking some items. Could not discover them wherever, so we should get inventive. |
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| Small lacking piece and a crack that wants one other coat. |
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| Extra gaps had been revealed. |
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This space had one giant lacking piece along with the big cracks. |
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This space turned out fairly properly not less than. Solely minimal mixing is required. |
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Right here you see the within view of these gaps, cracks, and lacking items. A second coat is required for a lot of elements. |
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| Inside view of some lacking items. |
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My answer to the lacking items was to cowl them with clear scotch tape on one aspect. I’d then use this to create a clean end on the outside and drop within the coloured epoxy from the inside. |
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| A number of layers of tape to make sure an excellent floor to use epoxy on. |
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| Exterior of huge lacking piece with the tape answer. |
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| Inside of small lacking items able to obtain the epoxy. |
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| Identical answer to the big lacking piece from the inside. |
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For the big lacking piece on the rim, I additionally taped it over the high to strive to make sure the rim of this piece can be comparatively flat with the remainder of the pot rim. |
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Because the inside doesn’t have the tape to create a clean floor, the epoxy have to be utilized with the lacking piece resting down. Gravity will make sure the epoxy I apply spreads evenly and dries easily somewhat than dripping downwards. |
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Piece restore is cooking! Since one aspect was not sealed, I may really feel when the epoxy had hardened and when the tape was due to this fact able to be eliminated. |
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After many items positioned again collectively and lots of touch-ups to good and mix the strains, that is the graveyard of toothpicks from this one tiny pot. |
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| Completed backside + entrance. |
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| Completed backside + again. |
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| Completed inside. |
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| Completed entrance. |
III-V. Last Refined Protocol – 2-in-1 Step Technique: Oozing Coloured
Epoxy
This text is now fairly lengthy so I am going to solely briefly go
over the ultimate protocol with the teachings from the above trials.
Up to date Strategies:
- Combine epoxy with pigment powder of alternative to succeed in the specified shade.
-
Decide up a drop of epoxy combine with the toothpick, and unfold over the
crack such that solely a small quantity is current on the crack. -
Utilizing a small quantity will allow higher consistency of the road
look. -
Enable items to be set totally earlier than constructing additional. Watch out of
the order through which you add items so entry of the subsequent piece shouldn’t be
obstructed. - If a bit is blocked from entry, sand edges till it matches.
-
If a bit is lacking, construct a scaffold by making use of clear scotch
tape throughout the hole on the outside. -
Prepare the pot in order that the taped space rests parallel to the
floor. Gravity will support in spreading the epoxy evenly on the
inside on the web site of the lacking piece. -
Apply the epoxy combine to the within of the pot till it fills the
void. -
Apply a really tremendous (as wanted) second coat of coloured epoxy over
areas which have gaps, which don’t fully conceal the crack strains,
or round areas with uneven drops of epoxy from the primary
utility. - Scrape extra epoxy off.
-
If a big extra of epoxy is utilized in an undesirable location,
it may be simply eliminated within the first hours whereas it’s nonetheless
malleable (earlier than totally drying) with a metallic implement. -
If the epoxy is utilized whereas too cheesy, small strings of coloured
epoxy might come off with the toothpick after utility. These
sloppy strings can land off the road of the crack restore. For pots
with clean glazes, these small strings could be fastidiously scraped
off after drying with an Exacto knife, paring knife, or butter
knife.
Supplies:
- Clear epoxy
-
PC Clear is most well-liked for sturdiness, however as mentioned final week,
Alardite is slower to set and JB ClearWeld or Gorilla Glue Clear
(amongst others) can also work. - Gold/silver powder / mica powder / pigment powder
- Parchment Paper
- Toothpick
- butter knife/paring knife/ Exacto knife
- Scotch Tape
-
Now is an ideal time to begin making ready to cold-stratify
seeds for them to germinate in spring, so try my new seed inventory for 2022! As all the time,
all gross sales include my 10-12 months Bonsai From Seed Information. These
could possibly be an ideal stocking stuffer in your plant-curious
mates or relations. See my Gross sales Web page for extra particulars on my choices. -
Try my Earlier than & After Portfolio! I’ve added some new gifs of labor that I had finished throughout my
apprenticeship at Elandan Gardens, on my bushes, and for previous
purchasers. -
The Columbus Bonsai Society has a brand new web site! In the event you’re within the space, be part of us at our subsequent assembly on
January sixteenth the place we’ll go over what to do in the event you obtain
your first bonsai for Christmas in addition to device upkeep
and sharpening.
Extra data right here.
