The Allure of Wood-Fired Pottery with Brandon Stolicny - Bonsai Time Podcast Ep 11

            In the eleventh episode of the Bonsai Time Podcast, Connecticut ceramicist and bonsai artist Brandon Stolicny walked Kevin and me through what makes wood-fired pottery so special! Brandon also talked us through the unique challenges that come with wood-fired pots and how his personality influences his style preferences in ceramics and in his bonsai. We also touched on Brandon's experience as a native yamadori collector working with pitch pines in his area of the northeastern US. Enjoy!

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On the Road with Mark Passerrello - Bonsai Time Podcast Ep 08

            In the eighth episode of the Bonsai Time Podcast, my co-host Kevin recorded an interview with CBS president and local potter Mark Passerrello while they were en route to a bonsai workshop. Kevin and Mark went over how Mark found himself in the world of bonsai, his approach to bonsai ceramics, and building confidence in a world full of imposter syndrome as he started his business Ancient Art Bonsai. Mark now regularly sells the pots he makes at local Columbus art events as well as accent plants and bonsai trees for beginner audiences (see pictures below). Kevin and Mark also discussed their experiences with bonsai clubs and how clubs could be made more welcoming to new members as well as Mark's gentle approach to catching the interest of the public during outreach events. Enjoy!

            Mark is one of several prominent bonsai artists who will be in attendance & vending at the upcoming Columbus Bonsai Society 50th Annual Show taking place in September. See here or www.columbusbonsai.org for more information.

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Moss Collection & Preparing Your Tree for Show! July CBS Lecture by Kevin Faris

Source material: July 17, 2022

            For the most recent Columbus Bonsai Society monthly meeting, we had a short opening lecture focused on show preparation - led by our own Kevin Faris - followed by some "Bring-Your-Own-Tree" Workshop time. As part of our efforts to help members prepare for the upcoming 50th Annual CBS Show, Kevin focused on the specifics of collecting moss, the benefits of moss, applying moss for show preparation, and as a bonus, he even covered why and how to oil pots before you show your trees. We look forward to seeing everyone's trees in just over 1 month on September 24th-25th at Dawes Arboretum! Remember to check www.columbusbonsai.com to register in advance for workshops or special lectures you want to attend as some of them have limited space.

Find the full lecture here.

Reflections from April Grigsby, an American Potter's Journey - Bonsai Time Podcast Ep 07

            In the seventh episode of the Bonsai Time Podcast, my co-host Kevin drove to meet April Grigsby of April Grigsby Ceramics in NE Ohio. April Grigsby is a relatively new American bonsai potter on the scene; you can arrange to visit her studio in person through the contact info on her website. They discussed April's diverse background in art and bonsai which has today led to the start of her successful bonsai pottery business. She now travels to many local midwestern shows to sell her handmade traditional Japanese-inspired pots and was even invited by Bill Valavanis to sell at the recent 2021 US National Bonsai Exhibit. Hear some of her special tricks and the work that goes into the pots which are so important to showcasing our trees. Enjoy!

    Note: April is one of several prominent bonsai artists who will be in attendance at the upcoming Columbus Bonsai Society 50th Annual Show taking place in September. See here or www.columbusbonsai.org for more information.

Listen to the episode on Youtube.

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Refining the 2-In-1 Step Method for Kintsugi Ceramic Repair

        Last time I gave y’all a thorough review of 6 different kintsugi methods you can choose from based on the needs of your pot-mending situation. After completing this review, out of respect for my current situation as a graduate student with limited time and funds, I opted to try one of the simplest methods - the "2-in-1 Step Method: Oozing Colored Epoxy". As I previously described, this method requires the least supplies, hands-on steps, and wait time while providing a durable end product. Because this method had concerns regarding control of the aesthetic quality, my next question was whether these limitations could be improved upon. Hence, today's article covers several trial pots I repaired with this method to observe and tweak the 2-in-1 Step technique. My results from the final pot I repaired (see below) advance the 2-in-1 Step Method as it demonstrates the ability to use this method to cleanly fill large missing pieces in some circumstances, which has not previously been reported. Combined with the careful application of the colored epoxy, this technique may now be closer to the quality associated with the more complicated kintsugi repair techniques.

        My recommendations for an improved 2-in-1 Step protocol can be found at the end of this article.

The result of my final kintsugi repair using the 2-in-1 Step Method: Oozing Colored Epoxy.
This piece had a large missing piece and some small gaps from smaller missing pieces which made it extra challenging for this technique.

Sections

1. Kintsugi Methods (Last time)
1. Traditional Kintsugi Using Natural Products
2. Quick 2 Step: Superglue & Oil Sharpie
3. 2-in-1 Step: Oozing Colored Epoxy
4. 3 Step: Epoxy Mend, Scrape, & Paint
5. 4 Step: Epoxy Mend, Scrape, Lacquer, & Gild
6. Professional 5 Step: Mend, Scrape, Lacquer, & Gild
7. Protocol Summary Table
2. Or... just leave the pot broken!
3. Refining the 2-in-1 Step Method (This time)
1. First Attempt - Silver Show Pot
2. Gold-Repaired Mug
3. Gold Tropical Pot - Blending Unevenness
4. Mini Gold Challenge Pot - Fine Lines, Gaps, and Missing Pieces.
5. Final Refined Protocol - 2-in-1 Step Method: Oozing Colored Epoxy
4. Blog Announcements
5. References

Broken Bonsai Pot? No Problem! Modern Methods for Ceramic Repair Through Kintsugi

           Whether from poor packaging or handling during shipping, a strong wind, a pet-related accident, or just our own clumsiness, everyone in bonsai eventually has to deal with the frustration of a broken bonsai pot. If you found this article because this recently happened to you, don't despair. You do have options. You could repair the pot so the cracks from its catastrophe are barely visible, but in the esoteric world of bonsai aesthetics, generations of Japanese ceramics before us have developed a more artistic way to mend broken pots - this is the process known as kintsugi. 

        This article began from my own research into methods of kintsugi repair so I could repair one of my broken pots.  Like in other areas of bonsai, there is a centuries-old, established, traditional technique but there are also more modern methods that can make the process of mending pots faster, simpler, and cheaper. The objective of this article is straightforward - find step-by-step information that is doable for an amateur (like me), and then narrow down potential methods by expected durability, quality of end product, time to complete the repair, cost of materials, and convenience to locate said materials. To evaluate this list of considerations, I summarized the pros and cons of each method according to my findings and interviews with people who have tried each technique (See the summary table at the end for the short version). Finally, I modified the winning kintsugi repair protocol for use on my pot and I will share that process & result next time.

There are 3 main types of kintsugi repair - piece, crack, or joint-call. Of the 3 types, the joint-call repair is the rarest and not commonly seen in bonsai displays. Source

Sections

1. Kintsugi Methods (This time)
1. Traditional Kintsugi Using Natural Products
2. Quick 2 Step: Superglue & Oil Sharpie
3. 2-in-1 Step: Oozing Colored Epoxy
4. 3 Step: Epoxy Mend, Scrape, & Paint
5. 4 Step: Epoxy Mend, Scrape, Lacquer, & Gild
6. Professional 5 Step: Mend, Scrape, Lacquer, & Gild
7. Protocol Summary Table
2. Or... just leave the pot broken!
3. My Own Kintsugi Protocol - Adjustments & Results (Next time)
1. First Attempt - Silver Show Pot
2. Gold-Repaired Mug
3. Gold Tropical Pot - Blending Unevenness
4. Mini Gold Challenge Pot - Fine Lines, Gaps, and Missing Pieces.
5. Final Protocol + Adjustments
4. Blog Announcements
5. References