Tuesday, September 28, 2010

My next commision, test pots

Got a request for a 14" diameter bonsai pot, he wants the fissures to golden yellow and the dark brown with a rim. After some thought I made these to see how easy/difficult it would be to create.

1st attempt the rim came out too heavy and the walls too vertical


2nd came out much better, nice round shape with a finer rim.

One more test before starting the large pot, stay tuned....

Monday, September 20, 2010

Saggar test



I've been reading about saggar firing and found a guy in England that does it in an electric kiln. After seeing his work I thought it was time I tried. Using an old stoneware nursery pot, kiln batting and a kiln shelf (for the lid). Now I just needed a shino recipes, selected Malcolm Davis just because of the least ingredients. Not sure how to apply the glaze and how many coats to get the best results I simply brushed it on.


Not bad, just need to play with glaze application some. Most exciting thing is I can now do some reduction work!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Conophytum springbokensis





Purchased this for a $1, not really into Aizoaceae but I was told this one quite old.

Looks pretty good in one of my 3in round pots

Friday, September 3, 2010

Pachypodium brevicaule




Purchased this beauty in 2006, the winter of 2007 it rotted. I cleaned out all dead tissue and was left with half the plant. I was told the only way to save it was to graft it onto lamerei. I'm not a fan of graft so I attempted to root it. After 16mo it started to push new foliage, I knew it had finally rooted and flowered soon after



Made a simple shallow bowl to be able to show it off


While it looks kinda cool I wasn't happy with the presentation. It needed a wider container, I started playing with ovals until I created something worth of this baby.



2 months later I entered it in the 25th Inter City C&S Show and won a blue ribbon and outstanding specimen!