To decorate this piece I have filled the shells of the Cicada’s and dipped them in Slip before attaching them to the Vase. The Vase being a commercial glazed piece will cause the additions to crack or craze which adds to the appearance of the Earth. Prior to these additions the vase was sponged with Ruby Lustre and fired to 800 degrees. When fired to 1200 degrees this lustre fired to a soft pinkie bone shade.

The holes that have been attached where pored onto a Plaster of Paris slab to dry until leather hard and then attached to form the shape of the vase.

Cotton gauze bandage dipped in slip was draped drown the vase and then removed. Removal also decorates the vase as it leaves the marks and slip where it was removed. Dipping the gaze again in slip allows it to be draped again and attach to the vase.

Whilst wet the Ceramic Glazes have been applied with a brush. A Crystal glaze to create the look of the earth and gaze along with a clear glaze of the Cicada’s. Some bubble glaze has also been applied before Firing at 1200 degrees.

Enamel under river sand attached the gravel. A coat of enamel over these stones also allowed them to be painted with copper lustre. The Liquid Bright Gold was painted over the Cicada’s and fired to 790 degrees completed the vase.