Step by Step Instruction for "Kintsugi" - Let's Break Some Bowls!
Last week I shared with you the ancient art of Kintsugi (See “Don’t Hide Your Broken Pieces” blog in HopeforHardPlaces.com). Pieces of broken pottery are brought back together and repaired with resin and powdered gold. The end result is a piece of art with greater value because of its unique beauty. This is how our own lives can look when we find our hopes and dreams shattered. The beauty comes when we surrender our broken pieces to God and allow Him to restore us, His way.
This one was a gift from my daughter. It’s the real deal!
Inside view
What you (or a group of you) will need for your “Bowl Bashing” Kintsugi Party:
Ceramic bowl (Check out any of the Dollar Tree stores for their selection - a great bargain at $1.00 each). It’s best not to use a bowl that is too thin so that your pieces will better adhere.
E6000 Craft Adhesive (Amazon has a Pack of 2, 3.7 oz for $14.99. Also found in most arts and crafts stores). One tube should be sufficient for gluing together at least 4 to 5 bowls.
Thick plastic sheet or something to protect the surface you are working on (E6000 really sticks!)
Metallic Marker - medium point (Amazon has Sharpie Oil-Based Metallic Gold Paint Marker, Medium Point, 3-Count for $8.75, American Crafts Metallic Markers 2-Pack, One Gold and one Silver $8.55, among many others. Also found in most arts and crafts stores.)
Hammer
An old towel to cover your bowl while you tap it
Protective gloves (since E6000 really sticks). Honestly, I get frustrated with my gloves sticking together so I tend to pull them off and scrub the dried adhesive off when I am done.
Good music - to help make this a party!
Ready to start?
Place your bowl upside down on a firm surface, preferably the floor, and drape your towel over the bowl.
Hold the hammer and strike the bottom of your bowl slightly to the side of the bowl’s center. (Hitting the bowl directly in the center can blow out the bottom of the bowl and leave the rest of the bowl intact). It’s best to begin with a less aggressive tap at first to determine your bowl’s “breaking point.” If you’re overzealous with your hammer you will have a LOT of broken pieces you’ve got to try and bring together.
Uncover your bowl and begin to see how your pieces fit together. Ideally you will have at least 3-4 pieces to work with and not more than 8-12.
Start by gluing your largest edges together first, lining the entire length of one edge with glue. (Any excess glue peels away easily once it has dried.) Give two newly adjoined pieces a few minutes to dry before trying to add another piece. The process works best if you turn your bowl upside down so that the open rim of your bowl rests on your work surface (allowing gravity to assist you).
Add the smaller pieces last, gently working your pieces of pottery into place.
* If you’re into glitter, this would be the time to sprinkle gold glitter over the cracks while the glue is still wet. I’ve done it both ways and prefer using only the metallic marker. Whatever you prefer!
Wait 5-10 minutes to give the glue time to dry before painting over all the cracks with the metallic pen. If you’ve got places that are missing their piece (because you were overzealous with your hammer), no worries. Just paint the edges with your metallic pen. More brokenness means more gold! Your bowl mimics life - sometimes our pieces don’t fit back together the way they once did.
Display your new creation proudly. May it always be a reminder to you that our God is in the business of making much out of our messes. YOU ARE A MASTERPIECE!
This one is my Dollar Tree bowl.
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14 NIV
Good luck with your Kintsugi project. Feel free to email me at kirbyking0413@gmail.com if you have any questions. I’m happy to help. Also, I’d love to see some finished products so take a picture!