Tuesday 9 February 2010

How I learned the art of Fine Ceramics Restoration.....by Carolyn H



In my first post I mentioned that I have had many hobbies, in the field of art, that I learned from reading books. One of these was the fascinating and challenging art of learning to decorate real eggs. I became quite good at it and found great pleasure in challenging myself to produce more and more fine detail---- particularly in learning to carve the egg shell using a high speed dental drill powered by an air compressor.
Although I enjoyed the art of the decorated egg, it never became profitable. Yes, I would occasionally sell one but most were given away to friends and to the Animal Rescue League to be auctioned off as part of their fund raising events. A number I kept because of my daughter's insistence, "Mom, please don't give any more of them away!"
In a strange twist of fate, an egg brought me directly to one of my greatest challenges and achievements-- That of the art of Fine Ceramics Restoration.
I accidentally broke the top out of an Ostrich egg that had taken me months to complete. Devastated and distraught, I spent the remainder of the day on the phone looking for someone who could possibly repair it! Finally, a company, calling itself "Restorers of America" in Lake Worth, sounded optimistic.
The following day, I was introduced to the owner of the studio who was also a Master restorer of fine ceramics as well as furniture. After examining my egg and admiring the workmanship, she suggested that, rather than having it repaired, I sign up for a beginner’s class she was holding and repair it myself.

I found the class fascinating! I successfully restored my egg and a couple of other pieces of Quimper that I had. She was so impressed with my work that, at the end of the class, she asked me to work with her.
I worked under her tutorship for about two years and have been restoring ever since. God truly does work in mysterious ways!
We're linking this beautifully carved white Ostrich egg to White Wednesday #34 @ Faded Charm, which today is looking very much like an old fashioned English haberdashers with linens, lace, cotton & other charming bits & bobs.

Do go over and see all the other wonderful whites gathered there but please leave a comment here first so we know who came calling.

5 comments:

  1. Those eggs are beautiful Carolyn, and it's interesting to learn how you began your restoration experience.

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  2. Wow! This is truly amazing. I loved your story am so happy for you to be able to do what you really love. Great work!!!

    Enjoy your day,

    Kathleen

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  3. that is amazingly gorgeous!!! wow!!!

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  4. Wonderful story and amazing egg. You are very talented!

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