Raku Coronavirus Covid 19 Spiked Heart Cabochon Ceramic Jewelry Supply Handmade by MAKUstudio

**No coupon code or wholesale discounts on this item please as this is a limited edition piece. Thank you for your understanding and continued support of my work!

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Where do I begin... My art is my passion. If I didn't have my art, who knows where I would be. I create through many emotions as art is my therapy too. And, during these crazy, uncertain times I created a COVID19 piece. I posted a photo of my raku coronavirus pieces on social media and was overwhelmed at the response...the list got too long. Initially, some of the spikes broke off in the raku firing of over 1800 degrees, and so I struggled with selling them at all. But then several people reached out to tell me that the virus actually creates scissors and cuts part of itself off...very interesting...maybe an accurate depiction after all. But, alas, art is subjective. I was able to find components that are a little more sturdy to withstand the firing of the high intense heat. This is a limited edition commemorative piece to remind us of this time...the craziness, the kindness, the inward reflection and solitude...whatever this time means to you. I received a customer request to make a covid heart, and so I did. I've made each one with love. Stay healthy and be present my friends. Thank you for your continued support, it means the world to me. The heart pictured is the one you will receive. A super cool, large spiked heart cabochon!

Great for bead embroidery, metalsmithing, and wire wrapping! Or, simply glue on a bail!

*I handmade this cabochon out of clay

*Bisque fired, glazed, and raku fired in my studio

*Glossy; white crackle, red; black from the raku firing process where there is no glaze.

*Raku cabochon measures about 62 mm x 53 mm at the base

*Signed by the artist (that's me!) on the back "MAKU"

Thanks for looking! Hope you enjoy my art!

THE RAKU PROCESS:

Raku pottery was made long ago for Japanese tea ceremonies. It was modernized later into the process you see today. This involves taking a piece of pottery that has been bisque fired and glazed then firing it in a raku kiln. The piece is then fired to about 1800 degrees F and pulled out of the kiln while still red hot then placed in a reduction chamber containing organic materials such as newspaper, sawdust, leaves, etc. The materials catch on fire, the lid is put on veru quickly and carefully. The fire wants oxygen to keep going and flames often shoot across a piece, pulling oxygen from the glaze. The matte black color (a very unique characteristic of raku) is created where there is no glaze. It's so exciting and creates one of kind colors which are very hard to duplicate. Please note that raku is not food safe nor is it intended to hold liquid.

Caring for your raku piece:

Raku is fragile, please handle with care. Keep your raku in an air tight container or zippered bag when storing. Do not swim or leave your piece in water. Keep your piece out of direct sunlight, as it will affect the glaze. I wash my pieces very well, but on occasion you will see some ash residue that will rub off from the parts that are not glazed. This will come out of your clothing with no problem, but if it concerns you, you can paint clear nail polish on the back of a piece.