Cheryl Pulkowski

/crackle bowls

I throw my crackle bowls using two distinct techniques. The first process involves creating the bowl to a certain point then coating the middle section with sodium silicate. The silicate is allowed to partially dry, then the final throwing is performed to stretch it to the desired size and shape. This action allows the crackles to form. While the main sections of the bowl are glazed in a standard fashion, only underglaze is applied to the crackle portion.​

 

My other technique begins similarly, but instead of using sodium silicate to create the texture, I utilize various tools to imprint a texture onto the clay. After applying the texture, the rest of the process continues the same as above.