Hi my name is Mark java. Some people call me a Renaissance man because I like to so many different things.
Visited my other shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/MarkJavaglassworks/
I enjoy working with clay. Clay is like playing with mud, it brings out the kid in me. I’m still a beginner, as I been making pottery for 15 years. I believe the clay guides me some times, as I don’t like to make the same thing twice. I’m always striving to make each piece unique, and pushing the envelope. I have designed a soda kiln, and built one. I love wood kilns especially at night. I have earned Kiln Master Status, through experience and schooling. My training included the properties of glass. It’s truly a science.
I have only three basic rules.
1. Never make anything thicker than my thumb
2. Never fire a wet piece
3. All the rules can be broken.
I make many different types of art, but most of my work is done on a pottery wheel.
I make earring holders, and earrings to go with my holder. I strive for excellence in every piece!
I like doing raku, it is so hands on! The process is very destructive to the piece of bisque ware, as it heated very fast, this causes the ware to have structural fractures. This fractures can be beautiful, when the smoke highlights the cracks. The process is like the 4th of July when it's done, because each process is exciting. The loss rate can be high. The ones that don't break are special and completely unique.
I roll my own tiles, and let them dry ever so slowly. I’ve experience with outside tile instillations. Mosaic tiles are easier; it is all in the design.
Every vase is different in some way, as each one is handmade.
There are no limits to my imagination, I never known where it will take me
I always test my glazes especially the ones I make. A glaze can make or ruin a piece. My most favorite phase is "opening the kiln is like Christmas". I'm always surprised at what see! I'm continually learning from the good, bad, and the ugly!
I like fusing glass in my ceramic pieces, as well pure glass fusion. Glass fusion fascinates me with the possibilities!
I also enjoy making cabochons (round gems) out of stones! Opals are very different from other stones. It's extremely special when I cut a stone open! Sometimes they are beautiful, but the outside is ugly!
I make pendants, and earring using glass fusion. Some take several firings to achieve perfection! I like dichonic glass, because ot the metallic colors it produces!
I also make glass coaster, suncatchers, and back splash tiles. Sometimes I use copper, and silver foil in them for effect, as these metals react with some glasses! These reaction are similar to ceramic glaze interaction too, It all connected.
I have found melting glass wine bottles and slumping glass pieces are all connected. The Glass wine bottles are often used as cheese or fruit platters as well as decorative pieces. Glass is very similar to clay ceramic, as they are made of same elements. The glass component is both artistic and eye catching.
Copyright notice: The designs of these handmade and hand designed art pieces, descriptive listing texts, and all associated images are © copyright 1999-2017 by Mark Java Stone registered or unregistered, unless otherwise listed.
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