Strange stories about Vietnamese pottery

The biggest flower-vases

There is no other place in Vietnam displaying so many giant flower-vases of all sizes like the house of artisan Le Minh Ngoc in Bat Trang pottery village in Gia Lam (Hanoi). Here, the shortest jar is 1.5m high, a medium one is about 2.5m and the highest can nearly reach the ceiling.

Firstly, he made 0.45 m-high vases and he has gradually raised the height of them to 1m, 1.2m, 1.8m, 2m and 2.5m and all the time his passion for this work also grew. After many years of researching and creating, he is now the only artisan in Bat Trang who can make flower-vases of 2m high or higher.

In 1996, he decided to make two 5.6m-high flower-vases, as high as the banian tree in his village, to the wonder of everyone. On the day of opening the kiln, all the villagers were eager to see his products but regrettably, the vases were deformed. At that time Le Minh Ngoc was completely dispirited.

The two flower-vases were made in 2002 with their height of 3.2m, diameter of 0.94m and weight of 170kg. They were recorded in the Vietnam’s Guinness Book in September 2004. These vases are so big and high that Ngoc had to build a new kiln for them and they need ten strong people to carry.

Recently Ngoc has found kaolin (a kind of clay) in Quang Ninh and intends to produce some 5.4 m high vases.


The "Pottery Road" project

This is a project to celebrate the 1000th Thang Long – Hanoi anniversary.

It's 6km-long colorful mosaic covering the dike from Au Co Road through Nghi Tam, Yen Phu, Tran Nhat Duat and Tran Khanh Du roads.

To implement the project, Nguyen Thu Thuy and a team of Vietnamese and international artists have created many pottery works based on traditional materials of famous pottery craft villages such as Bat Trang Village outside Hanoi.They have also adorned the ceramic mural with unique cultural motifs and patterns of different dynasties, such as designs of Thang Long architecture of the Ly Dynasty (1010-1225), artifacts found in the Thang Long citadel archaeological site, brown flowed pottery of the Tran Dynasty (1225-1400) and sculptures in the 17th-18th centuries.

The Pottery Road is trying to acquire the Guinness Record 2010 for the longest pottery road in the world.

Source: TkCeramics - Vietnamese pottery

How to Plant Arabesque Pottery Plant Containers

Arabesque pottery can add a focal point to a simple garden or can be a theme for an elaborate garden. Choosing the right type of foliage for this style container and planting it to thrive is the key to beautiful results.

Step 1

Choose a container. Check that your planter has a drainage hole. Plants will not thrive for long in containers that cannot drain.

Step 2

Choose a plant. An arabesque design lends itself particularly well to plantings with full, fanning or trailing foliage like palms or ivies. Think about what colors will complement the container. If the container is monochrome, your options are unlimited. If the container includes painted elements in its design, stick with a plant that is one color that complements the colors on the container.

Step 3

Fill the container with soil. Using a garden spade or a spoon, fill your container about 75 percent full of potting soil. An all-purpose soil from any garden center will do.

Step 4

Make a hole in the soil. Using your fist, form a hole about the same size as the root ball of the plant you have chosen.

Step 5

Check the hole size. Place the plant into the hole to check its size. You should have room to cover the roots and about an inch of the base of the plant with soil. If you don't, modify the hole.

Step 6

Place your plant. Place the plant in the hole, and gently add more soil until the container is heaping full.

Step 7

Firm the soil. Tamp down the soil around your plant, and water with a fine spray to settle it.

Step 8

Check the soil level. Check the soil level, and add more as necessary, tamping it firmly and watering gently until damp soil covers the plant's roots and about an inch of the base of the stem.

Step 9

Water your plant. Thoroughly water your plant until water drains from the bottom of the container.

Source ehow.com/Shannon LCC

How To Paint On Ceramics

Simply put, ceramics are crystalline solids formed by the action of heat and subsequent cooling. Ceramics, as objects of art, were used from, as early as, the Paleolithic era. The origin of ceramics is credited mainly to Asia, with the earliest work of pottery work being found in China. Ceramics found wide usage throughout the world, because of its beauty and durability. Ancient ceramic vases are the most priced and sought after. Other than art, ceramics has huge usages like tiles, utensils, semiconductors, electrical appliances, etc. In households, ceramic products like vases and tiles can be made very attractive by painting on them. In this way, a simple ceramic tile or vase can be converted into a work of art. Easy and enjoyable, it is also a very constructive hobby. Read the article below to know more on how you can paint on ceramics.

Ceramic Painting Tips 

Prepare The Ceramics

The ceramics must be extremely clean. Remove the seam lines on the ceramics that are formed due to the mould. Use a scraping tool to gently scrape the lines. Erase the lines completely. Now use a sponge, and after dipping it in water, wipe the ceramic tile or pottery. Ceramics are quite delicate so handle with care. If the ceramic surfaces are not cleaned properly then the paint won’t stick to it. Since, ceramic surfaces are glazed, it is very difficult to get the paint on them. Treat the shiny surface with a mild abrasive, which not only removes the dirt and grease but also makes the surface a little rough. You can also use the sandpaper as an extra measure. This also removes the dirt and roughens up the surface without leaving any marks. Then thoroughly remove the dust using a wet sponge. Let it dry completely.

Drawing

Draw the outline of the image you are going to paint. If drawing is not your forte then you can trace the image on the ceramic. Place a carbon paper onto the ceramic surface and on top of it place the image. Now using a fine pencil trace the image onto the carbon paper and this in turn will form an outline on the ceramic surface. Drawing the outline is not required for people with a good hand at painting. This is also not necessary if you only want to paint the surface without any images.

Priming

Use a high adhesion primer as a base, on which the paint should be applied. Ensure high quality, otherwise, the paint will peel off in a short duration. The primer is very good in forming a bond between the paint and the ceramic surface. If you are using an oil-based paint, then the primer should also be oil based. Taking a roller, apply the primer on the flat surface, and use a brush for the sides. Paint the primer evenly, and set it for drying. Once dry apply a second coat of primer, and again leave it for drying. If you see, any small burrs on the surface, then using sandpaper slightly brush it, taking care not to leave any scratch marks on the primer.

Painting

Use paints of the best quality. It is better to use acrylic ceramic paints, for painting ceramic surfaces. Also, buy a wide range of brush sizes. Keep a number of rags handy to wipe the paint drippings and missed brush strokes. Paint the design and leave it for drying. While drying take care that no dust or other debris falls on it. If you are not painting any design, but only giving it a simple paint, then it is better to give three coats of paint. Always wait for the paint to dry in between coats.

Glazing

Unless the paint is glazed, it will appear dull. After the paint has dried thoroughly, apply acrylic gloss over the entire object. Gloss not only adds shine to the painting, but it also protects the paint. It is better to apply three coats of gloss for better effect. Leave for drying.

How To Paint On Ceramics

Tips For Decorating Your Kitchen

The decor of your kitchen area wholly depends on your likes, preferences and choices. In some houses you will find a separate room for the kitchen while in other houses the kitchen is set in an open area which seems like an extension of your living room or dining room. Kitchen designs that are most popular these days are L- shape, U-shape, island shape and gallery shape kitchen designs. These days people are adding expensive appliances like Dishwashers, ovens, Glass and wooden cabinets, old and silver dinnerware and pewter finish to give a whole new look to their kitchen area.

If you want to decorate your kitchenette on a large scale then you can even hire professional interior decorators. They would provide you great ideas for making your kitchen look more appealing and classy.

Here I would like to present some brilliant ideas in front of you about kitchen decoration.

1. Buy attractive table clothes

Attractive table clothes can really impress your guests while they are dining. In the market these days you will get a large variety of table clothes of different fabrics and patterns that you can choose according to your kitchen decor. You can purchase different table clothes in bulk; this would help you to change them on special occasions like Christmas, birthdays, and special dinners and on thanksgiving holiday.

2. Use decorative lights to illuminate your kitchen area

A dark and dull kitchen creates bad vibes whereas a well illuminated kitchen can really improve the ambiance. Even if you have a small kitchen it can look impressive with some great lighting. Purchasing bright decorative lights would surely be a very profitable investment for you. You can either have track lighting or lighting at the focal point of your kitchen. You can even consider a good chandelier accompanied by dazzling trimmings or unique lamps which can be placed on all the focal points.

3. Accessorize your kitchen

Accessorizing your kitchen is a great decorating option. The kitchen area is an extension to your living space hence this area should be welcoming and cozy. Kitchen accessories include china, collectibles, antiques, photographs, alligator chandelier, silver utensils, modern appliances, wall paintings, flower vases, fruit bowls, lamps, small plants and unique decorative pieces. If your budget allow then you can also include a patio area just outside your kitchen where meals can be served to all your guests and friends.

These are some essential tips that you must surely follow while decorating your kitchen area.

Tips For Decorating Your Kitchen

Tips To Design A Mexican Style Garden

Mexican Designed Gardens combine character with elegance and like the Hispanic culture should include a space for socialising! In the same way as Mexico is vast the types of Mexican style gardens have variations also, there are Mexican Water Gardens but more commonly the garden can be a courtyard style with a water feature if room allows it.

A Mexican courtyard garden is designed around people with evidence of the varied Mexican landscapes such as lush tropical forests, desert and coast. So the aim is to focus on the people who will enjoy it and visit it, then building the props and plants with this in mind which should mirror the diverse beauty of Mexico.

Some Mexican courtyard gardens may focus on one favourite place or aspect of Mexico which also works very well, so if you have been to Mexico this is an option. It could be a loving tribute to the relaxing coasts of Mexico, the diverse mountain regions or the native feel of the northern deserts.

When you have your theme decided then immerse yourself in lots of photos online of the aspects of this style to help you further define what props and plants will fit in your garden well. Remember that the socialising area is central to the plan, and this will ideally include some form of outdoor cooking facility as well as the area to relax, eat, drink and be merry! The end result should give a feel of native and colonial design with colours, plants, terrracotta and practical plants like herbs and vegetables are very much part of it.

Once you have set aside the entertaining area the next step is to put in the roots of this courtyward style which means choosing tiles which should have earthy tones, like terracottas, reds or browns, can include nature designs such as cacti or the sun and traditionally would have been handmade ceramic tiles.

Having chosen the socialising area your aim is to make this welcoming, cheery and functional so a good choice is a hand made brick oven or barbeque. The dining and relaxing furniture is typically rustic wood and/or wrought iron tables, benches, chairs. Look forward to the great evenings you will have there and feature wrought-iron candelabras for lighting.

If you have space for a water feature it can be a small fish pond or a small water feature made from old terracotta pots, it doesn't need to be big to have the desired effect. Of course if you do have the space for a larger feature then go for it, watch out for the pink flamingoes though!

You'll notice that there has been mention of terracotta once or twice already, so to get it out of the way you can use used and broken terracotta earthenware in as many ways as you can think of in your Mexican garden. You can put little cacti in them or herbs just go for it.

Which leads us onto cacti and plants. Lots of cacti and tropical type plants, if possible cultivate lemon, orange, nut or banana trees if your climate allows. A small vegetable garden is a must also and if you haven't grown your own vegetables before it is a great experience and they taste heaps better than what we get in most supermarkets. Go for well kept flowerbeds alsoo and large arrangements of hanging baskets. Some plants to consider are aloe vera (great healing properties), flowering agave, fuchsia, golden trumpet, hosta, orchid, acacia, caladium, rex-begonia vine, hibiscus and rex-begonia vine.

Props to consider are bright wall frescos, wrought iron gateways, pottery and ceramics painted with traditional designs, as well as Aztec style cushions and tablecloths if you wish. To make the evenings more pleasant you can put of a straw type roof on the entertaining area. This is best done using scaffold towers for your safety or that of any workers. When it is all finished sit down and enjoy a well deserved drink in your new garden.

Tips To Design A Mexican Style Garden

How to Build a Fountain From Three Garden Pots

Although the idea of using pots as garden fountains is not a new idea, I came across a way of building them that I hadn't seen before and would like to share that with you. The idea is simple. First you will have to choose the pots you will use for your fountain. You need a basin, a base and the pot you will use as the fountain. Choose the shape of the main fountain not only for its appearance but also how it will function. Smooth pots with very little taper on the bottom will be quieter as the water will cling to sides as it falls. Some pots have ridges or rings that will cause the water to fall off producing more sound.

You start with a large sized terracotta or stone bowl as your foundation. This will be the basin pot where the overflowing water will fall. Drill a hole out of the bottom center of the bowl if there isn't one already. Now take the cord from your pump and run it through the hole. For larger holes, cover with duct tape and fill with Bondo. Smaller holes can be filled in with silicon. When that has dried, coat the inside with a water sealant. Now you should be ready to place the basin in your desired location. Although not crucial, try to make the basin as level as possible.

The base pot is a pot that is turned upside down and houses the pump. Choose a pot that has a base diameter the same as the base diameter of the main fountain pot. Soak the pot overnight in water. This helps make it easier to cut notches around the top rim of the pot. These notches allow water to come in that gets pumped up through the fountain tube.

Cut a piece of tubing about a foot longer than the height of the fountain pot. Attach this to the pump. Now feed the base pot down over the tube through the hole in the bottom of the pot. Seal the gap around the tube with more silicon. Now you should have your basin with an upside down pot sitting in the middle of it with a pump inside and the tube sticking out the top of the base pot.

Now take your fountain pot and test fit it by feeding it down over the tube and placing it on top of the base pot. If everything looks good (it should be plumb and level with the tube sticking out the top higher than the height of the pot) you can take off the fountain pot and run two thick beads of silicon around the top of the base pot. Run one bead towards the outside to help hold the pots together and one on the inside to keep water from running in between the two pots.

Once everything has dried, fill with water and test. Now you will have to adjust the height of the tubing to get the desired effect you are looking for. Finish by filling in the basin with rocks.