Ceramic Flower Crafting Process

1:Conceptualization & Design

- election:  

Determine flower species; observe real flower structures (petals, leaves, stamens, stems).  

- Theme:  

Define artistic theme (blooming, budding, withering, etc.).  

- Composition:  

Plan overall form, flower arrangement, and branch structure.  

- Sketch/Model:   

  Create sketches or clay models for prototyping.  

2:Material Preparation  

- Porcelain Clay:  

    Select kaolin ("Guanyin Clay"), processed by washing, settling, and aging.  

- Glaze:    

  Prepare "Jade White Glaze" (transparent).  

- Tools:  

  Bamboo knives, carving tools, shaping sticks, molds, needles, brushes, etc.  

3. Shaping (Core Process) 

- Petals:  Roll clay into ultra-thin sheets (0.1-0.3 mm) → Cut contours → hand-carve veins → Shape curves → Air-dry to leather-hard state.  

- Stamens:   Twist clay into filaments/beads; dot glaze for pollen effect.  

- Leaves:  Same as petals; imprint leaf veins.  

- Stems:  Roll clay strips → Carve bark texture → Insert wire armature (anti-deformation).  

- Assembly:   Assemble with dilute clay slurry → Layer petals from center outward → Attach leaves/stems → Support with clay props.  

4. Refinement & Drying  

- Detailing:  

  Smooth joints

→ Deepen textures

→ Adjust forms.  

- Drying:  

  Air-dry for 7-30 days (shaded, ventilated, crack prevention).  

5. Glazing  

- Cleaning:  

  Remove dust with soft brush.  

- Application:  

  - Dip-glazing:  For simple structures.  

  - Spray-glazing: (Primary method) For intricate details.  

  - Brush-glazing: For touch-ups.  

- Foot Trimming:    Scrape glaze off base to prevent kiln adhesion.  

6. Kiln Loading  

- Positioning:  

  Place on refractory shelves

→ Optimize heat distribution.  

7. Firing (Critical Phase)

- Temperature Profile:  

  -Low temp (RT~400°C): Slow heating for dehydration.  

  - Mid temp (400~900°C): Controlled ramp to prevent cracks.  

  - High temp (1280~1400°C):  Fuel-rich oxygen-deficient combustion → CO removes iron impurities → Creates "Ivory White" hue.  

   - Soaking: Sustain heat for vitrification.  

- Cooling:  Slow cooling through 800~500°C quartz inversion zone (prevents shivering).  

8.Unloading & Inspection

- Unloading:  

  Extract after full cooling (>24 hrs).  

- Criteria:  

  - Integrity (no cracks/collapse) → Glaze (even, jade-like) → Form (no warping) → Whiteness/Translucency.  

- Yield:  

  <20% for high-end pieces.  

9. Finishing (Optional) 

- Overglaze Painting:  

  Paint stamens → Refire at 700~800°C.  

Not a living bloom, yet one that never fades.

Core Craftsmanship  

- Thin: Petal thinness (01.~0.3mm).

- Precision: Microscopic texture carving.  

- Ingenuity: Structural balance in assembly.  

- Purity: "China Colors" from reduction firing.

- Stability: Precise drying/firing control.  

Collections