Kintsugi is a Japanese technique of mending broken pottery, using urushi lacquer and gold powder. The art of kintsugi shows us how to embrace imperfections while it invites personal healing.
The traditional method takes months to finish, but there is now a new type of urushi that makes this process faster and more accessible. No prior experience is necessary. This is as much about learning to think generatively amidst a broken world as it is in making a final product.

This is a two-part class held on Thursday, April 8 and April 15 from 7-10 PM. Please plan to attend both sessions. 

In this 100% online 2 session class, we will use this new urushi to mend a broken pottery that you will supply yourself. So start saving any broken pottery around the house! The Kintsugi Kit is included in the registration, which you can use for more mending after the workshop. It includes new laquer urushi, faux gold powder (brass), brush, glue, resin, sandpaper. The kit is from Culture Care Creative and uses authentic New Urushi (Japan lacquer). It was made in collaboration between Mako Fujimura and Kunio Nakamura who carefully gathered materials in Japan.  You will also receive exclusive introductory videos from Mako Fujimura who has extensive training in the art of 16th and 17th century Japanese art (Nihonga).

 
*Important: Participants must be able to pick up the Kintsugi kit at Saddleback Church Lake Forest campus prior to the workshop. We will share the exact location after your registration.

We ask each participant to provide the following: 
— a broken pottery (chip on the rim is the ideal for beginners. Broken pottery of up to 5 pieces are good. Completely shattered pottery and hairline cracks only are not suitable for this type of Kintsugi. If possible, a plate or shallow bowl are easier to mend than a mug or vase.) 
— Masking tape
— Lighter fluid (Or nail polish remover, or mineral spirits, or kerosene, or turpentine, or terpenoid, etc) to dilute the urushi – just a little bit. 
— Xacto (craft) knife or putty knife
— Toothpicks/chopsticks/cotton swabs
— Wet wipes, wet paper towels, and/or tissue papers to wipe/clean tools and hands
— Very small dish or container x 2 (one for water, one for urushi)

If you have any questions about the materials or pottery you will use, please contact miyasilversmith@gmail.com
The classes will be taught by Miya Smith with assistance from Jason Leith, Michelle Lum and Jim Dobbs.

Your Zoom link will be shared on the week of the class.

We look forward to exploring with you the beautiful metaphors and healing this artform brings!

Can't make these dates? Here's the link to the same class on Saturday 4/17 + 4/24 : https://tinyurl.com/r2trucxv