Ceramic Art Fountains!
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As the name "Just Add Water" implies, my mission is to create unique vessels through which the mystic and life-giving element water can "play". |
Cradled in this wet element, Florida brings forth a breathtaking bounty of flora and fauna. Perceiving and appreciating these gifts of nature as well as the beauty in the myriad objects of everyday life is the wellspring of my inspiration. |
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Defining and understanding this intangible quality remains a divine mystery and challenge to me as I investigate the line of form, the surface character, the color, the symmetry or asymmetry of an object; all components and contributors to the function and visual aesthetics of a fountain. |
Each piece is carefully engineered to create a particularly pleasing flow of water: "water music to the ears" so to speak. The soothing sound of cascading water melts away the stresses of the day! |
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Each of my fountains is hand built, putting all my love in it, and fired in an electric kiln to cone 6. The coloration is a result of multiple layers of glaze. |
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Description of Work:
All work is wheel-thrown or slab-built using white or speckled brown stoneware and glazed using a multi-layered combination of commercial high fire glazes.
The clay is cut freehand from soft slabs and worked onto a variety of forms to provide support while drying. Internal water ways are then added to the resulting vessels. When the basic vessel is leather hard, external waterways, e.g. a lizard or flower spout and/or cascading blossoms and a variety of free-formed ornaments such as leaves, flowers, animals (lizards, frogs, butterflies, birds) are added. The bone dry vessel is then carefully sanded to smooth the surface and underglazes are applied to curtain areas.
After bisque fire to cone 06 (1820°F), the vessel is glazed using a multi-layered combination of commercial high fire glazes.
The final glaze firing is taken to cone 6 (2200°F) using a controlled slow cool down program. Lately I've been experimenting with an additional layer of low fire glazes on top of the already fired high fire glaze, then firing to cone 05.
Depending on the final function as a tabletop fountain, garden fountain, picture fountain, wall fountain, wall corner fountain or pet drinking fountain, I assemble the pump and the internal water hose(s).
Some fountains are equipped with an internal light that illuminates the structure through the falling water. Others also contain crystal strands over which the water flows. Both of these features add to the ambience of the room in which the fountain is placed.
Ceramic pet drinking fountains are equipped with two filters, a pre-filter (stainless steel net) to catch bigger particles before they reach the reservoir and the submersible pump, and a charcoal filter to remove bad taste and odor.
Picture fountains are wall fountains with a fully functional ceramic core placed in a 4 inch deep shadowbox containing additional lights and the needed electrical installation behind a frame. These fountains hang on the wall like a picture.
Ebi's Ceramic Pet Drinking Fountains
Why do animals love running water? In nature, moving water is much fresher than stagnant water. The movement constantly breaks the surface tension of the water and draws oxygen from the air into the water. This process is called aeration and it makes water more appealing to drink. Pets may be drawn by instinct to moving water for this reason.
My Pet Water Fountains are a great way to show your cats and dogs just how much you care. Research shows that one of the best ways to improve your pet's health is to get them to drink more water. And the best way to do that is with one of my Ceramic Pet Fountains. By using a falling stream of water, my Pet Fountains continually aerate your pet's water with healthful oxygen.
That's just one of the many reasons why my pet fountains are more than works of art, even though, of course, they are also useable as decorative, environment-enhancing table top fountains.
My ceramic pet fountains filters and aerates continuously moving water to keep it much fresher than standing bowl water. The falling action aerates the water and the movement is attractive to a dog's or cat's instinctive search for fresh water. It satisfies the urge for running water.
My ceramic pet fountains have two filters, a pre-filter (stainless steel mesh) to catch bigger particles before they reach the inner fine filter, the reservoir and the submersible pump, and a 2-way or 3-way replacement filter to remove fine particles, bad tastes and odors, giving your pet the best possible - and most appealing - way to stay hydrated.
The charcoal filter I use is a Standard Replacement Filter for Drinkwell Pet Fountains. It is a quick-change filter used to capture debris and filter water, keeping it clean and fresh for your pet. According to the manufacturer they should be changed every four to eight weeks depending on the size and number of pets using the fountain.
Unlike plastic pet fountains that develop cracks, this drinking fountain is made from durable, nonporous dinnerware-safe glazed stoneware that mitigates bacteria growth. Ceramic resists bacteria, commonly found on porous plastic surfaces. The ceramic drinking fountain enables simple, thorough cleaning.