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In an innovative yet realistic process, Ronda Borberg-Shulenburg turns opaque, malleable, silky smooth porcelain clay into impenetrable and sometimes translucent functional forms. 

The process began in elementary school with pinch pots and progressed in college where Borberg-Shulenburg learned throwing on the wheel. Functional Porcelain Artware satisfies both her creative nature and her practical side.  

Although you see the final form in her Artware, the journey from clay to a vessel which holds food and water is long.  Beginning with sketchbook designs, ideas develop and evolve before the clay is brought to the wedging table. She throws many of the same forms using a kick wheel but each will differ from its companions. 

Various techniques are used to modify the surface of the porcelain.  Oriental floral motifs maybe etched into the clay using sharp metal tools.  Shells and other found objects are often pressed against the surface to fabricate impressions of either intricate or whimsical designs.   Once glazed, each piece of Artware is again allowed to air dry and then reduction fired for eleven to fourteen hours in a gas kiln to 2400 degrees F.

Ranging from the practical to the decorative, Borberg-Shulenburg has been experimenting with vast variety of techniques to enhance her porcelain line of work.

More information about Ronda Borberg-Shulenburg and her work can be found at www.OptionsinPorcelain.com