|
|
introducing
the uniquely gorgeous RAKU betta sculptures
|
|
BETTATALK is proud to bring you magnificent betta sculptures, the perfect gift for any betta lover.
Each Raku betta is hand made especially for
you upon your order. Each has a unique coloration. Color outcome is
pending on random combustion of rare earth metals and cannot be
duplicated. Hence, each Raku betta is uniquely beautiful and each is ONE OF A
KIND. Each piece is signed by
the artist.
A friend of mine told
me about this young talented American artist who was making beautiful
betta sculptures and right there and then I knew I had to order me one
:). It was shipped to me and when I opened my box and held the
sculpture in my own two hands for the first time I
became instantly convinced that these beauties had to be shared with the whole world
out there! So I stepped in and offered my help to the talented young
artist who created them.
|
|
After falling in love with the first RAKU
betta, I begged the artist to create a second RAKU betta. I am happy to
now offer both on this site. To date, only a handful of these bettas have
been produced and sold. So this is a rather limited edition! A LOT of work and love goes
into each of these bettas, still, in an effort to make them accessible to
all betta hobbyists out there, we have priced them at the severely darn
reasonable price of only $70 each plus shipping. Basically, DIRT CHEAP. Trust me, this
is a great deal, especially when you find out (below) how much work these
handcrafted bettas are to make!
Each Raku Betta is one of a kind and has
its own unique coloration. No two are alike. Each is handcrafted with the utmost
care and with the utmost love by their creator. I was fascinated by the
beautiful shiny finish as well as the vibrant metallic colors and texture
of the fins, and wondered what went into the making of these Raku bettas.
This is what I found out: |
 |
A Raku betta is hand sculpted by the
artist. Great attention is given to details. Look at the detail
on the gill opening and mouth! |
| |
 |
You
can even see the rays of this betta's fins! From that first sculpture, a mold is
made which will be used to create each subsequent sculpture.
Currently two
molds have been created, allowing two distinct RAKU bettas to be
produced. |
| |
|
A very high quality liquid clay called a slip is poured into the plaster
mold and sits in the mold until the clay is firm. Then artist takes the piece out and cleans it up and
adds on the all of the fine detail. It is dried and bisque fired. |
| |
 |
After this first process,
the artist hand paints on his own glaze. The raku betta is then
placed into the raku kiln (left), which slowly heats it up to a temperature of
no less than 1850F!!!
Left: This is what it looks like inside the
raku kiln
|
| |
 |
Now comes the most dangerous part: The raku betta is carefully
removed from the raku kiln with a pair of tongs. (hot hot hot!). The glaze
that was applied to the piece earlier is now bright red and glows,
for it has turned into liquid glass! (watch your fingers!) |
| |
|
To get those fabulous colors the artist now
has to work very fast. The raku betta is placed inside a metal garbage
can filled with shredded paper. When the red hot pottery comes into contact with the
paper, it bursts into flames up to 3 feet high! The fire burns up all the oxygen in the
can and in the molten glaze on the piece. In this glaze are some of the rarest
earth metals: Now molten hot and with out oxygen they randomly change
color, creating what is the most dynamic aspect of the raku betta |
|
|
A
RAKU betta is the perfect gift for the betta lover
in your life. |
|
|
This is a must have for any betta lover. You will get lots of
compliments about it, I know I have! And invariably, I find myself staring
at it and thinking: "God, bettas are magnificent!".
here are some
emails I received from
customers who purchased a RAKU betta:
| Faith!
What a fish! All the details
just like the web site had stated! His upturned nose, eyes, gill
slits, individual scales, and that beautiful tail! Bronze
body, glazed iridescent tail and "brackish water
below".
He sits in a lighted book case and
looks like a "museum piece", stately, proud and all Betta!
My co-workers have seen Mr. Raku and are awed at the artistry which
went into making him. They like the non shiny glaze on the body and
water as it makes him look more real! What a joy! Roland is a
talented artist and needs to be supported in his art! Great buy,
wonderful Christmas present, birthday or a "just because".
Thanks!
|
Dear
Faith,
Raku Betta arrived. He is beautiful, gray, green,
blue, red, with bronze upper fin. Sits in place of honor on top shelf of lighted oak cabinet
with all glass antiques. Just beautiful.
Thanks so much, he is lovely, unique, and one of a kind.
Sandy Eubanks |
Faith,
Thank you for sharing this beautiful find with us. I
received my Raku Betta last week and it is just amazing!!
The colors are gorgeous and so unique! Every detail is
so precise...from the little down-turned mouth to the
pectoral fins and scales. He is beautiful!!
Thanks again! |
Two
poses, two Raku bettas ("Splendens" and
"Flare") to pick from :). Made on the same scale, so
you can place them side by side on a shelf :). Same ridiculously
low price.
Each unique, each
handcrafted and each gorgeous.
This is the PERFECT gift for the betta lover in your household!
Trust me on this one: THEY WILL LOVE IT... So spoil someone you
love (or spoil yourself hehehehe) and we promise you will not have
to smash your piggy bank for this wonderful treat!
And remember, when you order a Raku betta, you are also helping a young,
talented, struggling artist out there to create and make more gorgeous
betta sculptures for all of us betta addicts to enjoy! Thank you for
your support.
to
order click here
|
|
|
