Hand Sculptured Stoneware Art
Welcome to the wonderful world of Violet's Creations!
My name is Violet Bifulk (it's pronounced "bye-folk"). Thank you for visiting my website so that I can share my work with you. Everything I make is completely handmade -- just my two hands and a lump of clay.
My work can be displayed in many places. My jewelry can be displayed around your neck, attached to your clothing or fastened to your ears. My sculptured faces can be displayed in home, office and garden. My "critters" can be placed around your garden or a treasured place within your home. If so desired, most all of my work can be left outside all year long, as they are completely weatherproof.
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How They are Made
All of my work is handbuilt from stoneware. Each piece is "fired" twice using kilns -- the first time, at a low temperature, about 900 degrees, with the second final at a high 1,800 - 2,400 degress Fahrenheit for 24 hours.
During this process, the clay shrinks and hardens until vitrification occurs; this term refers to the clay no longer being able to absorb moisture. This makes the piece completely waterproof and safe for display outdoors in any climate. The finished work is referred to as ceramic stoneware and is capable of existing unchanged for thousands of years.
Some of my work is Raku fired. This firing process, borrowed from the ancient Japanese technique known as Rakuyaki, is known as Western Raku. The final firing is done at a lower temperature and for less time. The pieces are not waterproof and thus are unsafe for year long display in colder climates. This limitation, however, is offset by the results. The Raku firing creates many beautiful effects that are not possible to achieve in other ways: brilliant metallic luster, interesting crackling and other worldly colors.
How You Can Purchase My Work
I try to have a largish volume of unique pieces available for purchase. If you see something in this site that you would like, please call or email me. If the piece is sold out, I can make a similar piece in 6-8 weeks.
Another way to purchase my work is through art shows. I do 10 - 15 shows each year. Show postings are listed as soon as they are scheduled. See the Shows & Events page in this site for a listing.
Finally, you can see my work at certain galleries in the Twin Cities of Minnesota and surrounding areas. The following are these galleries.
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