Post #498514 by MadDogMike on Fri, Dec 11, 2009 7:35 AM

Thank you, thank you, thank you all :)

I am a functional art kinda guy and I was intrigued by the “functionality” of the Pupu Platter so I thought I would see if I could make a ceramic one with an integrated ceramic hibachi. It turned out to be a Mad Tiki Laboratory experiment on many different levels, some of which were successes, some weren’t.

1 – Hand formed plate – FAILURE. I tried to slump form a plate over a dollar store plastic plate. It turned out with an uneven thickness and a wobbly edge. The optimal way to make this platter would be on a potter’s wheel but I don’t have good access to one. May have to make a plaster slump form instead of a plastic plate

2 – Marquesan Imagery – FAILURE. I don’t know, looks more MesoAmerican to me

3 – Surface decoration – Success. I tried what may be a new technique I’m calling “Dremel Sgraffito” :) Sgraffito is usually done by painting a contrasting colored slip over greenware then scratching the design into the wet clay. Instead, I fired it first then used a Dremel to etch the design

4 – Integrated Hibachi - Success. Holds a can of Sterno, the platter doesn't get too hot. I used a stainless steel shower strainer for the grill, when I do another Pupu Platter, I would like to try lost foam casting for a custom brass grill or a steel one cut with a CNC Plasma Cutter.

Overall, a good learning experience for me, got some more Pupu ideas planned