Process
• Ocarinas •
The ocarina is a type of vessel flute, variations of which have been created for thousands of years. Each of Tim's ocarinas is a unique individual, but belongs to a family of similarly shaped critters. They are unglazed, but many have a glazed, impressed decoration pattern that provides some color and additional character. They use an English 6-hole pendant design and range from baby soprano ocarinas, only a few inches long, to large bass ocarinas, over 8 inches long (not including the tail!).
They are created by pinching a hollow form from a ball of clay. Once it has been closed up, a wooden paddle is used to create the basic shape. A rubber rib refines the shape as it dries, after which the sound holes are added, followed by the spikes, ears, tail, and other features. Finally, each ocarina has a pattern impressed with a rubber tool, into which glaze is painted during the glazing step. See below to hear some example ocarinas in action.