Best of luck

The story behind these “fingers crossed” ceramic sculptures.

Who made them? Bolden Ceramics, a.k.a. Jen Collins of Toronto (via Scotland). How did she make them? “One of the reasons I started playing with clay was to slow down—nothing can be completed in a day. The whole process for these particular pieces can take just over a week. Each piece is formed by hand in porcelain clay, with details added using a tiny brush, and then bisque fired once it’s dry enough. When it comes out of the kiln, I apply a glaze coating and then it’s fired again at a much higher temperature. When it comes out of the second firing, it’s complete.” Does that ever go wrong? “So many things can go wrong—the piece can crack when drying, explode in the kiln or be accidentally broken— that it’s a relief to get to the end of the process and have things work out. My least-favourite part of the process is glazing; it’s the last stage where I feel I have control over the outcome, so to take a piece out of the kiln and find that the glaze is too thick or too thin—or that it cracked or ran—feels like falling at the last hurdle!” Why did she make them? “I was looking at making a ceramic version of gestures that symbolize luck; whilst not universal (the gesture is used to excuse white lies), the act of crossing your fingers is widely used and recognized as a means of wishing for good fortune.” But will it change a person’s life? “I can’t promise this piece will solve your problems, but sometimes it’s helpful to have something as a reminder to step back and take a breath before taking control of a situation and hopefully creating your own luck.” ($55 to $70, boldenceramics.com) h