Discovering the Beauty of Sicilian Ceramic Beads
When I hear the word ceramics, it often conjures up images of hobby ceramics from the 1960s and 70s when everyone seemed to be taking ceramic classes, crafting Christmas trees, quirky frog-shaped sponge holders, and a myriad of other creative pieces.
However, ceramics in Sicily (and throughout Italy) offer a completely different experience. My husband and I were fortunate to spend time in “la bella Italia” during May and June of this year, and it was there that I fell head over heels for Sicilian ceramics. I loved the platters and pitchers in shop windows, but my mind’s eye was fixated on one thing: ceramic beads.
After numerous inquiries with ceramic producers, I finally discovered a producer in Caltagirone, Sicily, who was willing to create beads to my exact specifications. This particular producer adorns their beads with hand-painted black designs. I requested a white background with beads in various shades of blue, red, black, pink, and green. (By the way, pink and green were the trendy colors adorning shop windows throughout Italy. You can take a look at some photos of these vibrant displays by clicking here.)
Let’s explore the intricate process behind crafting Sicilian ceramic beads:
First, skilled artisans work the clay by hand, meticulously shaping perfect spheres. These clay balls are then pierced and left to dry.
After a few days, the now-dry clay balls are subjected to firing in an oven at 1000˚, transforming them into terracotta.
Once cooled, these terracotta beads are carefully glazed with a delicate layer of fine glass powder, which is left to dry.
The beads then undergo meticulous hand-retouching to achieve the utmost perfection before being painted by hand, one by one.
Subsequently, the beads return to the 1000˚ oven, resulting in a brilliant, shiny finish that marks the completion of the intricate process.
I’ve chosen to craft individual pendants from these exquisite Sicilian ceramic beads. Each bead is enhanced with Czechoslovakian crystal rondelles and two small gemstone beads. These ceramic bead pendants elegantly hang from an adjustable cord, available in both black and white.
Are you a minimalist at heart? Wear this necklace on its own, allowing it to shine as a singular statement piece. If you belong to the “more is more” camp, consider layering this necklace with other treasures from your jewelry collection.
