June 2025 Craft: Kintsugi
By Major Tammy Ray, Sara Ray and Carol World
Redding, CA Corps – Del Oro Division
Kintsugi is an artistic technique of repairing broken pottery in a way that enhances imperfections in a beautiful way. This traditional Japanese artform uses a precious metal, such as liquid gold or silver to bring together the broken pieces and fill in the gaps of a damaged piece of pottery. It strengthens and adds value and beauty, but it doesn’t take away the original purpose or look of the piece. The art of Kintsugi is often referred to as “The Art of Embracing Brokenness” or “The Art of Precious Scars.” This is the perfect way to illustrate how God takes our imperfections, our brokenness, our scars and makes them into artistic expressions of His grace in our lives, while keeping the best part of our beauty intact.
Supplies:
- Pottery
- Hammer
- Hot Glue Gun
- Gold or silver paint pen
- Clear Coat Spray or Modge Podge
Process:
- Check out Thrift Stores for pottery pieces. This could be a fun outing for your group in preparation of this craft.
- Place the pottery piece in a shoe box size plastic tub. This keeps all of the broken pieces together and doesn’t get mixed with someone else’s project.
- Use the hammer to break the pottery.
- Use the hot glue gun (the high heat setting, so be careful!) to piece the pottery back together.
- When set, use the paint pens to cover the glued cracks.
- Use a clear coat spray or Modge Podge to seal and protect your project.
- Place your finished Kintsugi art project in a place that will remind you that YOU are forgiven, redeemed, and reconciled into a beautiful piece of art.
Download printable instructions for this craft:
