Sgraffito (sɡraˈfiːtəʊ)

noun

1. a form of decoration made by scratching through a surface to reveal a lower layer of a contrasting colour, typically done in slip on ceramics before firing.Inspired by the contrast of white slip on terracotta and black slip on stoneware, sgraffito has been the main decoration so far this year.In domestic ware, jugs are featuring largely along with small coffee cups which lend themselves well to the sgraffito decoration.Bolstered by the warmer weather, I have made a series of big moulded bowls and bird baths to get water in to the garden for bird and insect life. I have had fun making lots of small garden birds and researching and copying their markings to link with the bird baths.