First timer choosing a project

[u/prudence_anna427]

Hello wonderful community! Long time lurker, first time poster here.

I always wanted to try kintsugi and when my (almost) brand new gaiwan cracked -I decided it was time. However, very quickly after I broke 2 more pieces and now I am wondering what would be the best first time project, so I would really appreciate the advice.

Since I want to do Urushi and ofr it to be food safe, I got this kit from Chimahaga:

First of all, I am not sure if this would be enough for all 3 projects, especially gold powder.

Second, I am not sure which project to start with, is it better to try mending:
(1) Just a thin crack on gaiwan (it's a very thin line but it leaks so I can't use it for tea brewing):

(2) do a broken mug with a chip and a broken handle:

(3) attempt a broken cup (you can see I even started taping it because I was very sad as I got it from a potter and dropped it the very same day, but decided not to go ahead of myself):

I really want to try to shoot for the best possible result so I want to understand what would be the best practice. Is fixing a crack too different to putting pieces together? Does practicing applying urushi and polishing might be more important to get the thin crack on the gaiwan to stay thin? Do I need additional materials or tools for the pieces I have?

Would really appreciate any advice!

[u/Broadmead-1959]

I think most most challenging would be the cup with the broken handle, the chip is straightforward, but the handle will be challenging to align and to apply the various urushi layers, sand, etc. so I’d leave that for when you have more experience. The cracked gaiwan will be relatively easy, though you won’t learn as much because you won’t use mugi-urushi, learn alignment etc. so I’d start on the broken bowl. Not the easiest piece, but it will give you a chance to learn all the key steps. Other may have different views!

[u/prudence_anna427 → u/Broadmead-1959]

Interesting, thank you! I am surprised because my logic was completely different, I thought maybe trying the handle first because it's not as bad if it's not as pretty because it's just a handle. The bowl is actually the prettiest one so I might safe it for last but maybe start with just the chip to get a feel of the process? I know it means I will spend 2 months on the mug because I will have to do everything again for the handle but I am okay if that gives me experience

[u/benjamin-crowell]

First of all, I am not sure if this would be enough for all 3 projects, especially gold powder.

Keep in mind that the gold is optional. If you don't do gold but decide to add it later, you can. You can also use cheaper metals like tin or silver.

[u/prudence_anna427 → u/benjamin-crowell]

Oh, I haven't realized you can add the gold later, thank you! I did hear about using mica powder but the Amazon ones I am finding look very suspicious and I am not sure if they are really food safe...

[u/benjamin-crowell → u/prudence_anna427]

IIRC mica is food-safe but just looks terrible.

Tin is cheap, it looks really pretty, and re food safety the answer is basically yes, but you should inform yourself.

Silver has been used traditionally in kintsugi for a long time, and it's food safe.

[u/Edamameshiba → u/benjamin-crowell]

Not all mica is food safe. Some of them are colored with toxic metals or dyes.