LAVA TABLE
Designing a table top out of lava.
Leg ideation
The problem with the lava is that when it cools, it cracks.
What if there was a way to gradually cool the lava using a kiln so that it cools evenly?
After two failed attempts, I changed strategies….
I placed chicken wire into the welded box to create structure for the lava.
After the pour, the piece maintained its shape after annealing in the kiln for 48 hours.
Though I’m glad this piece stayed together, I felt like the table top looked like the corner piece of a brownie. I wanted to try another design for the lava table top.
Lava explored further - creating my own pigment out of lava to create a table top finish.
After the lava pour I collect, wash, and dry the cooled lava rocks.
I put the rocks into a bag to crush with a sledgehammer until the pieces are small.
I then crushed the lava rocks down to a fine powder and mixed the powder with a two part epoxy to pour onto the wooden table top slab
