My first Kintsugi repair is complete. The whole process took a month , and I believe it could have taken longer. I had no experience and I interpreted some things in my own way – hastily . And that is exactly my lesson in Kintsugi . Perhaps it was this need to learn patience and precision that attracted me to traditional repair – traditional healing .

The lesson is clear: patience, time, gradualness .

How did I experience my first Kintsugi process?

Since this was my first traditional Kintsugi repair , I approached it with a degree of caution, but also expecting all sorts of outcomes - from complete failure to triumph. In the end, my first fix turned out to be just mine – functional but imperfect, with a touch of imperfection almost bordering on failure (hahaha).

I didn't rush into it in theory – I carefully studied the video instructions, texts and advice from the manufacturer. But in practice, my character took its toll. I tried to speed up the process , believing that it might work. I'm often lucky, but this time I ran into obstacles.

What did I learn?

• I don't know enough about the materials and I don't know exactly how they should look in certain stages.

• Some phases are taking longer than I expected.

• Due to the size of the break and the object, I should have broken the repair into multiple stages instead of attempting everything at once.

• The process is extremely meditative, reflective and requires presence .

The culmination of nervousness – applying gold

The whole process was almost solemn, a healing ceremony . But instead of culminating in a golden glow, my final step turned into a culmination of nervousness . I realized that what I was supposed to be doing – applying the gold powder – I was failing to do properly .

What went wrong?

• The red urushi was too wet and perhaps too thick .

• I didn't get the timing of applying the gold right , so I panicked and tapped, creating exactly the effect I needed to avoid.

• The gold was smeared instead of adhering nicely to the surface .

  
  

It's all part of learning . For every first time, there's a second, even a hundredth . And that makes me happy! My next Kintsugi project is more serious and bigger , and now I know I'll approach it with more patience and precision.

✨ Because Kintsugi is not just about repair – it's a story of personal growth through breakage.

In the next blog I will review the Tsugu Tsugu Kintsugi Beginner Kit that I used for my first Kintsugi repair. More information about the materials I used can be found at: Tsugu Tsugu .