Every J. Davis raku creation is a one-of-a-kind, handmade work of art, beautiful to look upon, but more wonderful to hold in your hand.
When ordering, please keep in mind that by the nature of raku, each InnerSpirit rattle or ornament is unique. Colors will vary, as explained in more detail at the bottom of this page. The photographs on this page are representative of our InnerSpirit Rattles & Ornaments, but are not the actual ones we'll send. To help you select, we're happy to email you pics of what we have in stock.
J. Davis Raku InnerSpirit Rattles No two are ever alike
J. Davis Dolphin Raku InnerSpirit Heart Rattle: Play
$29.95
STORYCARD READS: ''We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.'' `George Bernard Shaw Playful, energetic, and very social, dolphins are loved by all. Scientists have noted an increase in harmony between the left and right side of the human brain after contact with dolphins. Shake this innerSpirit Rattle to put you in the mind of play. **Order 3 dozen or more rattles and/or ornaments of any design and receive one free for each dozen ordered.
J. Davis Raku Dragonfly Heart Inner Spirit Rattle: Resiliency
$29.95
STORYCARD READS: Dragonflies were a recurring symbol in many Native American tribes. For the Navajo, they represented pure water, which endures no matter how often it changes form. The dragonfly has endured through the ages, since before the dinosaurs, and it's a beautiful symbol of resilience. Shake this innerSpirit Rattle to put you in the mind of resilience. **Order 3 dozen or more rattles and/or ornaments of any design and receive one free for each dozen ordered.
J. Davis Raku Smooth Heart Inner Spirit Rattle - Smooth Sailing
$29.95
STORYCARD READS: When times are rough and difficult, it's a comfort to touch something smooth and delicate to remind you of calmer times that lie ahead. Our Smooth design is beautiful in its simplicity and serves as a touchstone that carries you through even the stormiest seas towards smooth sailing. Shake this innerSpirit Rattle to put you in the mind of Smooth Sailing.
J. Davis Raku Bumble Bee InnerSpirit Rattle Heart: Wisdom
$29.95
STORYCARD READS: In ancient fables, bees were sacred and wise creatures, and a sign of good fortune. It was believed that bees were divine messengers, and that their steady hum was a hymn of praise. Shake this bee rattle to the rhythm of your favorite hymn or other music to help put you in a frame of mind that will make it easier for good things to fly into your life. Shake this innerSpirit Rattle to put you in the mind of wisdom. Dimensions:3'' Item Type:Handmade
J. Davis Raku Starry Starry Night Heart InnerSpirit Rattle
$29.95
STORYCARD READS: “It does me good to do what's difficult,'' Van Gogh wrote about the night sky in his Starry Night paintings, the inspiration for the swirling clouds of this rattle's design. ''That doesn't stop me from having a tremendous need for, shall I say the word - for religion - so I go outside at night to paint the stars.'' Shake this innerSpirit Rattle to put you in the mind of creativity. **Order 3 dozen or more rattles and/or ornaments of any design and receive one free for each dozen ordered.
J. Davis Raku Feather Dancing Heart InnerSpirit Rattle: Hopes & Dreams
$29.95
STORYCARD READS: ''Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul - and sings the tunes without the words - and never stops at all.” Emily Dickinson's words remind us that hope is never hampered by logic or cynicism. Keeping this rattle nearby reminds you during stressful times that fostering hope and faith is essential to you and everyone around you. Shake this innerSpirit Rattle to put you in the mind of hopes & dreams.
Dimensions:3'' X 3'' Item Type:Handmade Weight:1.00
A variety of common carp, Koi became prized in ancient times when color mutations changed their once brownish scales yellow, red, or blue. Vulnerable but strong, Koi became respected for their determined perseverance, and therefor represented courage in Japanese and Chinese folklore. Shake this innerSpirit Rattle to put you in the mind of courage & transition.
J. Davis Raku Hummingbird Whisperer InnerSpirit Heart Rattle: Strength & Recovery
$29.95
STORYCARD READS: Though they are the tiniest birds in the world, hummingbirds are independent, feisty, and ferocious. Agile and resilient creatures, during adverse conditions, hummingbirds enter a brief hibernation to reduce metabolism, but will soon recover when conditions improve. Shake this innerSpirit Rattle to put you in the mind of strength & recovery. **Order 3 dozen or more rattles and/or ornaments of any design and receive one free for each dozen ordered.
J. Davis Raku Frog InnerSpirit Heart Rattle: New Beginnings
$29.95
STORYCARD READS: The frog begins life as a slippery tadpole, and it transforms gradually into a little creature with two small legs, then into the four-legged creature we know. The frog’s transformation has given it an important role in folklore as an emblem of transformation, change, and beginning anew. Shake this innerSpirit Rattle to put you in the mind of play. **Order 3 dozen or more rattles and/or ornaments of any design and receive one free for each dozen ordered.
J. Davis Raku Butterfly Heart InnerSpirit Rattle: Encourage Good Health
$29.95
Be Mindful of Health Butterflies have been recognized for thousands of years as a symbol of reincarnation and an emblem of the living soul. One superstition says that a butterfly who enters your guestroom heralds the coming of the person you most love in the world. Scientifically, butterflies are an indicator of a diverse ecosystem and a healthy environment. Dimensions:3''
J. Davis Raku Moth Heart InnerSpirit Rattle: Determination & Faith
$29.95
STORYCARD READS: Moths have been on this earth nearly three times longer than butterflies. A melting pot of colors, shapes, and sizes, moths symbolize determination, attraction, spirituality, and faith. Besides being a crucial food source for birds and bats, these furry creatures of the night are significant pollinators picking up pollen from every flower they land on. Shake this innerSpirit Rattle to put you in the mind of determination & faith. Dimensions:3'' square Item Type:Handmade
J. Davis Raku Sea Turtle Square InnerSpirit Rattle: Endurance & Dependability
$29.95
STORYCARD READS: Sea turtles are long-lived. Over 110 million years ago, the family of sea turtles became distinct from all other turtles, and they've remained nearly unchanged for all that time. Patient, wise, and steadfast, their protective shells make them independent and strong, an emblem of longevity and stability in many cultures. Shake this innerSpirit Rattle to put you in the mind of endurance & independence. **Order 3 dozen or more rattles and/or ornaments of any design and receive one free for each dozen ordered.
J. Davis Raku Bumble Bee Square InnerSpirit Rattle: Wisdom
$29.95
STORYCARD READS: In ancient fables, bees were sacred and wise creatures, and a sign of good fortune. It was believed that bees were divine messengers, and that their steady hum was a hymn of praise. Shake this bee rattle to the rhythm of your favorite hymn or other music to help put you in a frame of mind that will make it easier for good things to fly into your life. Shake this innerSpirit Rattle to put you in the mind of wisdom. **Order 3 dozen or more rattles and/or ornaments of any design and receive one free for each dozen ordered.
J. Davis Raku Seahorse Square InnerSpirit Rattle: Tenacity & Good Fortune
$29.95
STORYCARD READS: In Greek mythology, seahorses pulled Neptune’s chariot, and seen as a symbol of strength. Some believed seahorses kept the souls of deceased sailors safe, so seahorses were seen as a good luck charm. Seahorses are not good swimmers. To prevent being washed away in a roiling sea, seahorses anchor themselves with their prehensile tail to coral or sea grass. Shake this innerSpirit Rattle to put you in the mind of tenacity & good fortune.
J. Davis Raku Starry Night Square InnerSpirit Rattle: Creativity
$29.95
STORYCARD READS: “It does me good to do what's difficult,'' Van Gogh wrote about the night sky in his Starry Night paintings, the inspiration for the swirling clouds of this rattle's design. ''That doesn't stop me from having a tremendous need for, shall I say the word - for religion - so I go outside at night to paint the stars.'' Shake this innerSpirit Rattle to put you in the mind of creativity. **Order 3 dozen or more rattles and/or ornaments of any design and receive one free for each dozen ordered.
J. Davis Raku Frog Square InnerSpirit Rattle: New Beginnings
$29.95
STORYCARD READS: The frog begins life as a slippery tadpole with gills, but transforms gradually into a little creature with two small legs, then into the four-legged creature we know. The frog's transformation has given it an important role in folklore as an emblem of transformation, change, and beginning anew. Shake this innerSpirit Rattle to put you in the mind of new beginnings. **Order 3 dozen or more rattles and/or ornaments of any design and receive one free for each dozen ordered.
J. Davis Raku Smooth Square InnerSpirit Rattle: Smooth Sailing
$29.95
STORYCARD READS: When times are rough and difficult, it's a comfort to touch something smooth and delicate to remind you of calmer times that lie ahead. Our Smooth design is beautiful in its simplicity and serves as a touchstone that carries you through even the stormiest seas towards smooth sailing. Shake this innerSpirit Rattle to put you in the mind of Smooth Sailing.
Dimensions:3'' X 3'' X 2'' Item Type:Handmade Weight:1.00
J. Davis Ceramic InnerSpirit Rattle Guardian Angel Heart: Miracles
$29.95
STORYCARD READS: Some believe that every human being and creature on earth has a guardian angel who is assigned to care for and safeguard each individual throughout life. Keep this angel rattle close at hand to remind you that miracles can happen. Relax to her soothing sound, be mindful of the beauty that surrounds you, and focus on your blessings in life. Shake this innerSpirit Rattle to put you in the mind of miracles. **Order 3 dozen or more rattles and/or ornaments of any design and receive one free for each dozen ordered.
Dimensions:2.75 X 2.75 Item Type:Handmade Weight:1.00
J. Davis Raku Single Mermaid Square InnerSpirit Rattle: Adventure
$29.95
STORYCARD READS: “I must be a mermaid, Rango. I have no fear of depths and a great fear of shallow living.” French author, Anais Nin's, endless quest for a deeply fulfilling, creative, and thoughtful life filled page upon page of her renowned diary. Shake this innerSpirit Rattle to put you in the mind of adventure.
J. Davis Raku Mermaid Sisters Square InnerSpirit Rattle: Adventure
$29.95
STORYCARD READS: “I must be a mermaid, Rango. I have no fear of depths and a great fear of shallow living.” French author, Anais Nin's, endless quest for a deeply fulfilling, creative, and thoughtful life filled page upon page of her renowned diary. Her wisdom inspired the creation of these mermaid sisters, who are never seen in the shallows. Shake this innerSpirit Rattle to put you in the mind of adventure. Dimensions:3 X 2 Item Type:Handmade
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Raku is a form of pottery developed in Japan in the 16th century in an endeavor to produce bowls to match the beauty and the gracefulness of their traditional green tea ceremony. The precise movements and slow pace of the ceremony are considered a form of meditation.
Calling for attainment of harmony, enlightenment, wisdom and compassion, the ritual is very spiritual. Enjoyment or Ease is the literal translation of the word Raku in Japanese.
The Raku firing is a very hands-on process. The pottery is light, delicate, and feels earthy to the touch.
Raku ware is removed from the kiln with long-handled tongs while still glowing red-hot, and quickly placed inside a metal can with a combustible material. J. Davis Studio uses locally recycled newspapers.
After the paper ignites, the container is closed tightly which causes a reduction of air. The lack of oxygen and smoke react with the glaze creating an unpredictable one-of-a-kind surface. When the can has cooled for a few minutes, the lid is opened and a burst of water is sprayed on the pieces to quickly freeze the luminescent colors.
Living in Far West Texas all his life has had a profound effect on John Davis’ pottery. The rugged beauty and history of the peaceful Big Bend region helped inspire John’s raku line. Inspiration comes from both the mountainous beauty, and the rich history associated with the area.
Even though the raku firing process originated in Japan, the rustic look creates the essence of an ancient civilization, like an artifact unearthed from a primitive Indian camp ground around the Rio Grande riverbed.
Many raku pieces break during the thermal shock treatment, so each surviving raku ware is truly a treasure to be cherished.