| Handmade Stoneware sinks and Custom Built Vanities, BUILT WITH COMFORT, QUALITY, AND ECOLOGY IN MIND. |
| Ecology and Social Concerns… Vermont Art Sinks artist, E. C. Racicot, is an Artisan with a social conscience. Before deciding to create bathroom cabinet bases, Ed thought first about where the wood for the project would come from. |
| Stoneware Vessels... Artist, Edward Racicot, starts with his own unique blend of stoneware clays to make each pottery sink by hand on the potters' wheel. Because the sinks are made of ceramic stoneware, each is extremely durable, comparable to the china sinks found in most bathrooms. Quality is paramount in both our Stoneware sinks and vanities. All our bathroom sinks are guaranteed to be compatible with standard US plumbing. All of our work carries a full three year warranty against manufacturing defects. |
About the Artist...
Edward Weston wrote “ I would say to any artist – don’t be repressed in your work – dare to
experiment, consider any urge – if in a new direction – all the better! Our time is becoming
more and more bound by logic, absolute rationalism! This is a strait jacket – it is the
boredom – narrowness which rises directly from mediocre mass thinking! The great
scientist dares to differ from accepted facts – let the artist do likewise.”
It is from this quote that Ed Racicot draws his inspiration and formed his views on working as
an artist. Daring to be different, Ed’s goal is not to make as much art as possible, but
instead to create a few finely made examples of art that please him. If these pieces are
appealing to you, then all the better.
Graduating with Honors in Art, and winning an Art scholarship in high school, Ed graduated
with his BA (Magna Cum Laude) from Johnson State College. He also holds an AS in
Business Management.
Many custom furniture makers use wood that is ‘new growth’ or forested in an earth friendly
manner. Vermont Art Sinks takes that to a new level, using as much recycled wood products in the
frame construction of our vanities as possible.
Much of the wood that is used to make the frame for the base cabinets comes from a Burlington,
Vermont business called Recycle North. Recycle North accepts donations from contractors, re-
modelers, homeowners, or anyone that has building products that are in reusable condition.
Landfill diversion is one of their primary focuses.
Once Recycle North rescues the lumber they, and their associates, clean and process the lumber,
readying it for resale. This process keeps a lot of good lumber out of the solid waste stream; It also
helps keep a steady supply of affordable building materials available to Vermonters, thereby
offering them the opportunity to make improvements to their homes that otherwise might be out of
reach. See Recycle North's website for more information on their mission.
While Recycle North is the supplier for most of the lumber used in the framing of the cabinets, as
well as many of the hard woods that are used on the face (outside) of the cabinets, most of the soft
wood face lumber comes from old barns and out-buildings that are being torn down in the
Chittenden County area of Vermont.
manner. Vermont Art Sinks takes that to a new level, using as much recycled wood products in the
frame construction of our vanities as possible.
Much of the wood that is used to make the frame for the base cabinets comes from a Burlington,
Vermont business called Recycle North. Recycle North accepts donations from contractors, re-
modelers, homeowners, or anyone that has building products that are in reusable condition.
Landfill diversion is one of their primary focuses.
Once Recycle North rescues the lumber they, and their associates, clean and process the lumber,
readying it for resale. This process keeps a lot of good lumber out of the solid waste stream; It also
helps keep a steady supply of affordable building materials available to Vermonters, thereby
offering them the opportunity to make improvements to their homes that otherwise might be out of
reach. See Recycle North's website for more information on their mission.
While Recycle North is the supplier for most of the lumber used in the framing of the cabinets, as
well as many of the hard woods that are used on the face (outside) of the cabinets, most of the soft
wood face lumber comes from old barns and out-buildings that are being torn down in the
Chittenden County area of Vermont.
Even once planed and milled, the unique look and feel of used, weathered wood is not easily duplicated by modern techniques. It
cannot be mistaken for the distressed wood (wood made to look old) now coming from abroad.
While Vermont Art Sinks sells the sinks they make to mount on any base cabinet, we also makes wooden base cabinets. While
deciding to make the base cabinets for his stoneware vessels, Ed thought first about his passion for the environment. He wanted
his wood working to be as considerate to the planet as it could be. Therefore, Ed only uses as much recycled wood products in the
wooden bases that he creates as possible, while considering the customer's wants and needs.
deciding to make the base cabinets for his stoneware vessels, Ed thought first about his passion for the environment. He wanted
his wood working to be as considerate to the planet as it could be. Therefore, Ed only uses as much recycled wood products in the
wooden bases that he creates as possible, while considering the customer's wants and needs.
Packing & Shipping Materials...
Vermont Art Sinks uses recycled rigid foams to pack the ceramic sinks (and accessories) we send out to our customers. We use this
already used polystyrene, because it provides excellent protection from breakage for our product. And, by using a recycled packaging
material, we do not create demand for new disposable packaging materials.
For our cardboard boxes, we use a combination of new and used products. Many of the boxes we use have been used before (you
may see names of the previous products inhabitants on the recycled box). While our primary goal is to make sure that your products
arrive safely, without damage, we also try to cut down on the amount of virgin packing material we use.
As McDonald's Restaurant discovered late in the last century, the use of polystyrene foam products is an excellent, efficient way to
package materials, but back then they carried a horrible ecological crutch with them. A lot has changed in 20+ years, and we are now
able to recycle this once non-recyclable product. Do try to recycle packaging materials that you get from us. Think about its possible
uses before you throw it away. Contact your local recycling center to see what can be recycled in your geographic area.
The more uses we can get from a product, once it has already been made, cuts down on its initial environmental footprint.
Thanks go to Gardener's Supply Company , in Essex Junction Vermont, for both rigid foam and used cardboard boxes.
Vermont Art Sinks uses recycled rigid foams to pack the ceramic sinks (and accessories) we send out to our customers. We use this
already used polystyrene, because it provides excellent protection from breakage for our product. And, by using a recycled packaging
material, we do not create demand for new disposable packaging materials.
For our cardboard boxes, we use a combination of new and used products. Many of the boxes we use have been used before (you
may see names of the previous products inhabitants on the recycled box). While our primary goal is to make sure that your products
arrive safely, without damage, we also try to cut down on the amount of virgin packing material we use.
As McDonald's Restaurant discovered late in the last century, the use of polystyrene foam products is an excellent, efficient way to
package materials, but back then they carried a horrible ecological crutch with them. A lot has changed in 20+ years, and we are now
able to recycle this once non-recyclable product. Do try to recycle packaging materials that you get from us. Think about its possible
uses before you throw it away. Contact your local recycling center to see what can be recycled in your geographic area.
The more uses we can get from a product, once it has already been made, cuts down on its initial environmental footprint.
Thanks go to Gardener's Supply Company , in Essex Junction Vermont, for both rigid foam and used cardboard boxes.
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Ed makes each sink using a unique blend of clays that he developed for both strength and durability. He then throws each stoneware
pottery sink by hand on the Potter’s Wheel. While forming the ceramic sink, Ed makes sure the shape is both functional and pleasing
to the eye, while also taking exacting pains to ensure drain holes will match pluming fixtures once the vessels have shrunk (a normal
part of both the drying and firing process) to their final size.
Once he has crafted the ceramic sink on the Potter’s Wheel, the sinks are put aside to dry to a state called ‘leather hard’. Depending on
humidity, it takes about three days to achieve this state. Once leather hard, another day is spent trimming the stoneware pottery sinks.
It is here that Ed puts the final touches on the piece to perfect the shape. This is also the last opportunity to affect the pliable clay.
Trimmed, the ceramic sinks are then left to slowly dry, for up to three weeks. When bone dry (no longer cool to the touch), the pottery
sinks are again placed on the Potter’s Wheel where they artfully receive their glazes (colors). To glaze the ceramic sinks, Ed uses a
technique that he learned from a fellow potter (George Scatchard). This glazing technique requires a great deal of skill since glazes are
applied while the bathroom sink is spinning on the wheel, using a brush and an applicator. This method demands an exact application
and can take many years to perfect. It is one of the reasons that Ed’s work shows unique depth, and striping, and why he is able to once
fire his work (no bisque firing). Skipping this bisque firing saves about 70% of the energy used in a glaze fire.
After glazes are applied, another day is spent drying the stoneware pottery sinks. When dry, the art sink then goes into the kiln, where it
fires to over 2200 degrees. This firing takes place over a period of 18 hours. A slow firing time enhances the colors on the ceramic
sinks as well as adds to their durability and hardness. A well balanced clay body, slow firing and slow cooling all add to the excellent
thermal shock properties of Ed’s clay body (thermal shock resistance is what keeps the ceramic sink from breaking as you go from cold
water to boiling hot or vice versa allowing it to expand and contract with the glaze as one). In each kiln load there are usually about three
unique bathroom sinks as well as a few accessories and some glaze tests. Fully fired, the kiln and its load of stoneware sinks has to
cool. Cooling the kiln takes about 15 hours. The Vermont Art Sinks are then ready to receive their drains.
pottery sink by hand on the Potter’s Wheel. While forming the ceramic sink, Ed makes sure the shape is both functional and pleasing
to the eye, while also taking exacting pains to ensure drain holes will match pluming fixtures once the vessels have shrunk (a normal
part of both the drying and firing process) to their final size.
Once he has crafted the ceramic sink on the Potter’s Wheel, the sinks are put aside to dry to a state called ‘leather hard’. Depending on
humidity, it takes about three days to achieve this state. Once leather hard, another day is spent trimming the stoneware pottery sinks.
It is here that Ed puts the final touches on the piece to perfect the shape. This is also the last opportunity to affect the pliable clay.
Trimmed, the ceramic sinks are then left to slowly dry, for up to three weeks. When bone dry (no longer cool to the touch), the pottery
sinks are again placed on the Potter’s Wheel where they artfully receive their glazes (colors). To glaze the ceramic sinks, Ed uses a
technique that he learned from a fellow potter (George Scatchard). This glazing technique requires a great deal of skill since glazes are
applied while the bathroom sink is spinning on the wheel, using a brush and an applicator. This method demands an exact application
and can take many years to perfect. It is one of the reasons that Ed’s work shows unique depth, and striping, and why he is able to once
fire his work (no bisque firing). Skipping this bisque firing saves about 70% of the energy used in a glaze fire.
After glazes are applied, another day is spent drying the stoneware pottery sinks. When dry, the art sink then goes into the kiln, where it
fires to over 2200 degrees. This firing takes place over a period of 18 hours. A slow firing time enhances the colors on the ceramic
sinks as well as adds to their durability and hardness. A well balanced clay body, slow firing and slow cooling all add to the excellent
thermal shock properties of Ed’s clay body (thermal shock resistance is what keeps the ceramic sink from breaking as you go from cold
water to boiling hot or vice versa allowing it to expand and contract with the glaze as one). In each kiln load there are usually about three
unique bathroom sinks as well as a few accessories and some glaze tests. Fully fired, the kiln and its load of stoneware sinks has to
cool. Cooling the kiln takes about 15 hours. The Vermont Art Sinks are then ready to receive their drains.
| Vessels: The Process... |
Vanities - Quality... |
| Buy with Confidence… Our goal is 100% satisfaction. As a member in good standing with the Better Business Bureau, and as a participant in the Better Business Bureau's On-line Reliability Program, you are assured that we employ only ethical business practices. In short, we treat you the way that we want to be treated as a consumer. |
Quality of construction is paramount...
All wood construction means that there are not any
pieces of particle board or other boards that may absorb
excess moisture, causing them to expand or bloat.
The joinery that Vermont Art Sinks uses for the
construction of our cabinets is a combination of
traditional and modern techniques.
On the face of the cabinets, where you can see the wood,
we use the best from both new and traditional joinery
techniques. Biscuit joints meet dovetails and mortise
joints to insure long lasting, beautiful joinery.
All wood construction means that there are not any
pieces of particle board or other boards that may absorb
excess moisture, causing them to expand or bloat.
The joinery that Vermont Art Sinks uses for the
construction of our cabinets is a combination of
traditional and modern techniques.
On the face of the cabinets, where you can see the wood,
we use the best from both new and traditional joinery
techniques. Biscuit joints meet dovetails and mortise
joints to insure long lasting, beautiful joinery.
To make the frame of the cabinet, a wide variety of glues, epoxies,
nails and screws are used to insure exceptional strength. This is
why you can mount any top to one of our cabinet bases. They are
designed and built strong enough to hold marble and granite tops.
nails and screws are used to insure exceptional strength. This is
why you can mount any top to one of our cabinet bases. They are
designed and built strong enough to hold marble and granite tops.
Vermont Art Sinks is always considering the quality of its construction and conservation of natural resources. Each base is handmade, hand sanded and a hand finish is applied. Because this process is very labor intensive, each base can take months to create. All of the wood bases are coated with marine grade finishes to enhance their ability to repel water, ensuring that they will continue to look good for years to come. |
This sink is not only green in color, but also 'green' in how it was made. All of our sinks are made from 33% recycled clay. Vermont Art Sinks practices many earth friendly procedures. Recycling our clay scraps into new throwing clay is just one of the many ways we are doing our part to keep the planet green. |
