The Happy Heart Boho Bud Vase - Nerikomi Inlay

To expect - nothing from a piece of experimental pottery -
and to receive - HAPPY!
I wasn’t even going to fire this little "Boho Bud Vase".

This vase consists of many nerikomi inlay pieces pressed into a wheel-thrown bud vase.

Nerikomi color is embedded into the clay.
The colors can be wedged - and wedged - and wedged into the clay OR . . .
Place the color with the porcelain in an OLD food processor (never to be used with food again). Add some water, spin, spin, spin.
Empty contents onto a plaster bat, and allow to dry before placing this very wet clay (slip) into a storage container or plastic bag.

When working nerikomi, think - jigsaw puzzle.
Small sections of color added to other small sections of color to produce a little painting, if you will.

Bohemian fashion style - Bohemian, or boho, fashion is a relaxed, free-spirited style that incorporates natural fabrics, retro patterns, and flowing silhouettes.
It's often associated with a romantic, nomadic lifestyle. 

Tribal prints, paisleys, and florals are all common motifs in bohemian fashion.
Mix and match different patterns for an eclectic look that's all your own. 

Bohemian fashion originated as a counterculture movement in France following the French Revolution, where artists and writers, often living in poverty, adopted a nomadic lifestyle and began wearing clothes that reflected their unconventional way of life, drawing inspiration from the Romani people (often called “Gypsies”).

Bohemian fashion is associated with the hippy era - HELLO!

I acquired inspiration for this vase from looking at Pinterest - Bohemian style fabric flowers, and fabric art.

Stripes with floral patterns, checks - colors gone wild.
It made my heart happy for some reason.
Perhaps it’s because the colors are bright, and the patterns and textures appear spontaneous.
Fabric artists are exceptionally resourceful; using scraps, and vintage fabrics to create one-of-a-kind art.
Hand stitching and machine embroidery combined on a piece of fabric.
Sometimes threads are left hanging, sometimes buttons and beads are sewn in to the artwork.

It’s a textural feast for the eyes!

So . . . I thought I’d try this on a piece of pottery - Why not ?!?

Since the colors of colored porcelain do not show up until the vessel is heated to high temperatures, I didn’t realize how bright this little vase would be.
I actually removed it from the kiln without really noticing it!
After the rest of the pottery was removed and examined - THEN I noticed the colors and textures.

I was almost disappointed that I liked it, and how this little vase could make my heart happy.

Sometimes my experimentation with colored porcelain is so different from all of my other experiments, that I can’t even imagine making such a vase.

My attempt at fabric flowers in ceramic porcelain is - acceptable.

There is another larger hand-built vase that has not been glazed or high fired yet, with the same aesthetic.

It’ll be a little wait before that one enters the kiln.

This little Boho Bud Vase is available in our handmade ceramic pottery shop here: