Ceramics, like wood objects, are a great love of mine. Its hard to articulate what is so joyful about sipping hot tea from a handmade mug, but it is a deeply satisfying act. Maybe its what the Japanese call "wabi-sabi", or the beauty in imperfection. Handmade ceramics are perfect in their imperfections - you can see the artists hand at work. They feel real and solid. This is a list of ceramics I am currently coveting. What I wouldn't give to own any of these beautiful objects!
1. These beautiful plates by London based artist Hazel Stark are both whimsical and solid. I love her use of color and these simple blues lines are wonderful.
2. Do you use a butter bell? I love mine! Its a traditional method of keeping butter soft and preserved using a simple mechanism of water of suction. If I didn't already have one, I would snatch this beauty, by Ants Pottery. I love the jumping hare on the front. Hares are moon animals and have a special place in my heart.
3. What could be better than a ceramic garland? By artist Angela Hodgkinson, its as if tiny little ceramic sculptures are dangling from string.
4. I love big mugs. Big, sturdy mugs for holding lots of hot herbal teas. I may need to think of a reason to buy myself a gift, because this one by the Folk Art Pottery Guild is perfect.
5. I love this simple graphic that mirrors your own hands as you would hold the bowl. I am envisioning a big bowl of ancient grains with roasted veggies and pine nuts being served to the table in this. By Flat Earth Studio.
6. Kismet Pottery makes these lovely ceramic plant markers that would make a fine addition to my garden. I love that they are white and would eventually get the earthy color of soil and plants on them.
7. This tiny ceramic cup by Shino Takeda is a child's cup - the handle is so sweet.
8. How did I not know about jewelry bowls? How brilliant is this? I have tried a million ways to organize my jewelry and I always end up just taking it off and leaving it on my dresser. This is the perfect answer to my dual issues of laziness and need for organization. By Tracy Shea.
Oh, I could list more and more. But perhaps I will save that for part II (closer to my birthday maybe??) I f you have an ceramic object you love, please share - I would for my list to grow! .
X.Aja
