Burrs & Berries » Ceramics

Spotlight on Talent: Alexa Lixfeld

Oct 122010

Hamburg cross culture innovative designer, Alexa Lixfeld, creates dreamy, pretty things out of concrete as an alternative for ceramics in household items, tableware collections bringing together the rough aesthetic of concrete, and the smooth, delicate beauty of urushi laquerware.

Stunningly gorgeous handmade vessels made of solid colored porcelain, matt and glazed in a variation of colors and sizes, a range of perfume bottles with concrete tops evoking architectural beauty, handwoven cashmere blankets, cushion covers and luxurious shawls made from the undercoat of the himalayan mountain goat. Wondrous vessels with tension-loaded forms and proportions reveal the tangible qualities of the material. Stains, spures, dying, crazes and fractures of the mould removal leave behind the perfect imperfections of the manufacturing process.

(images: alexa lixfeld)

Up in the Air Somewhere

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Aug 222010

Happy Monday! I’d like to begin this week with some beautiful inspiration from Up in the Air Somewhere, a shop filled with gorgeous ceramic pieces and paper items hand made by Chicago-based artist and designer Susan Dwyer.

Susan graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago with a focus on sculpture, and soon after was inspired by the clean and minimalist aesthetics of industrial architecture to create a line of ceramic and papier- mâché vessels. From silos to warehouses and water towers mirroring the Chicago landscape, Susan hand builds stunning and elegant vases, votives and planters into one-of-a-kind pieces. With a soft and natural color scheme, the ceramic and papier-mâché products maintain a very organic and delicate aesthetic, coming in a variety of shapes and sizes from round bowls, to oval tubes, square bases and long cylinders.

The hand made quality in Susan’s work is a huge part of the result of course, creating a personal and familiar touch to the work, making them come alive with love and personality. The form of each product is unique, and the texture also makes these ceramics so appealing to display in your home, don’t you think? The Scandinavian style of the white and gray pitchers, and yellow and gray cups make them perfect for the kitchen, with clean lines and utilitarian design they are durable and easy to use. And where can you find a pitcher this gorgeous? You can find the list of retailers across the US that carry Up in the Air Somewhere’s stunning line here on their website.

Do you have a favorite piece? The thin papier-mâché bowls, designed to perfection with a white base and a touch of yellow or gold color on the inside, are my favorites from Up in the Air Somewhere. They could be stand alone art themselves, but they are also functional to hold dry food or other small items like rings or beads.

(images: up in the air somewhere)

Loyal Loot Collective Log Bowls

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Jul 092010

Happy Friday! The weekend is finally upon us, so let’s look at some exciting design inspiration together. Formed in 2004, The Loyal Loot Collective is based out of Edmonton in Canada, and is the individual and collaborative work of Doha Chebib, Carmen Douville, Dara Mumniski, and Anna Thomas.

These artists all maintain varying perspectives and knowledge, sharing a common dedication to creating an eclectic mix of beautiful and functional objects which posses an inherent value that will endure and remain loved.

I found the Log Bowls by artist Doha Chebib most interesting and captivating, mostly through their high contrast between the rough, natural logs and modern, glossy finish in the colorful bowls. Even more impressive is that each bowl is handmade using only locally reclaimed trees of all varieties that have fallen or were cut down due to infrastructure, re-landscaping, droughts, or stormy weather. The trees are all hand selected, gathered, turned and finished. Tell me, are you completely drawn to these stunning bowls, that also make great display accessories?

(images: loyal loot collective)

Cynthia Vardhan Ceramics

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Jul 072010

Cynthia Vardhan is a ceramic designer working in Ohio, with a degree in fine arts, and a diverse and beautiful body of handmade work that you are just going to love!

Cynthia produces gorgeous collections of tableware and vases that are intricately detailed. The wide range of bright colors in her patterns and paintings creates such a rich contrast with the translucent porcelain that she uses for her pottery. Each piece is hand decorated with pigmented clay and occasionally, patterns are applied with relief printing, giving the pieces their distinctive raised patterns and great visual depth.

Cynthia’s ceramics are so gorgeous in all their color, decorative patterns, lines and shapes, as all these elements create the perfect balance of an art piece that also serves as a functional object. I would love a few vases to display in my home, and put a few stems in them, and some tableware as well to display on open shelving. Such art!

If you would like to order Cynthia Vardhan Ceramics, her work is available in fine boutiques across the U.S, in addition to shows that she participates in and also in her own Etsy shop.

(images: cynthia vardhan)

Paloma's Nest Handcrafted Heirlooms

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Jun 172010

Paloma’s Nest is a handcrafted modern heirloom company founded in 2007 by designer Caroline Colóm Vásquez. Paloma’s Nest creates modern heirlooms made from clay, wood, porcelain and cloth; best known for inventing the original Ring Bearer Bowl™, but now offers ornaments, text bowls, stationery, wooden decorative products, tabletop products and other keepsakes.

Paloma’s Nest just recently introduced their latest “Little Bird Collection: For Baby and Family” which includes a variety of pieces for very affordable prices that you can purchase from their website. Some of their new products that you can find include Baby Plaque, Initial Ornaments, Baby’s First Plate, Custom Baby Hanger and Mother Tiny Text Bowl.

Caroline describes the new line as “My newest collection is inspired by today’s modern family, who are looking to establish their own traditions with a modern spin, while still honoring the past. By creating work that commemorates the sweetest occasion – a new child, and the emotion connected to that occasion – I hope that these timeless pieces convey devotion, playfulness and love.”

This is such a great idea isn’t it? And it works really well for those of us who love the meaning behind heirloom items, but still prefer the modern design. The work is so clean, functional and beautiful, Paloma’s Nest is definitely on my must-buy list whenever I will be ready to start a family!

And you? Would you buy something from here for your baby?

(images: paloma’s nest)