CHF 8.00
This small vase, about 10 cm tall with its gently rustic glaze, carries the magic of quiet moments within it. It is made to give a single flower a stage, a touch of nature that fills the room with life. Whether on the bedside table, a shelf, or the windowsill: wherever it stands, it brings warmth, calm, and a feeling of being at home. Its simple elegance speaks of comfort and loving mindfulness. With it, even the smallest corners of a home can be transformed into cozy little sanctuaries, delicate, stylish, and full of feeling.
The scope of delivery includes one piece of this small, gently shaped vase. It will be safely and lovingly packaged and shipped directly from our warehouse in Switzerland.
Throwing pottery on the wheel is far more than a craft; it is a sensual experience of movement, form, and patience. Anyone who has watched an unremarkable lump of clay transform under the hands of a potter into a harmonious bowl or vase understands the fascination of this ancient art. But it is not as easy as it looks in the hands of professionals: working on the wheel requires concentration, sensitivity, and above all practice.
Before the clay takes shape, it must be carefully prepared. It is vigorously slapped and kneaded to remove air bubbles and achieve a smooth, even consistency. For wheel throwing, special wheel-throwing clay is used, soft, fine-grained, and without grog, so that it can be shaped comfortably.
Then the true challenge begins: centering the clay. The lump of clay is placed in the middle of the rotating wheel and positioned with both hands. Only when the clay is perfectly centered can an even vessel emerge. This step requires patience and a delicate touch; too much pressure or too high a speed, and the clay loses its balance.
Once the clay sits calm and stable, it is “opened”: with the thumb, a hole is pressed into the center and the base is formed. Here, one must develop a feel for the right thickness, too thin, and the base may tear; too thick, and the vessel appears heavy and clumsy.
Now comes the most exciting part: pulling up the walls. With wet hands, a lot of sensitivity, and controlled pressure, the clay is shaped from the inside out and from bottom to top. Both hands work harmoniously together: one supports from the inside, while the other gently guides from the outside. This is how the vessel slowly grows into its intended shape.
Throughout the process, water and slip are indispensable companions. They ensure that the hands can glide smoothly over the surface. A bucket of water next to the wheel is therefore essential. Many potters swear by adding a few drops of dish soap to increase slipperiness.
Throwing pottery on the wheel means practicing patience, accepting mistakes, and learning to understand the language of clay. Those who embrace it experience not just a craft, but a piece of quiet, creative magic.
Cut flowers, the quiet messengers of beauty, emotion, and transience, are cultivated worldwide to decorate spaces and express feelings. Whether as a delicate bouquet, a splendid wedding arrangement, or a festive floral garland, they are deeply woven into our daily lives and rituals.
The artistic arrangement of cut flowers is the domain of floristry. With proper care, the blooms can stay fresh for several days: freshly cutting the stems, clean water, cool temperatures, and special preservatives extend their longevity. Some florists even experiment with unusual additives such as sildenafil citrate (“Viagra”), which measurably delays wilting. A modern alternative is preserved flowers: by replacing plant sap with glycerin, especially roses retain their shape and color for up to three years.
The global flower trade is a significant economic sector. As early as 2000, the value of the global cut-flower market was around seven billion US dollars. The Netherlands is considered the heart of international flower trading, exporting billions’ worth of cut flowers and potted plants each year. They are followed by Colombia, Ecuador, Kenya, Israel, and Spain. Germany is the largest importer: about one third of Dutch flowers end up in German vases. In 2022, sales of cut flowers and indoor and garden plants in Germany totaled around nine billion euros, with a growing share coming from online flower delivery services, which now generate more than 300 million euros annually.
But the glossy facade has its darker side. Intensive cultivation in tropical countries has drawn criticism: high pesticide contamination, poor working conditions, and environmental damage are widespread. Studies by consumer watchdogs have found bouquets from conventional trade containing more than 20 different pesticide residues. In response, programs such as the Flower Label Program (FLP) and Fair Flowers Fair Plants (FFP) were created to ensure fair and ecological production standards, though neither succeeded economically.
Today, the “Slow Flower” movement sets new standards. Its members, mostly small, regional farms, grow flowers sustainably: without pesticides, using organic seeds, natural predators instead of chemicals, and avoiding plastic. Inspired by U.S. author Debra Prinzing, this movement stands for craftsmanship, environmental awareness, and seasonal beauty, reminding us that true floral splendor arises where nature and people exist in harmony.
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