limited edition #101 post it

7423622825869

During a beach clean-up near Bari, Italy, Foekje stumbled upon this little bear, who looks a lot like Robijntje. Once his little body was filled with liquid washing detergent or fabric softener and his place was on top of a washing machine. But now he washed up ashore and never told us how he ended up there, we expect it was a long journey.

This little bear comes in a edition of 200 pieces and they are hand numbered at the bottom. For this edition Elzeline Kooy designed a box with a lively deep sea scene that gives this laundry softening bear the dark and dirty edge he needs, silk screen printed with two colours on a stapeled carboard box with insert.

the bottle vase project

The Bottle Vase Project started with a collection of plastic waste found in the river Maas in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. After reading about the growing problem of plastic pollution in our oceans, Foekje began looking more closely at the river running through her hometown. Among the rubbish, she found plastic bottles that had been accumulating there since the 1960s.

These discarded bottles became the starting point for something new. By creating durable, colourful porcelain copies of the plastic bottles she finds, Foekje aims to draw attention to the ever-growing problem of plastic pollution and give these familiar objects a very different life.

Production

Each Bottle Vase starts with a plastic bottle found by Foekje, which is used to create a mould. Pigmented porcelain is then cast into the mould, glazed on the inside with a lead-free glaze and fired at over 1300°C. As each vase is largely handmade, small variations in shape and colour are part of what makes every piece unique.

Colours

The colours are inspired by plastic bottles faded by the sun and sea. Pigments are mixed directly into the porcelain rather than added as a coloured glaze, while the inside is glazed to make the vase waterproof.

Because kiln temperatures can vary slightly, each vase develops its own subtle colour nuances. Colours may also appear slightly different depending on screen settings and lighting.

Care Instructions

Wash with warm water, mild soap and a brush, then dry on a clean towel. For grease stains, apply soft soap and leave it overnight before cleaning.

The vase is best kept indoors in a dry place to protect its unglazed exterior. It can also be used to store liquids. A cork is recommended if the bottle is to be sealed.

Limited Editions

Each year, one or two limited editions are released. These vases are hand-numbered and presented in a special handmade collector’s box. The Bottle Vase series is handmade near Aveiro, Portugal.