Craft

Vanessa Bean

Last year you might recall we did a little gift guide in collaboration with Etsy, and there was ONE piece which you guys really, REALLY loved (and we did too). It was the sweetest handpainted ceramic vase, with a friendly, cartoon-like face, made by Sydney based Vanessa Holle, aka Vanessa Bean.

Today we finally follow up with a visit to Vanessa’s Sydney studio, and a closer look at her cheerful ceramic creations.

Written
by
Lucy Feagins

The Sydney studio of ceramicist Vanessa Holle aka Vanessa Bean. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Studio details. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

A vase in progress in the studio of Vanessa Holle. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Vanessa Holle of Vanessa Bean in her Sydney studio. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Studio details. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Vanessa at work in her studio putting the final touches onto her face vases. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Studio details. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Vanessa Holle of Vanessa Bean in her Sydney studio. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

Writer
Lucy Feagins
4th of July 2016

After working as a graphic designer for ‘20ish’ years, Vanessa Holle discovered ceramics around six years ago. She took a community college evening course in porcelain jewellery, and by her own account, became ‘instantly hooked’. For a couple of years, as she honed her skills, Vanessa balanced graphic design projects with ceramic experiments, but these days her sole focus is her ceramics, which she sells online and via exhibitions and studio sales.

Vanessa’s designs are inspired by a sense of joy and playfulness. ‘I am drawn to figurative sculpture, and have always loved the idea that everyday functional objects can be given a personality, whether it is animal or human’ she says.

‘I can’t help putting a face on most of the things I make!’ – Vanessa Holle.

Vanessa makes various ceramic things, but her most popular offering are her vases, with their simple, endearing painted faces. In fact, they have a cult following! ’I sell around 30 vases every three weeks or so through my Etsy store as a batch release’ Vanessa explains. ‘They go pretty quickly, and unfortunately it is a bit of a scramble for the purchaser and can be stressful, but seems to be the fairest way.’ Vanessa’s next batch of vases is timed to go live this Thursday 7th July via her ETSY store – jump on it!

Vanessa Holle of Vanessa Bean in her Sydney studio. Photo – Nikki To for The Design Files.

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