Fresh Find for the Home: Mifuko Kiondo Baskets

Combining Finnish design and traditional Kenyan craft, Helskinki-based Mifuko brings us simple beautiful baskets that are truly versatile! Mifuko means "pocket" in Swahili and was founded by Minna Impio and Mari Martikainen in 2009. They work with local artisan workshops and women's groups in Kenya to craft their line of accessories and homewares.

Whether a carry-all when you're on the go or storage for toys, magazines, blankets and everything in between, the Kiondo basket is a treasured addition to the home collection.

Mifuko shares the story of how it began and the women's groups and artisans that craft these baskets in the villages of Kenya .

Shop Mifuko Kiondo Baskets
Photos courtesy of Mifuko

Studio Visit: Sue's Pottery Studio

There's no doubt I have a weakness for ceramics! Whether it's visiting a ceramic studio in New York or Copenhagen, it gives me great joy to pick up our ceramics from the ceramicists themselves as well as learn about the craft. I couldn't be more excited to discover the beautiful work of a group of local potters right here in my own backyard. With over 50 years of combined experience in ceramics, Sue Kang and a collective of amazing ceramicists, including Kelly Kwon and Thomas Akarawa, have been quietly doing what they love under the radar. They design and craft beautiful table ware and sculptural vessels in the California bay area.  They recently started selling them and so happy to introduce their pieces to the world! Nestled in the woods in San Jose, they welcomed me to their cozy ceramic studio which impressively houses both a gas and electric kiln. 

Sue balances teaching pottery while running her beautiful cafe in Saratoga, Sue's Cafe and Gallery. I witnessed a sense of joy, camaraderie and community among these makers, as they create beautiful objects and gather together to share a delicious prepared meal by one of the potters. One of them also brought a box of lemons shared with everyone and was so grateful for my fresh lemons that day.

 

Sue instructing her student.

dark clay use for the tea strainer/ potter's wheel

 I'm in awe and an admirer of the craft,as they explained the different clays, glazes, cone firings and equipment. A cup may be a vessel with a simple use. But beyond the function, it's the sum of materials, the tactile and kinesthetic aspects of the craft, combined with the intuitive creative design and time. Plus throw in the science and magic of the kiln and of course, the passion and hard work of the potter making each piece unique. As I drink out of my favorite tumbler, I'm reminded of the love and care that goes into each piece.

Kelly Kwon with her ceramic pieces

Thomas Arakawa / stoneware and wood-fired vessels

As we catch a glimpse of the process and the studio, it has always been our hope that you share this journey with us to get to know the craft and the people behind the designs that we carry. I have a sincere appreciation for the individuals and the process of each piece that we showcase. We're delighted to support and introduce the beautiful work of these charming, kind and talented group of local makers.

Shop our new ceramics!

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Thank you so much Sue, Kelly and Thomas and all the potters at the studio for graciously welcoming me and teaching me about your craft. It's a pleasure and so inspiring to see your dedication and love of pottery through the years. So grateful to know all of you and learn about the process. Thank you!

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Whether jewelry, accessories or home wares, Vuela has little treasures for your loved ones this Valentine's Day.

Shop Gift Picks:
The Things We Keep earrings / Cinq cuff / Sayaka Davis bracelet / Mute Object Ring / Shino Takeda bowl / Trois Petits Points locket / Micaela Greg scarf / Thomas Arakawa planter / Sue Kang tea cups/ Naoko Ogawa necklace

Vuela Fall/Winter Photoshoot with Jennifer Young Studio

We're so happy to have worked again with Jennifer Young to capture some our favorite Vuela pieces this Fall/Winter season. Here are some lovely images from our photoshoot taken steps away from her beautiful studio in one of my favorite central coast towns, San Luis Obispo.

We love this season's apparel-dresses and jackets from Osei Duro and Atelier Delphine as well as accessories from new to the shop Lotfi and Katrien Reifeiss. We are adore the new bag design from shop favorite Ellen Truijen!

The Things We Keep Jewelry /Osei Duro Jacket / Lotfi Bag / Katrin Reifeiss Moyen Pouch /

Ellen Truijen Bag / Micaela Greg Scarf

Atelier Delphine Antwerp Coat / Osei Duro Aburi Dress

 

 

We're thrilled to present the objects and wares that we've added this fall/winter season. They're well-crafted and well designed pieces destined to become well-used, well loved pieces for your home!

Tina Marie Copenhagen Vase

Takahashi Kougei clock / Pia Lund Vase

Yoko Ozawa Tea Pot / Oji Masanori Brass Trivet / Love Lynsey Wooden Bowl / Nancy Straughan Kitchen Towel

Clib Klap Espresso Cups

Shino Takeda Ceramics / Studio Joo X Vuela Collaboration Bowl

Pia Lund Hapilu Bowl / Romy Northover tea cups

The Gifting Edit: Jen Szeto and Amanda Jane Jones

The holiday season is upon us and we're thrilled to share our gift edit! And for this season, we've reached out to some of our favorite inspiring individuals we admire to curate some holiday gift ideas.

San Fransciso-based Jen Szeto is a force to be reckoned with, not just for her stunning imagery through her Instagram account, Window of Imagination, but for her warmth and beautiful adventurous spirit.  Combining her passion for fashion, climbing, architecture and travel, she pushes the boundaries of styling and photography to create images with such visual eloquence. We're delighted to present Jen's top picks for this holiday season- pieces that feature her love of modern distinctive design yet versatile and hardworking.

We've long admired the work of graphic designer and art director, Amanda Jane Jones. As a founding Kinfolk designer and currently the founder of the beautiful new quarterly Define magazine, she is truly an inspiring lady in how she balances work, love and family. She has curated a collection of gifts from Vuela that embody her love for timeless pieces and beautiful simplicity.
 

SHOP THE GIFT EDIT:

 Jen's Picks: Lotfi tote / Oji Masonori bottle opener / Studio Joo vessel / Slow Studio mug

Amanda's Picks: Bohemia Design hammam towel / Slow Studio mug / Sayaka Davis Necklace / The Things We Keep Ring / Ellen Truijen Wallet 

Please contact us at info@vuelaboutique.com for custom gift boxes! And stay tune for more gift picks soon!

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Thank you so much Jen and Amanda for participating in our holiday gift guide! We're so grateful and blessed to know you and really appreciate your help and support of our small business always!

New Collaborations: Love Lynsey and Katrin Reifeiss

We're delighted to present two beautiful collaborations with amazing local designers and makers featuring the use of textiles and wood. They're beautiful designs a wonderful as a treat for yourself or holiday gift giving. We're  happy to showcase the hand-dyed textiles by Brooklyn-based Katrin Reifeiss.

Given our love for neutrals, she used a grey tone to form a lovely pattern for the versatile Moyen pouch she created exclusively for our shop. With a love for travel and colors, Katrin hand-dyes and crafts her textiles goods specializing in Japanese Shibori. She is also a painter and an instructor at the Textile Arts Center in Brooklyn.

We love the modern vessel using the natural material of wood crafted by Utah-based woodworker Lynsey Schlegel of Love Lynsey. Featuring a simple shape and the beautiful detail of copper, our special collaboration maple bowl is an instant favorite!

Originally from Arizona, Lynsey attended Arizona State University and has a BS in Industrial Design. Lynsey developed her passion for building, manipulating materials and creating dimensional spaces while working as a display artist. She has taken her collective experience in design and display to form her own unique style and point of view to craft homewares and furniture in Salt Lake City. Lynsey's aesthetic is inspired by contrasts and the manipulation of honest materials to create a refined and modern result with a touch of the unexpected. 

Summer Edit: Vuela Goods with Photography by Lydia & Emlie

We're so thrilled to present these amazing images of our fave pieces from our shop this season. These amazing photos are taken by the talented Minneapolis-based sisters Lydia and Emilie. They love to capture beauty, emotion and life through the lenses. And yes indeed! They've beautifully captured our essential goods for use in life whether at home or out and about.

Shop Vuela goods: Trollhagen & Co Creamer / Studio Joo Bowl / The Things We Keep Kitchen Towel / Bohemia Design Hammam Towel / First Rite Dani Tank

Styling and photography: Lydia & Emilie