THE BIRTH OF THE VASES — LARGE and SMALL

A behind‑the‑scenes story from the Charlie Mahon Ceramics studio

Well now… after I don’t know how many years of gentle nudging, bold suggestions, and the occasional raised eyebrow, Charlie Mahon has finally accepted the gauntlet thrown at his feet:  “What exactly are you afraid of when it comes to making vases?”  As it turns out, the answer is wonderfully simple — space in the kilns… and a healthy dose of laziness. 

In fairness to him, the man hasn’t exactly been sitting around contemplating life. Between wholesaling, online orders, and running our shop in the English Market in Cork, Charlie has been juggling four full collections, sculptures, framed art pieces, and the general chaos of being a one‑man creative tornado. Time — and kiln space — were always in short supply. But recently, with a conscious decision to ease back slightly on wholesale, something lovely has happened: Charlie has rediscovered the joy of experimenting.  And with that freedom came the birth of two new favorites in the studio — the Large Vases and the Small Bud Vases.

THE INSPIRATION — COLOUR, MOVEMENT & A BIT OF IRISH MADNESS

If you’ve followed Charlie’s work for any length of time, you’ll know he doesn’t do “quiet.”
He doesn’t do “neutral.” And he certainly doesn’t do “minimalist.”
So when it came to vases, he leaned into what he loves:
•     Bold brushstrokes
•     Expressive movement
•     Colour that refuses to whisper
•     Characters with personality
•     Shapes that feel alive

Some vases carry the energy of the Mackerel Fish — that sense of motion and mischief.
Others echo the warmth of the Grá Collection or the charm of the Witty Sheep.
And some are entirely new — abstract, emotional, and full of artistic freedom.

HOW THEY’RE MADE — A LITTLE BIT OF MAGIC & A LOT OF MUD

Each vase begins on the wheel, thrown in stages to achieve height, balance, and strength.
Large Vases require:
•     Thick, even walls
•     Slow, steady pulling
•     Careful drying
•     A bisque firing that doesn’t warp
•     Enough kiln space to avoid bumping into neighbors.

Small Bud Vases, meanwhile, are the studio’s little joys — quick to throw, delightful to paint, and endlessly varied.

Once thrown, each vase is:
•     Trimmed
•     Dried
•     Bisque fired
•     Hand‑painted
•     Glazed
•     Fired again
Every brushstroke is done by Charlie’s hand.
Every colour is mixed in the studio.
Every piece is one‑of‑a‑kind.

WHY PEOPLE LOVE THEM — FUNCTIONAL ART WITH HEART

The Large Vases have become statement pieces — the kind of pottery that anchors a room. They’re bold, expressive, and unapologetically full of character. The Small Bud Vases, on the other hand, are pure charm.
Perfect for:
•     A single flower
•     A sprig of eucalyptus
•     A wildflower picked on a walk
•     A windowsill moment of joy
They make beautiful gifts — small, meaningful, and full of Grá.

HOW TO STYLE THEM — SIMPLE, NATURAL, BEAUTIFUL

Large Vases
•     Tall branches
•     Dried grasses
•     Big, dramatic blooms
•     Or nothing at all — they’re art in their own right

Small Bud Vases
•     One perfect stem
•     A tiny posy
•     A wildflower from the garden
•     A cluster of three for a gorgeous tablescape

A FINAL WORD FROM THE STUDIO

What started as a challenge — and a bit of slagging — has turned into one of the most joyful additions to the studio in years.
The Large Vases and Small Bud Vases represent something important:
Time reclaimed.
Creativity rediscovered.
And the freedom to play again.
We hope you love them as much as Charlie loved making them.