So, I’ve been wanting to share this one for a while. It’s about my little adventure making what I now affectionately call the “Love Handles Vase Anissa.” It all started because, frankly, I was sick to my back teeth of seeing the same old boring vases everywhere. You know the type, perfectly smooth, perfectly symmetrical, perfectly… dull. I needed something with a bit of personality, something that felt, well, real.
The Spark of an Idea
I was browsing online, probably looking for cat videos if I’m honest, and I saw this concept – a vase with these little bulges on the side, sort of like love handles. My first thought was, “Well, that’s a bit cheeky!” But the more I looked, the more it grew on me. There was something so human about it, so imperfectly perfect. And then the name “Anissa” just kind of attached itself to the project in my head. Don’t ask me why, some things just click, you know? It felt right for a piece that was going to be all about embracing curves.
Getting My Hands Dirty
Right, so I decided, “I’m gonna make this.” First things first, materials. I already had some decent air-dry clay lying around from a previous project that, let’s just say, didn’t quite go to plan. Lesson learned there: don’t try to sculpt a life-size badger on your first go.
So, for the Anissa vase, I gathered:
- My trusty block of air-dry clay
- A few basic sculpting tools – nothing fancy, mostly repurposed kitchen utensils if I’m being totally honest.
- A rolling pin (also from the kitchen, don’t tell my partner)
- A bowl of water
- And a good deal of patience, which I always seem to be running low on.
I started by kneading the clay. It’s a bit like making bread, really. You gotta get all the air bubbles out, otherwise, things can go pop later on. Not fun. Then I rolled out a slab for the main body. I wasn’t aiming for machine precision here; I wanted it to look handmade.
The “Love Handles” Challenge
Forming the basic cylinder shape wasn’t too bad. I used a tall glass as a sort of internal support to get the height. The real fun, or frustration depending on the minute, began with the “love handles.” Getting those little rolls of clay to look organic and, more importantly, to actually stick to the sides of the vase without looking like weird lumps was trickier than I thought.
I must have made and remade those handles at least three times. First, they were too small. Then too big. Then one was higher than the other. It was like trying to get a toddler to wear matching socks. I used a bit of slip – that’s just watery clay – to help them adhere, scoring both surfaces like you’re supposed to. Still, I was holding my breath, half expecting them to just plop off as it dried.
Drying, Painting, and a Near Miss
Drying air-dry clay properly is key. You can’t rush it. I left Anissa in a cool, dry place for a good few days, turning it occasionally. I almost had a heart attack when I saw a tiny crack appearing near one of the handles. Panic stations! I quickly dabbed a bit of fresh, wet clay into it, smoothed it over, and just hoped for the best. Luckily, it seemed to hold.
Once it was bone dry, I decided to paint it. I went for a sort of muted, earthy tone. I didn’t want anything too glossy or loud; the shape was the star of the show. A couple of coats of acrylic paint, and then a matte sealant to protect it. I thought about trying to make it waterproof enough for real flowers, but honestly, I figured Anissa was more of a statement piece, maybe for dried flowers or just to sit there looking fab on her own.
The Finished “Anissa”
And there she was. My Love Handles Vase Anissa. She’s not perfect. If you look closely, you can see where I patched that crack. One handle might be a smidge lower than the other if you’ve got a ruler out. But you know what? I absolutely love her. She’s got character. She’s a reminder that sometimes the little imperfections are what make something truly unique and, well, lovable.
It was a fun little project. Took more patience than I initially budgeted for, especially with those darn handles, but seeing it come together was pretty satisfying. Definitely beats another boring, store-bought vase, that’s for sure. Maybe I’ll make her a friend next!