Buy-bye Ceramics?
Ceramics will always be near and dear to our hearts (and our open shelves). But when we spotted these paper vases by Octaevo — some with graphic, colorful patterns across them, others perforated, and others still with winking-face designs— our own eyes wandered more than a little bit. How did they work, exactly? Without falling apart in our hands, as paper and water tend to do the rest of the time. And, maybe more importantly, where can we get them?
Water-resistant Paper
Made of "special water-resistant paper," the vases can just be left to dry should they get wet when you're arranging flowers in them. We tested splashing a little water on one and none of the colors ran, nor did it appear worse for the wear having dried flat. They ship flat, just two vase-shaped cut-outs stitched together along the sides, with an opening at the top and the bottom. Press the sides in to open the shape up into a cylinder and then slip it over a plain glass vase, a coffee mug, or even a used water bottle — poof, your paper vase is in action! Drop some flowers (or fake or dried flowers) in the top, and be done with it.
A Vase That Draws on Drama
A highlight of the designs, all inspired by the Mediterranean, is a colorful patchwork pattern by French illustrator Atelier Bingo that draws on the drama of Italian volcanoes. But any of them would make great gifts, especially because they can be slipped right into a flat-pack envelope and sent on their merry way. Paper vases probably won't be replacing your kiln-fired vase collection, but we're all about working a few in to keep the shelf — and your flower arrangement — interesting.