Design Academy Eindhoven graduate Erika Emeren has turned a traditional cake-making technique into a method for forming unique ceramic vases.
Emeren's Ornament Now: Cake Vases are created by applying slip clay to a rotating cylinder of papier-mâché using a piping bag, similar to those used in pastry making and cake decorating.
Each vase is then fired and glazed to create a glossy, brightly coloured finish. The process means that every vessel has a unique shape.

The production method is based on the tradition of making Spettekaka, which translates as spit-cake, a traditional confection from Emeren's homeland of Sweden.
The cake is made by baking batter around a dowel used for spinning. A similar technique can also be found in traditional cakes in other European countries like France and Poland.
"I grew up in the countryside where folk culture plays a big role, but as a designer I felt a lack of contemporary influences," said Emeren.
"While researching folk art today, I found interest in the DIY movement, domestic crafts and baking as a modern day response to historical folk art. Both in DIY and folk art, decoration is very important, both in a symbolic way but also as a way to make things beautiful."

Emeren developed the technique with help from technicians at the European Ceramic Workcentre in Oisterwijk while studying on the contextual design masters at Design Academy Eindhoven.
The bright glazes are a reference to the artificial colour...