If you’re looking for a truly unique piece of home décor that tells a story, the Souvenir by Wonderable is exactly what you need. This isn’t just any upcycled ceramic vase—it’s a beautiful fusion of traditional craftsmanship, sustainable design, and clever creative thinking. Each Souvenir vase is handcrafted by skilled Thai artisans and adorned with quirky Dutch tourist trinkets, making every piece one-of-a-kind and absolutely fascinating.

When I met Carla Peters, the founder of Wonderable, at IMM Cologne this year, I was immediately captivated by her vision and passion. Wonderable isn’t just another design company—it’s a mission-driven enterprise dedicated to supporting traditional craftspeople in developing countries. As Carla explains it: “We place our design talent and marketing expertise at the service of traditional craftspeople from faraway lands. In this way we contribute to the creation of skilled jobs and prosperity for people in these countries. The great thing about it is, the more Wonderables we sell, the more beautiful the world gets.”

This philosophy perfectly embodies what sustainable living and ethical consumption should look like. Every product sold directly supports communities and preserves ancient ceramic-making traditions.

How the Upcycled Ceramic Vase Comes to Life

The Souvenir vase has a fascinating origin story. Years ago, a Thai ceramics factory manufactured hundreds of tiny Dutch tourist trinkets destined for shops throughout the Netherlands. When tourism demand shifted and sales stalled, boxes of these delicate miniatures sat unused in the workshop, taking up valuable space.

Rather than discarding them, Wonderable saw an opportunity for upcycling brilliance. These forgotten trinkets now adorn handmade ceramic vases, giving them new purpose and character. Each upcycled ceramic vase is truly unique because artisans hand-select which miniatures go on each piece—you’ll never find two Souvenir vases that look exactly alike.

Craftsmanship That Shows Through

The attention to detail is remarkable. Each Souvenir vase is produced by Sang Arun, a traditional family ceramics business based in Lampang, Northwest Thailand. This region has earned its reputation as a ceramics hub, home to numerous producers who have perfected their craft over generations. Sang Arun specializes in efficiently and sustainably producing large series while maintaining the integrity of handmade work.

What makes this upcycled ceramic vase special is the hands-on approach:

• Every vase is hand-painted by experienced decorators with years of expertise
• Thai craftspeople sign and date the inside rim of each piece before shipping
• Each vase receives a hand-painted ceramic disc with its unique number
• The entire process honors both traditional techniques and sustainable practices

Why This Matters for Sustainable Living

Choosing an upcycled ceramic vase like Souvenir is more than just buying a decorative object—it’s making a conscious choice for ethical consumption. You’re supporting skilled artisans, preserving traditional craft knowledge, and preventing waste from ending up in landfills. The trinkets that once seemed destined for obscurity now shine as integral parts of beautiful functional art.

If you appreciate other Wonderable designs like the Hallelujah, you’ll love how this collection consistently combines social responsibility with stunning aesthetics. These pieces deserve to be displayed prominently in your home—they’re conversation starters that celebrate both creativity and conscience.

Design by Wonderable