At a time when almost everything can be ordered with a single click, items with a personal story gain new value. It's not just about their function or appearance. It's about the relationship we build with them. The feeling that they are irreplaceable and that they were created with care.
In a studio surrounded by clay, glazes, and tranquility, ceramic objects are created that are not only beautiful but also authentic. We spoke with Radek Mička, designer and founder of the VKUSE brand and the creative studio VisionFolk, about his journey to ceramics, the importance of craftsmanship, and the power of slowness.
What led you to ceramics?
Craftsmanship is in my blood – ceramics have been made in our family for several generations. But for a long time, I perceived it more as a backdrop. It wasn't until 2020 that I first sat down at the wheel, and I was immediately drawn in. Working with clay has something deeply calming about it. You are fully present, and we need that more than ever today.
Why did you decide to found VKUSE?
I wanted to create a brand that connects tradition with modern design. Ceramics in our country often remain either purely utilitarian or too decorative. I am interested in the middle ground – things that are beautiful but also fully functional. VKUSE is about balance, quality, and authenticity. And also about doing things slowly and meaningfully.
How would you describe the style of your ceramics?
Simplicity, naturalness, contrast of matte and gloss. I like calm colors, earthy tones, but sometimes I allow myself a bolder glaze – for example, with a blue or iridescent transition. Each piece is original. Even if I make the same shape, the glaze always lives its own life. That's what I enjoy most about it.
What materials do you prefer to work with?
I really enjoy working with local materials that are close to our environment. I primarily use stoneware clay, which is strong and has a beautiful texture, but I also like working with porcelain, which acquires a softness and purity after firing. Both materials allow me to create unique pieces with character. I finish them with natural glazes, often with transparent transitions that highlight the texture and color of the ceramics.
What is your relationship to the word "craft"?
Strong. For me, craft means humility, the opposite of instantaneity. It's a skill that cannot be rushed. Things created by hand carry time, effort, and concentration within them. And people recognize that – things with a soul have a future.
What inspires you?
Nature, silence, the landscape around me. Also architecture, textures, the light in the studio at a certain time of day. Sometimes the material itself inspires me – when I see how clay behaves in my hands, an idea emerges from it.
What can we look forward to next from VKUSE?
We plan to expand our product range with new shapes and techniques, but also with products that complement ceramics – for example, paintings, bags, or wooden kitchen accessories. We want to develop VKUSE as a brand that brings style, aesthetics, and tranquility to everyday life.
And a final question – what does "vkuse" mean to you personally?
To live with good taste ("vkuse" in Czech) means to be sensitive to detail, not to rush things, to choose quality over quantity. It's a balance between functionality and beauty. And most importantly – to do things with heart.
Who is behind the VKUSE brand?VKUSE is an original project by the VisionFolk-Design studio. Everything is created locally – from design to the final product.
Ceramics are a wonderful and practical material that deserves attention not only when choosing but also during everyday use. Whether you own a vase, bowl, mug, or other ceramic accessory from our studio, with a little care, it will serve you for many years. In this article, we bring you several simple tips on how to properly care for ceramics.
1. Gentle Handling as a Foundation
Ceramics are strong yet fragile – especially when impacted. We recommend handling products with care, particularly when washing or storing them on shelves. For vases or bowls, it's advisable to place them on a soft surface or mat.
2. Handwashing is Best
Even though some ceramic products can withstand a dishwasher, for handmade and glazed ceramics, we recommend gentle handwashing with lukewarm water and a mild detergent. Avoid abrasive sponges or chemical cleaners – they can damage the glaze surface.
3. Beware of Thermal Shocks
Ceramics do not like sudden temperature changes. If you pour hot water into a cold mug, it can crack. Do not heat ceramics directly on the stove or in the oven unless explicitly designed for baking.
4. Long-term Storage
If you don't use ceramics every day, store them in a dry and safe place. When stacking multiple pieces, we recommend placing soft textile between them to prevent damage to the glaze or edges.
5. Natural Aging as Part of Beauty
Ceramics, like wood or leather, can develop a patina over time. Fine hairline cracks in the glaze (called crazing) are common and do not reduce functionality – on the contrary, they add character and uniqueness to the product.
Every Piece Deserves Care
Ceramics from our studio are the result of handcraft, patience, and respect for the material. When you care for your pieces with love, they become not only everyday helpers but also a lasting part of your home.
Do you have a question about caring for a specific product?Feel free to contact us at info@vkuse.cz – we'll be happy to advise you.
At a time when everything is speeding up and the world around us is overflowing with cheap, mass-produced products, more and more people are turning back to slowness, to authenticity, and to things that have a soul. It is precisely from this approach that our creations at the VKUSE ceramic studio emerge.
Ceramics as a Way to Slow Down
Handcrafting ceramics is a process that cannot be rushed. Each piece goes through several stages – from kneading and shaping, through drying and the first firing, to glazing and the final firing. Every touch, every fingerprint leaves its mark on the product. This is why each piece is original. It is not a perfect copy, but a living object with character.
Meaningful Design
At VKUSE, we combine traditional craftsmanship with modern, timeless design. Our products are created with an emphasis on aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability. We find inspiration in nature, its colours and shapes – whether it's the blue of the sky, the earthy texture of clay, or the organic lines that appear in our work.
A Conscious Choice
When you acquire handmade ceramics, you are not just buying a mug, a bowl, or a vase. You are buying a story. The story of the person who created it. You are buying a peaceful moment to enjoy coffee in the quiet of your home. You are buying value that endures.
Thank you for supporting a slow and honest approach
Thanks to you, we can do what we love – create beauty that lasts. Thank you for choosing quality over quantity, for choosing with your heart, for seeking depth even in everyday things.
Ceramics is more than just a material. It's a way of life.
