Ceramic Vase and Plaque Craft Kits: Which Should You Buy?
By Michaels Canada | Published: 2026-10-15
Category: Comparisons
Compare the Jonathan Adler x Michaels geometric vase and Pompidou Plus plaque kits on price, size, design, and finish difficulty so you know which DIY ceramic project fits your decor and skill level.
Quick Answer
Choose the Jonathan Adler x Michaels 7.5" Geometric DIY Square Ceramic Vase if you want a functional, three-dimensional piece with an offset geometric pattern that takes paint and metallic accents well. Choose the Jonathan Adler x Michaels 8" Pompidou Plus DIY Ceramic Plaque if you prefer a flat, looping design that is easier to tape, stencil, or keep symmetrical. Both are unfinished ceramics from the same limited collection, so the real decision comes down to shape, display style, and how much surface you want to cover.
What You Actually Get With Each Kit
Both pieces arrive unfinished, meaning you supply the paint, brushes, and sealer. The vase is a 7.5-inch square ceramic container with an offset geometric design molded into the surface. That raised pattern gives you natural lines to follow, but the curves and corners mean you will need a detail brush to keep edges crisp. The plaque is an 8-inch flat ceramic square with a linear, looping design. Because it lies flat, you can rotate it as you work and avoid fighting gravity while painting vertical sides.
- Vase: functional container, 7.5 inches, offset geometric pattern, best for bold color blocking.
- Plaque: flat display piece, 8 inches, looping linear pattern, best for metallic accents and precise line work.
How the Designs Change Your Painting Approach
The vase's offset geometric pattern creates strong diagonal movement. If you paint each facet a different hue, the shape reads as modern and sculptural. If you use one color, the pattern still catches light because of the molded relief. The plaque's looping design is more graphic and forgiving. You can fill the loops with alternating colors, outline them in metallic, or leave the recessed areas unpainted so the ceramic shows through. Neither kit includes a color guide, so plan your palette before you start. Test your paint on the bottom or back first, because unfinished ceramic can absorb differently depending on the finish you choose.
Price and Display Trade-Offs
The vase is catalog-priced at USD 4.03, compared to USD 6.39, and the plaque is USD 3.90, compared to USD 6.39. The plaque costs slightly less, but the vase gives you a usable object once finished. That matters if you want decor that does double duty. The vase can hold dried stems or sit as a sculptural accent. The plaque is purely wall or shelf decor, so it needs a spot where the looping design can be seen straight on. If you are buying for a gift, the vase feels more substantial because it has volume. If you are buying for a first painting project, the plaque is the lower-risk choice because mistakes are easier to correct on a flat surface.
Trade-Offs at a Glance
- Functional vs. decorative: The vase can hold items; the plaque is display-only. If you need decor that earns its space, the vase wins. If you want a pure art piece, the plaque is simpler to place. Pick the vase for use, the plaque for wall or shelf impact.
- Flat vs. dimensional painting: The plaque lies flat, so you can rotate it and keep your hand steady. The vase has four sides and an open top, so you will need to reach inside or hold it carefully while painting. Beginners and detail-focused painters should lean toward the plaque.
- Pattern complexity: The vase's offset geometric design creates sharp angles that reward crisp color blocking. The plaque's looping lines are more forgiving and work well with metallic accents. Choose based on whether you want bold geometry or flowing lines.
- Price difference: The vase is USD 4.03 and the plaque is USD 3.90 at catalog prices, so the cost gap is small. The bigger investment is your paint and sealer. Let the shape and finished use decide, not the few cents difference.
Product Facts
- Jonathan Adler x Michaels 7.5" Geometric DIY Square Ceramic Vase: Unfinished square ceramic vase with an offset geometric design, 7.5 inches, from the Jonathan Adler x Michaels limited edition collection. The molded pattern gives you built-in guidelines, and the square shape means you need to paint four sides evenly if you want a consistent look.
- Jonathan Adler x Michaels 8" Pompidou Plus DIY Ceramic Plaque: Unfinished ceramic plaque with a linear, looping design, 8 inches, from the Jonathan Adler x Michaels limited edition collection. The flat surface makes it easier to tape, stencil, or paint with a steady hand, which suits detailed metallic work and symmetrical color placement.
- Jonathan Adler x Michaels 9.25" Brown & Black Wood Grain Ceramic Taper Candle Holder: Jonathan Adler x Michaels 9.25-inch brown and black wood grain ceramic taper candle holder with an art deco abstract shape. If you want to build a coordinated tabletop display, this finished piece pairs with either DIY project and shows how the collection mixes bold shapes with neutral tones.
Which Kit Fits Your Project?
Best for
- Crafters who want a functional vase for dried stems or shelf styling
- Painters comfortable working on vertical surfaces and curved edges
- Anyone building a modern, geometric decor moment with bold color blocks
Not for
- First-time painters who want the easiest possible surface to control
- Shoppers looking for a finished, ready-to-display piece
- Anyone who prefers a flat canvas for stenciling or taping precise lines
