For this design, we focused on using the pen tool, the reflect tool, the gradient tool, and the mesh gradient tool. We used the pen tool to draw half of the outline of our vase, then we made a copy and flipped it with the reflect tool (joining both with shapebuilder). Then we played around with the gradient tool, doing both linear and radial gradients. We also used the mesh gradient tool, which is what I decided to use for my vase. For the flower petals we drew 3 shapes, reduced their opacity to 50%, and overlapped them. And finally we drew the stems and leaves with the pen tool and pieced everything together.
Reed Seely 