The Exotic Teapot

January 2009 my New Year’s Resolution was to follow one teapot artist’s work and rejoice in her accomplishments.  I chose Faraday Newsome who resides in the desert with her ceramic artist husband Jeff Reich.  Besides exhibiting in numerous shows throughout the year, the couple upgraded their website, joined a group of philanthropist to help museums and started a newsletter to inform us all of upcoming artsy events.

It was such an enjoyable and obtainable resolution I think I’ll repeat it for 2010.  I look forward to learning more about glass artist Elaine Hyde over the next 12 months.  I do hope you'll join me .   

Once the collection of teapots, or any other adorned object, has for five+ years become a dutiful exercise the question of displaying them then surfaces.  There should be no reason to not expose these precious pieces.  However, keep in mind that it is the teapots to highlight and not the shelving or furniture piece.  Nonetheless, the latter should help accentuate the collection.  One collector of mini teapot ornaments placed her pieces in an old soda pop crate that ultimately frames each little pot.  Another collector chose to paint the shelving a colour that compliments her assorted teapots.  There are many options of how to do so; these will hopefully inspire you to consider exhibiting your own collection.

I am sure we have all experienced boredom.  To pass the time I’ve never thought about blowing water from a teapot.   Apparently others have.  In fact, the images below are submitted by participants who competed to see how far and accurate s/he could perform this task.  Not only is it an unusual contest but one of the objects chosen to blow the water into is odd to say the least. 

Everyone loves tea at Christmas!

Tea drinkers decorating for the holidays will especially appreciate these images this time of year.  All are vintage glass tea-ware ornaments.  If you haven’t a collection perhaps you should start; there are many wonderful antique teapot ornaments waiting for purchase on various bidding web sites, most likely admired by us tea fans.

I’ve always been fond of mint teas, especially during the Ho Ho holidays.  This herbal tea has a refreshing taste and fabulous aroma.  Also, a cup of warm mint tea is a winning combination with the many chocolate sweets served this time of year.  Plus, peppermint tea helps with digestive problems and is known to relieve stress, both of which commonly occur in December.  These adorable tea sets are encouraging you to sit down and relax with a cup of mint tea. 

Since 1832 Waechtersbach has been making colourfully shaped ceramic dinnerware for everyday use.  My favorite of their patterns is the Christmas Tree, especially the teapot.  All of the pieces included in the pattern have a contemporary green tree with bright white garland that flawlessly compliments the brilliant red background.  Because of its simple design and sturdiness, the pattern continues to be chic and will withstand decades of use.

This tea cosy fits over a 5-6 cup teapot.  It is made of Alpaca wool with a stag horn button for fastening.  This piece and all other Ruth Cross’ products are entirely made in the UK.  The alpacas are reared locally; other used wools are from Scotland.  Each piece is hand crafted by British workers.  Her products are washed with eco-friendly detergent and hung to dry.  These attributes are to a certain extent what makes her tea cosies so desirable.

This teapot is clay but shaped by hand.  The pot’s exterior is then layered meticulously by hand with a collage of paper.  The paper is handmade, not from a manufacturer.  The handle is willow.  The willow branches are moistened then shaped by hand to form the arch.  The hands that made this ceramic fiber teapot total four.  Two are from husband; two are from wife.  Christine and Michael Adcock are the pair that made this one teapot. 

Sabine Bruner, featured in a previous blog, has a dear friend that also is a ceramic artist.  Even though now living in different continents, the two continue to appreciate each other’s tea ware.  Linda’s pieces are simple but elegant.  She uses glazes that are satiny smooth.  She interchanges the exterior and interior of the vessels with subtle tones.  Notice the unique shape of the teapot spout and minor dimples in the cups...what a nice touch.

We all are amazed with or at something.  Then, with friends and family we typically share our fascination via words or photographs.   Rarely do we decide to attend academic classes and become an understudy for a Chinese brush painter so to reproduce our beloved interest.  This is exactly what Bonnie Belt did.  Moving from an arid region to a locale full of grape vines and conifers Bonnie fell in love with trees, vines and lush evergreens.  She was determined to replicate this fascination onto teapots and other vessels.  Now, I am fascinated with her teapots.  

This “Cat and Mouse” teapot is based on Japanese pop culture referred to as ‘kawaii,’ meaning cute or adorable.  When making ceramic pieces ‘cutesy’ is Sabine Brunner’s goal.  Using bright colors and innocent subjects for embellishment she hopes her hand built teapots and jewelry bring a smile to every viewer’s face.  Sabine’s whimsical outlook allows her to recognize the charm associated with a sleeping cat or tail wagging dog, both pets that she regularly emulates on bowls, cups and pots.   

Like Marian Baker most artists love what they do.  This is one reason she makes teapots, cups and sets.  The other reason: to enrich the lives of others with functional art.  Marian sees them as "a bridge between art and daily life." Her glazes of earth tones with Japanese influenced form are utterly soothing.  There are numerous pieces to admire on Marian’s website, none for purchase. 

Sara Chieco has a Master’s degree in Computer Information and Sciences.   Her resume (CV) reveals years of experience as a software engineer.  Yet she has been the Volunteer Coordinator of over 250 artists for a major annual US festival for four years.  Plus, she has a website of her own ceramic art designs.  If you look at Sara’s tea ware pieces they do resemble informational technology symbols even us non-techies recognize 

Learning to use a potter’s wheel requires balancing clay, water and motion in order to form the desired shape.  Artist Julie Cline believes there is much more to creating an appealing teapot.  It requires: (1) the correct mixture of smooth red earthenware clay, (2) just the right proportion of eastern and western influence design, (3) then, selecting an accurate mixture of varying tinted glazes and lusters to create stripes and patterns.  This is what she believes is the ‘ideal balance.’ 

     Being a family man with young children this artist has answered many “What if” questions.  He readily admits he has learned from these youthful, thought provoking ponders.  He applies this theory when practicing pottery.  Such questions he tries to answer are: What if I roll this teacup in ashes before firing or what if I make this saucer bigger?  He shares his excitement of experimenting with pottery via his Annual Clay and Canvas Camp for kids.  This ash tea cup and saucer is just one example of his what ifs.