The Exotic Teapot

I am sure that we all have at one time or another seen something floating in our teacup that we didn’t think should be there.  But these ceramic cups have little creatures intentionally placed in the interior at the base.  When the warm tea is consumed, brilliantly hand painted butterflies, ducks, turtles, dog faces, bees, cats and hippos slowly become visible to delight tea drinkers as they reach the bottom of the cup. 

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.

There is an art to displaying your favorite masterpiece on the wall.  Its surroundings make all the difference in how it is appreciated.  I have found the same for blossoming teas.  First, you would not buy a painting that is musty and crinkled; therefore, only buy flowering teas that are individually wrapped and not crammed in a tin.  Second, be sure there is ample space to visualize the work of art:  the teapot needs to be large enough for the flower to fully bloom.  Third, lighting is what adds drama or draws attention: place blossoming tea in a clear glass teapot, preferably with a votive tea-lit candle below the pot.  The advantage of blossoming tea masterpieces are that you can experience many and never spend what you would on an original oil painting.