The Exotic Teapot

This stunning teapot by Davina Romansky is the winner of The 2009 Saul Bell Award in the hollowware category.   This category must use either silver or gold that is spun, drawn, raised and or forged.  Decorative casts or components are permissible.   This prestigious award has challenged silversmiths and jewelry designers around the world to submit innovative pieces for near a decade.  Metalsmith artists believe the teapot is the most challenging of pieces to create and relish in the accomplishment once mastered.  This one is certainly a masterpiece.

Climbing to the North Pole would be arduous for anyone.  Warm clothing, a reliable tent plus dehydrated and complex carbohydrate foods would most likely be the staples in such backpacks.   But two Americans proclaimed that the 26 oz teapot they packed was the best item they could have taken.  Because of the pot’s durability and size, the two men were able to melt snow blocks, boil water and use for storage while hiking.  Starting the trek in Canada at Ellesmere Island, the Americans made what is called the “hardest trek on the planet” with their teapot in just two months.     

These little pigs are born small enough to fit in a teacup.  The miniature swine is gaining acceptance as a replacement to the teacup pet poodle.  Additionally, it is claimed the tiny ones, growing to the adult size of a Cocker Spaniel, are smarter than a dog.  Apparently they can learn and perform tricks.  I wonder if they can learn how to brew a cup of tea?      

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. 

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.  

Mary Dorsch believes in recycling.  Her studio consists of old shelves and old carts.  Her clay she reuses, making round vessels then with the remains making squared pieces, such as these glorious squared teapots.  Her unused clay, she stores in old plastic bags and the energy used is from wind power.  The pots cracked from the high heat in kilns she gives to mosaic artists.  Do you know that quality loose tea leaves can be used more than once?

If you haven’t visited a wine and spirits shop in the U.S. you may be surprised at the variety of tea infused vodkas on the shelves.  Even the finer pubs and bars, especially in southeastern USA, vie for the most unique tea infused martinis and cocktails.  Southerners have always been known for drinking sweet iced tea; most restaurants in the region assume that when you order tea, it is to be iced and laden with sugar.  No wonder sweet tea infused vodkas have caught on so quickly.  One brand warns that even the daintiest of belles can drink a mason jar full before feeling fuzzy.