The Exotic Teapot

Let your cup store your cookie? For a teetotaler there is a perfect cup which has a shelf right underneath for cookies or any goodies that you might want to munch on while reading or tapping on those computer keys. This is a modern stylish ceramic cup that has got a cookie shelf and it certainly saves you the bother to carry an extra dish. Now you will always have a free hand and added space on the table. A multitasking cup for sure!

All of his adult life Brian Molanphy has studied how to make things.  As a college student he studied bookmaking and papermaking.  While participating in a European bicycle tour, he became intrigued at wood fired stoves and kilns.  So he decided to learn how to make breads, pastries and ceramic pots.  Then, after getting his master’s degree in ceramics, he decided to teach others how to make things.  Yet, he continues to make things of his own, especially decorative ones such as this porcelain cup and ceramic teapot. 

Imagine attending a party full of brainless ladies holding cups that have fingers and saucers that appear to have the ability to walk off the table.  The concept and sculpture is that of Ronit Baranga’s, created for his solo exhibition “Shells of Wings”.  Additionally, Baranga received honorable mention in the designbloom® “dining in 2015” competition for crafting finger walking teapots, cups and saucers.  Has the Mad Hatter Tea Party theme met its match?

The Andes and Catalina Mountains are as extraordinary as the ancient civilization surrounding them.   The steep parallel chain of crisp, tinted rich brown terrain, capped with bright white snow are what influences the ceramic style of Venezuelan artist José Sierra.  His teapot and mug designs express the lines and shapes of the landscapes; his collection of glazes coincides with the mountains’ colours.  Interestingly, Sierra’s pieces are associated with that of contemporary art. 

I stumbled across a fun quiz to test one’s knowledgeof tea etiquette.  Thus far, the average score is 42.5/100.  Less than 3% of testers passed the test.  These are the easier True/False questions:

1.      If serving tea at a tea party or high tea, lemons should always be in wedges, not in slices.

2.      If you are at a formal tea party, it is proper to keep your gloves on while drinking tea.

3.      Traditionally a tea cup holds 6 ounces.

4.      It is proper etiquette to hold your pinky in the air while bringing your teacup to your mouth for a sip.

The quiz can be found at:

http://www.quizmoz.com/quizzes/General-Etiquette-Quizzes/t/Tea-Etiquette-Quiz.asp

A 13 year study conducted by Dutch researchers recently reported results of tea consumption in relation to heart disease.  Daily drinking of three to six cups of tea, compared to one cup drinkers, was linked to a 45% reduced risk of death from heart disease.  But drinking over six cups per day dropped the percentage 10%.  Having two to four cups of coffee only reduced the risk 20%. 

Using a tea bag can be convenient and accommodating.  Whether traveling or taking to work, bags allow drinkers to place their favourite loose tea and desired amount in each bag.  All that remains is to obtain some hot water, a cup and stirrer.  This teabag mug and saucer alleviates even further the complications that could be associated with making tea.  Simply place the teabag in the position permanently marked on the cup, fill with water, stir then place the spoon as shown.

After artist Chris Longwell makes a ceramic teapot or cup he acknowledges that he cannot leave it alone.  He nearly becomes obsessed with making impressions on the surfaces, usually only one specific mark or symbol.  Then, to the symbols Chris will apply a variety of glazes.  As the teapot is fired in the kiln, the multiple glazing techniques mesh, drip or enhance the multitude of symbols, giving each its own individuality.  He associates the outcome to that of viewing a field of corn.  Each stalk has its own maturity stage but when looking at the field it appears as a symmetrical pattern.     

Using an exotic teapot is one sure way to impress guests at a dinner party.  Additionally, there are other simple serving techniques that will surprise your company: 

·In lieu of spoons, place cinnamon sticks in each cup of black tea;

·Freeze rose buds in ice cube trays then add to chilled tea;

·Add infused lemon balm or lemon verbena to tea.  Place lemon zests around saucer to accentuate;

·Use a flowering tea in a clear glass teapot so your guests can watch the flower bloom right before their eyes.

Robert Lawarre grew up working in the family’s aerospace company.  This is where he learned to hand build parts like a machinist and fabricator.  When learning ceramics, he combined his previous skills to pottery.  Because of his appreciation for family traditions he chose to apply these aforementioned theories to Yixing teapots, bowls and cups.  His tea ware is a patchwork of surfaces made from discarded car belts to taillight lenses, which are then washed with multiple glazes.   

Tomasz Bobrzynski claims he is a child of digital age.  It is apparent after viewing his amazing photographs.  However, Tomasz does not just have technical skills he has the artistic ability to select subjects that are awe inspiring without manipulation.  Then using his proficiency and photographic experimentation he magnifies or suspends the action associated with the matter.  This is what the makes the visual image so fascinating.       

This contemporary white teapot was designed by Joaquim Bastos, an Industrial Design student at Escola Superior de Artes e Design in Caldas da Rainha (Portugal).   Its circular, sleek shape in basic white constitutes an unobtrusive but modern elegance.  The shiny steel stand magnifies the teapot’s globular form.   Serving white tea, pouring into white teacups or bowls would certainly harmonize and enhance the décor this teapot was designed for.

If you ask Melanie Sharpham how to make a teacup she will tell you that: you must: love to get your hands messy; love that clay is unpredictable; love that you can transform dirt into something tangible, and; love to get so focused that nothing else matters.  For Melanie, she also loves the native Western Australian flower called gums.  The pastel colours and designs of the flowers are what she emulates in her teacups and mugs.  Serving a flower herbal tea would be a fabulous compliment for these cups.

Stefanie Kaspar and Christof Kaspar are the designers of this proposed functional 3-in-1 teacup.  As shown below, the red spoon is actually part of the saucer.  It sleekly appears as the spout of a teapot.  But actually the white base is a bone china teacup.  The purpose of the spoon cup is to slide a used teabag out of the cup into the bottom of the spoon saucer to hide its unsightly appearance. 

The art of paper folding, origami is not as easy as it looks.  Just as throwing a teapot on a potter’s wheel, it takes much practice and patience.  The difference is the wheel is round like a teapot, cup or bowl and rotates in a circular motion to aid in the creation whereas the paper is folded on a flat surface to create a 3-dimensional object.  Taking on such a challenge likely requires a true fan of tea and is possibly not even chosen by the origami artist unless a passionate drinker.

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?      

If you like fuzzy or feathered creatures with a whimsical overtone and brilliant, glossy colours then you are sure to appreciate Lynda Corneille’s teapots, cups and sets.  From her studio in British Columbia, Canada, Lynda has been creating award winning, world-wide collectible ceramic pieces for 39 years.  This pot is from her series entitled “Sealed with a Kiss.”  The red-lipped kiss is on the bottom of each piece.  A great gift idea for cat and dog lovers!

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. 

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.

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.