This is an excerpt from the November/December issue of Tea MagazineTM
Electric Mavis Lighting
Gregory Bonasera (Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia)
“I specialize in porcelain and bone china, actually making it from raw materials as opposed to adapting existing objects. I was involved, however, in a project in 2008 called Before & After. A group of local designers used only recycled product to create everything needed for a temporary restaurant. Electric Mavis was my concept for the lighting.”
Idea: Teacups can be made into stunning candles. Melt down used candles, add a wick and create a beautiful and useful decorative item that may even match your serving pieces.
Find the instructions for this craft idea here.
Vintage teaware cake stands
Rachel Baker - Nancy’s Tea Shop (Swansea, Wales)
“I saw some beautiful cake stands in a shop in London made with modern china and I thought that there must be a lot of vintage china that would make pieces that were just as pretty, if not prettier. I decided to have a go at making some cake stands as wedding presents. Often my stands are made from sets where the other pieces have been lost or broken. By combining the remaining pieces I’m able to bring these graceful and elegant pieces of china back to their former glory and give them a new purpose.”
Tea bead bracelets, necklaces, and rings
Janis Badarau - CrafTea Designs (U.S.)
www.etsy.com/shop/CrafTeaDesign
“For many years I worked as a potter. I decided I wanted to make my own unique beads to embellish my tea-dyed textiles. I learned that crafters were using various substances to give their clay pieces texture, so I thought, why not tea? I mixed some tea into light green clay and was delighted with the results. When the bead is fresh you can actually smell the tea! From that came the natural progression to tea-bead jewelry.”
Idea: Try creating your own tea cup earrings with a few easy-to-find supplies. Make miniature tea cups (or teapots) from polymer clay like FIMO or Sculpey, pierce through the middle and bake as directed. Put a headpin through, make a loop, and add a wire ear hoop.
Find the instructions for this craft idea here.
