Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Latest Product:Fortune Telling Teacup



I like a good challenge. 

About a year and a half ago, I pitched making my own version of a fortune telling teacup to Anthropologie. This product design project represented a huge leap for me because what I proposed required me to move beyond ceramics as a design medium: I had to design the cup and saucer in addition to packaging.

Now, the fortune telling teacup had to have instructions; how else would anyone know how to read the leaves? I thought that using the format of a traditional tarot card would serve as a fun and magical device for the directions. After the clumps of tea wind up in the bottom of the cup, you consult your cards. The cards help to define the symbols on the cup and give meaning to your reading. Obviously, there’s some room for interpretation!

It’s always been a secret dream of mine with my roots as a studio potter to design tea packaging. So, when my teacup design was put into production, I approached Anthropologie about offering tea as a product to sell alongside the teacup. I know that if I were to purchase the cup, I would want loose-leaf tea to go with it. Delighted by the idea, the folks at Anthropologie agreed.

I definitely pitched the loose-leaf tea idea to Anthropologie with my favorite local tea company Tea Guys in mind for the project (here in Western Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley) When I approached Tea Guys about designing labels for five of their flavors they were more than happy to oblige.

I set about quickly to design labels. Initially, Anthropologie wanted a small order from Tea Guys. Over the next few months the order grew and grew—until it became one of the largest orders that Tea Guys had ever had to fill.

Fill it they did, though. You can find yourself a fortune telling teacup and tea at Anthropologie. I can’t wait to hear about what your future holds!



8 comments:

Swiss Cottage Designs said...

i am in love with this idea and your work- well done!

Unknown said...

Thanks so much! I had A BLAST designing every component. I cant wait to see what else we come up with in future collaborations!

Unknown said...

I bought the Fortune Telling set and love it but I do have a question: Inside the cup there is a picture of a bird but ther is NO corresponding care for the bird. Is this an oversight???
I sure hope someone can explain this!!!
Thank you,
Jeanie

Unknown said...

I bought the Fortune Tea Set and love it but - there is a picture of a bird on the inside of the teacup and it does NOT have a corresponding card. Is this an oversight???
Shouldn't there be a card for the bird?
I sure hope someone can explain this.
Thank you,
jeanie

Unknown said...

@ Molly: You are right--the original production didnt include a bird card! If you email me your mailing address at: molly@mollyhatch.com, I will forward your contact info to Anthropologie--they have extra cards waiting to go out to folks like you!

Thanks for being in touch--happy fortune telling!

Unknown said...

Thank YOU so much!!! I just sent you an email with my contact info!!! I really do appreciate this. I am a huge fan of your work. Just love it.
Thank you again,
Jeanie

Unknown said...

Thank so much, I just sent you an email with my mailing address - Please look for an email from jwayker.
Thank you so much,
Jeanie

Unknown said...

Hi Molly, I just wanted to follow up on the Bird cards - I sent you my mailing address via email - did you get it? Will Anthopologie be sending me the bird cards?

Please let me know,
Thank you VERY much,
Jeanie
(aka molly mills)